The China Experience: Reflecting on the Last Two Years

When I "signed up" to come to China, I did it looking forward to a more enjoyable job, less hours, less responsibility, and a new adventure. I have not been disappointed. China has been all of things, but also so much more. So, I want to take some time to reflect on my China experience and what I have learned, as my time here is coming to a close and I am beginning to plan my return to America.

 

China: even restaurants tout locally-grown fresh vegetables - and often meats too

Even restaurants tout locally-grown fresh vegetables - and often meats too

 

So many things have changed within me, where I've been challenged and grown beyond any capacity I ever thought possible. Many of my friends and I chuckle that you should never pray for patience, as you will be taught patience by being given many opportunities to practice it.  I feel there are so many of personal attributes that I've been given lots of time to "practice" throughout my time in China: patience, trust, gentleness, and self-control.  A ride on a metro with way too many people who lack a sense of personal space, a day trip to find a specific item you desperately need, or simply trying to order food at a restaurant is usually always a test of many of these.  But, on the other side of this experience, I can say I am a more patient, gentler, slower-to-anger version of myself.  

 

Traffic, crowds, noise, and chaos are always present and can be an easy trigger for angst

Traffic, crowds, noise, and chaos are always present and can be an easy trigger for angst

 

I love China and Chinese culture.  Before I came, I did not.  Mostly because I had no clue.  I spent some time in Japan when I was younger, so I was auto-tuned to say I "preferred" Japanese culture over Chinese, and when first committing to come to China, I really wished it was Japan.  On top of my very limited personal experience, I had biases gained through general opinion, and again, totally ignorant stigmas:  It has been my experience that many Americans still view China as unknown territory, a scary place who has alienated itself through much of its recent history and whose government still chooses many ideologies that are so foreign and "wrong" to us.  But, at the end of the day, just like in America, the choices of the national government have little affect on our day-to-day living.  I have come to realize China is just as "free" as America (in some ways more so) in one's ability to pursue a "happy life."  I have come to love the traditions - like serving tea endlessly to a guest who comes for a visit; the nature of the people - friendly (albeit sometimes a little invading by American standards), respectful, serving, idealistic; the way of life - utilizing public transportation with fewer personal cars, daily shopping for fresh food at the "wet markets", a sense of community as people gather in public spaces every evening.    

 

Streetside vendor selling her locally-caught fish that are dried on the shoulder of the black asphalt where she's selling

Streetside vendor selling her locally-caught fish that are dried on the shoulder of the black asphalt where she's selling

 

There are a couple "Chinese ways" that I have embraced and hope to carry back to America with me.  One major lifestyle changed that I have enjoyed embracing most is a simplified lifestyle.  I didn't realize how overwhelmed and stressed I was by "stuff" until I didn't have it anymore.  Living in a 400 sf apartment with only 2 suitcases full of belongings lightened a load I didn't know I was carrying in my America lifestyle. This part of Chinese life I hope to carry back to America with me, learning that less is more and all of our stuff is not necessary.  I also hope that I can continue to embrace the Chinese way to spend time daily going out (walking or biking) for fresh food in the open market, not a chaotic grocery store. Since I know open markets aren't the daily norm in America, I look forward to investing some family time in raising some of our own food. China has spoiled me in that I want to be closer to my food source.

 

China:  Many families have a roadside garden on any small available plot

 Many families have a roadside garden on any small available plot

 

There is one major event from our time in China, however, that will forever alter the course of our lives and permanently tie us to this beautiful land and its people. Never in a million years did I think that my one-year teaching adventure would turn in to the opportunity to adopt TWO beautiful Chinese daughters. My personal faith makes it easy for me to see that God had a plan all along, letting me follow my "whim" for a Chinese adventure, knowing that here, I would find my daughters.

 

I want less stuff and more "this" in my life.

 

 

 

 

 

Joslynn is the China Editor for Wandering Educators. Her husband has dubbed her "former Marine and roller derby queen" - two descriptors that represent her hardcore nature and adventurous spirit. Joslynn currently lives in China with her 13-year old son and 2-year old foster daughter on what started as a year's adventure while her husband is working in Afghanistan. She is an English teacher at a college in Guangdong Province and spends her free time traveling, writing, and visiting a special group of local orphans.

Joslynn recently completed her Master's degree in Community Economic Development and hopes to return to the United States this fall to begin her PhD. 

 

Photos courtesy and copyright Joslynn J. McLaughlin