Zhengzhou, China, twenty ninth Jul 2024 – When Daniel Welker delved into Asian research as an undergraduate again in the US, he had no concept that the seemingly informal curiosity would later carry him throughout the Pacific to begin a life in China.
Welker hails from the U.S. state of Kentucky and has lived in China for 12 years. He has discovered his second residence in Luoyang, one of many cradles of Chinese language civilization and the capital of 13 dynasties.
Over time, Welker has immersed himself within the native tradition, having fun with specialties like spicy soup, carrying conventional Chinese language clothes to feasts and even choosing up some native dialects.
In recognition of his contributions and love for the town, Welker was formally appointed as a “city ambassador” by Luoyang.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities China has allowed me to have,” he stated, reflecting on his experiences and the bonds he has shaped with a rustic over 10,000 km from his hometown.
Welker majored in anthropology and minored in Spanish and Asian research in the US. “East Asia has some differences that I wanted to understand better, so I added Asian studies. At first, it was seemingly a casual interest, but then it grew stronger,” he stated.
In 2011, he launched into his first journey to China and got here to Henan the next 12 months to pursue a Chinese language certification program within the province. Initially planning to remain for only one 12 months, Welker discovered himself studying a lot that he prolonged his keep for an additional 12 months and finally met his future Chinese language spouse.
After ending his research in 2014, he moved to Luoyang to work as a overseas language instructor at Luoyang Regular College and Luoyang No. 2 Overseas Language Faculty. What was initially supposed to be a one-year stint changed into two years, then three and in the end 12 years now.
As a instructor, Welker is popular with his college students, although he often must be strict. He fastidiously observes their efficiency and grades them based mostly on their English fluency and energy.
Every faculty 12 months, Welker prepares presents for the highest three college students, together with books that he significantly loved throughout his center faculty years.
Talking of his Chinese language college students, Welker stated most of them have clear targets for the longer term and are actively pursuing them. He was deeply impressed by the English proficiency of some college students.
“These kids are really driven, and they crave knowledge. They want to affect the world in a positive way, being a good representative of their own country,” Welker stated.
He added that he was additionally captivated by Henan’s profound historic and cultural heritage. “If you want to see the beginnings of China, you should go to Henan.”
Luoyang’s wealthy historical past and cultural depth, from landmarks just like the White Horse Temple, the primary Buddhist temple in China, to its distinctive native customs, are extremely spectacular, Welker famous.
He believes it is a land the place custom and modernity converge, with contemporary air prevailing more often than not and infrastructure, akin to subways, repeatedly being developed.
When discussing cultural exchanges between China and the US, Welker sees nice potential.
In his spare time, Welker enjoys creating movies of his metropolis excursions in China and sharing them on-line to advertise Chinese language tradition.
“Luoyang is getting more cosmopolitan than it has been in centuries since its heyday in the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907). It’s getting more international ties. I hope the world sees more of Henan,” he stated.
Talking in regards to the relations between China and the US, Welker stated the 2 international locations have had their commonalities and variations. “If we can focus more on the commonalities and keep improving our relationship, I think that we can do some really great things.”
Media Contact
Group: Luoyang Day by day Group
Contact Individual: Liu Xinyu
Web site: https://xinhuaxmt.com
E mail: Ship E mail
Metropolis: Zhengzhou
Nation: China
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