Back in the classroom and homesick

It’s still exciting to be in Beijing, but the homesickness has hit. I knew it set in when I started craving very American food and marking off days on the calendar. Yes-I have a countdown to my flight home. It’s part of the process and will subside soon. In the meantime, social media apps and FaceTime are keeping me connected to the people and places I miss. Also, there are some really cool things happening in Beijing.

Part of my fellowship agreement is to give four public lectures in Beijing. Because I don’t necessarily listen to instructions and love teaching, my public lectures have developed into a group research project. It will be amazing! I’m so excited to work with young adults from around the globe on research that can be developed by each of them for individual projects later in their studies. It’s such a cool opportunity. I may have discovered my true teaching passion. Teaching research methods is pretty much my favorite classroom experience EVER.

In addition to the lectures, I’m also participating in a filmed documentary, an upcoming documentary conference, and taking field trips with a group of international students. (I have always been a field trip fan.) This week, we visited one of the last ghost markets in Beijing. A ghost market is like a flea market, but it doesn’t start until nearly midnight and closes by dawn the following morning. It was crowded, dirty, full of bargaining and negotiating, and fascinating. I had at least 10 ideas for research projects that could be done in the market. We were yelled at and chased away by a man who had preserved tiger feet for sale. It was marvelous. And, as a bonus, we ate “dirty food.” Dirty food is the literal translation for unhealthy food sold by street vendors. Delicious!

To get through this bout of homesickness, I’ll continue to make friends and create adventures. Although sitting in my apartment and watching Netflix is tempting, I can do that anywhere, and there’s a big city full of new experiences waiting for me outside. 

He played his violin for me during today's FaceTime chat.

Telling me all about the items he wants from the book order at school.