The Outlook got a chance to sit down with Ping Zhang, an adjunct Chinese and foreign language professor. Zhang was asked 62 rapid fire questions without time to give much explaination. This is what she said:
Outlook: What part of China are you from?
PZ: Beijing.
Outlook: How many years did you live there?
PZ: More than 40 years.
Outlook: Did you live in any other parts of China?
PZ: Yes.
Outlook: What is your favorite memory while living in China?
PZ: The people and the food.
Outlook: What is your favorite place in China to visit?
PZ: Xi’an, my hometown.
Outlook: What do you miss the most about China?
PZ: My family members and Chinese food.
Outlook: How is the culture different from America?
PZ: In America, things are done via email, while things are done on the phone and at the meetings.
Outlook:Do you ever go back?
PZ: Not recently.
Outlook: Does your family still live there?
PZ: Yes.
Outlook:Where did you go to college in China?
PZ: Beijing.
Outlook: What did you study in college?
PZ: Business English.
Outlook: What made you want to study that?
PZ: Because of my interest in English.
Outlook: Did you attend any schools here in America?
PZ: Yes.
Outlook: Did you teach in China before coming to America? If so, what did you teach?
PZ: Yes, English.
Outlook: What made you want to be a teacher?
PZ: I like to work with students.
Outlook: What made you want to leave China?
PZ: My interest in the English language.
Outlook: When did you learn to speak English?
PZ: Grade six.
Outlook: Is English a dominate language in China?
PZ: Not an official language, but a popular 1st foreign language.
Outlook: Was it hard for you to learn?
PZ: No.
Outlook: How long did it take?
PZ: I am still learning.
Outlook: If you could be fluent in another language what would you pick?
PZ: French.
Outlook: When did you come to America?
PZ: Four years ago.
Outlook: Why did you choose to come to America?
PZ: Prior education experience.
Outlook: How is the physical appearance of China different from America?
PZ: Huge parking lots with less people in malls.
Outlook: What made you want to live in New Jersey?
PZ: My job.
Outlook: Do you like New Jersey?
PZ: Yes.
Outlook: What is your favorite place in New Jersey?
PZ: The beach.
Outlook: Have you lived in any other states?
PZ: Yes.
Outlook: If you could live in any other place where would it be?
PZ: Virginia.
Outlook: What made you choose to teach at Monmouth?
PZ: The Chinese program and the inviting professors and staff.
Outlook: How long is the commute from your home to Monmouth?
PZ: Within 10 minutes.
Outlook: How long have you been teaching here?
PZ: Three years.
Outlook: What is your favorite thing about Monmouth?
PZ: The warm smiles at the MU campus.
Outlook: What is your least favorite thing about Monmouth?
PZ: The pizza.
Outlook: What is your favorite lunch spot here?
PZ: Student center.
Outlook: What do you order?
PZ: Salad.
Outlook: If you weren’t teaching Chinese what would you teach instead?
PZ: International Business.
Outlook: If you had another profession other than teaching what would it be?
PZ: A position related to international business.
Outlook: Since Monmouth is right near a beach, do you ever visit it?
PZ: Yes.
Outlook: Are there beaches in China?
PZ: Yes.
Outlook: What are some of your hobbies outside of teaching?
PZ: Cooking, Tai chi, reading, listening to music
Outlook: Do have any interest in the activities here at Monmouth?
PZ: Yes.
Outlook: Is there a Chinese club on campus?
PZ: Is Chinese Student Association considered a club?
Outlook: Do students have a hard time learning the language?
PZ: The American students do.
Outlook: Do you get a lot of students willing to learn the language?
PZ: No, only seven-12.
Outlook: What is your favorite kind of student?
PZ: Open-minded and ready to explore in different culture.
Outlook: What is a pet peeve that some students do?
PZ: Student’s comment: “that is strange.” It means students are not ready to understand and appreciate different cultures in global settings.
Outlook: Why do you like being at Monmouth?
PZ: Wonderful, supportive professors, the administrative staff and the beautiful campus.
Outlook: Are there any activities that go on at Monmouth that are dedicated to Chinese culture?
PZ: Yes.
Outlook: If so, what are they?
PZ: Chinese festival celebrations & Foreign Language Festival in November.
Outlook: When are they?
PZ: Mid-Autumn Festival in September and Chinese New Year in February.
Outlook: Do a lot of students participate in the activities?
PZ: A lot of Chinese students.
Outlook: Do other faculty members participate?
PZ: Yes.
Outlook: Why should students take Chinese?
PZ: To discover appreciation of another culture, become open-minded, and to become competitive in the job market.
Outlook: What profession/professions do you think has the Chinese language in demand?
PZ: International business, interpreter/translator, ESL/ Chinese teacher
Outlook: Is Chinese a common language in America?
PZ: In cities where there is a big Chinese population.
Outlook: Are there study abroad opportunities in China for students here at Monmouth?
PZ: The summer program with Prof. Wang from the Computer Science Department.
Outlook: Who is eligible?
PZ: MU students.
Outlook: What university in China is it affiliated with?
PZ: Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications and Xi’an University of Science and Technology.
Outlook: What part of China is it in?
PZ: Nanjing: east part of China; Xi’an: central part.
Outlook: To end, what is your favorite Chinese word?
PZ: 开心 (kai xin) – Happy
PHOTO COURTESY of Nicolette Accardi
