Chinanews.com, Nanjing, December 5th. Topic: The Nanjing complex of foreign teachers: falling in love with the beauty of the ancient capital and leaving behind the warmth of humanity
Chinanews reporter Shen Range Yong
"I came to China for the first time, and I fell in love with Nanjing because of the beautiful scenery of the ancient capital; I have lived here for more than ten years, and our family is even more reluctant to part with it because of the warm and human touch here." Ivana Davidovic from Serbia, this year 42 years old, has lived and worked in Nanjing, China for 12 years. Currently, she is the teaching director of the Sino-American class in Nanjing No. 13 Middle School.
Ivana is 42 years old and has lived and worked in Nanjing, China for 12 years. Currently, she is the teaching director of the Sino-American class in Nanjing No. 13 Middle School.
Photo by Ge Yong
Over the past 12 years, from a foreign student studying in China to a foreign teacher who taught in Nanjing universities, middle schools and primary schools, Ivana made her home in Nanjing and her heart in Nanjing.
The school where Ivana is currently teaching is a prestigious school with a very long history in Nanjing.
In front of the piano in the public area on the third floor of the school, if you open the Chinese pattern window, you can see the ancient pagoda behind the green trees. The stone fences and red eaves on the campus, gray walls and green trees form a scene. This is the China that Ivana has loved for many years. wind.
"In 2006, as a China fan, I set foot on this land for the first time. During that trip, even though I only stayed in Nanjing for a short week, I became fascinated by this city. It's like from this window The scenery is the same as the outside, there are both ancient buildings with a long history and comfortable modern city life. In 2010, when I decided to study in China, I only had one destination, which was Nanjing.”
With its ancient buildings with a long history and comfortable modern city life, Nanjing deeply attracted Ivana's family.
Photo by Ge Yong
"At that time, I came to Nanjing with me, as well as my husband and my eldest daughter who was born not long ago." Ivana told reporters that the family who had just arrived did not expect to live here for more than ten years.
"After studying Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages at Nanjing University, I suddenly realized that just two years of study and life are far from enough to understand Chinese culture. Fortunately, I was awarded a doctoral program and had the opportunity to continue studying in China."
"After graduating with a Ph.D., I was even more reluctant to leave Nanjing. My husband found a job as a basketball team coach, my eldest daughter has already attended a local primary school in Nanjing, and my youngest son who was born in Nanjing is growing up. I started my teaching career in China "Ivana talked about her family's life in Nanjing and couldn't help sighing that Nanjing is really a city full of life charm. "The family likes to go climbing in Zijin Mountain on weekends. As long as you walk into the green forest, you will feel like you have entered the city. Fairy Tale World, no matter how many times you go throughout the year, there will be surprises. Although the working days are busy, if you have time to take a walk by the Xuanwu Lake next to the school, that would be great."
A happy family: "We love this place so much. For our family, this is another home." Photo courtesy of the interviewee
"Every time I chat with my relatives and friends in Serbia, I will warmly invite them to come to Nanjing to play. I seem to have become a voluntary publicity ambassador for Nanjing." However, Ivana added, this complex for Nanjing is not Not only because of the beauty here.
The reason why the family is nostalgic and unwilling to leave is more because of the people in Nanjing.
"Nanjing people are always so enthusiastic, polite, and willing to help people." Ivana remembers an incident when she first arrived in Nanjing. "At that time, my Chinese was not very good, and I was not familiar with the surrounding environment. But I don’t know how to take her to the hospital. In my anxiety, I can only call a friend I just met, and she simply said a word on the phone, “Don’t worry, I’ll ask for leave right away to take you to the hospital.” , and then accompanied us to the hospital to register, see a doctor, and get medicine. Now this friend has become a close friend of our family for more than ten years."
"When I walk on the streets of Nanjing, whether I'm shopping or running errands, if I encounter difficulties, there will always be enthusiastic Nanjing people who come to help me patiently. I don't know how to describe these details in Chinese." Yi Wan Na thinks that this may be the tolerance in Chinese culture, which allows a foreign family to live and work in peace and contentment here.
As a foreign teacher who has taught in primary schools, middle schools, and universities in China, Ivana also passed on this warm harvest to her students in another way.
Ivana passed on the warm harvest to her students in another way.
Photo by Ge Yong
"It was in China that I made up my mind to become a teacher." Ivana said frankly that when she was young, she didn't intend to make teaching a career in her life. "Until one day, I taught English to students in a Chinese primary school. The child who speaks too much English shyly said to me in Chinese, 'Teacher, I can't speak English'. I also whispered to her, 'I will help you, let's study together'. When I saw this child follow me With one sentence, when she finally could answer my questions in English, the smile and excited expression on her face made me deeply feel how meaningful the profession of a teacher is."
"I like the atmosphere in Chinese schools very much. I am always happy for the students who have made changes and progress through hard work." Every time Ivana receives greetings from the students, she is more determined to continue in China confidence as a teacher.
"My daughter can speak Mandarin with a Nanjing accent, and my son has recently learned a lot of ancient Chinese poetry. Their Chinese is much better than mine. Our family loves Chinese food, although I have never learned how to cook it in stir-fry. Put 'just the right amount' of seasoning." Ivana said with a smile, "We love this place so much, it's another home for our family." (End)