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Like many pages on my website, this page is under re-construction. Thanks
for your patience.
This page is under construction.
抱歉，当前内容正在建设中！
In 1985, Michael studied Mandarin on at Xiamen University. In 2011, he
joined the faculty, teaching English to International Economics and Trade
sophomores.
This is the "old campus" of Xiamen University (with Gulangyu Island in the
distance) in 2005 (Xiamen is pronounced something like "she-ah-men").
Michael spent two years here (1985-87), studying Chinese. Xiamen
University is recognized as one of China’s leading universities, and
also has one of the most beautiful campuses anywhere. A
1000-year-old temple is just out the university gate (you can see smoke
rising from it). Xiamen University is nestled between the ocean (on the
left) and the mountains (on the right); Andrew loved
climbing up the mountain with Michael, both in 2002 and 2005!
Back in 1985, the city of
Xiamen had about a million people; the 2010
census reported a population of 3.5 million. While this is far smaller
than any of the other Chinese cities we've lived in (click here for info),
it is still huge by American standards (the state of South Carolina has
only 4.5 mil and Ohio has about 11.5 mil).
This is Xiamen University's "new campus" in Zhangzhou,
across the bay from the old campus. In 2011, Michael started teaching
here. All of the XMU students on this campus are sophomores or freshmen,
but they are joined by all four grades of Tan Ka Kee University, a
subsidiary of XMU that shares this campus.
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Above, students dining with Vivian and I near campus. One of the best
things about living near the students is the chance to see them outside of
class! Below, some of my 2011 students help us pick out a cactus after enjoying dinner
together in a local restaurant. You know the climate is dry when the local
"florists" mainly sell cacti!
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Click on this
photo to see a bigger image. This bird's eye view shows the old "downtown"
at our feet, with high rise buildings stretching off into the distance. As
in most of China, high rise buildings didn't really exist before around
2000. When I lived here in the 80s, nothing was over 10 floors high, and
most buildings were only 4 or 5 stories. |
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When Michael studied Mandarin at Xiamen University from
1985-87, he never dreamed that he would one day serve on the faculty of
this prestigious university, but it's great to be "home"! |
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Xiamen
is a beautiful port city in Fujian.
“Downtown” is seen here from Gulangyu—Xiamen’s charming
neighbor-island with lovely old homes, quiet beaches, and many other
attractions. (2002) |
When
Michael studied here, this was a quiet two-lane road between the
campus and the beach. Now it’s a busy 4-lane road to a premier Exhibition
Center. (2002) |
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Xiamen
has been an important coastal city for over 150 years. This church, in
the heart of downtown Xiamen, was built in 1848, and the plaque lists it
as the oldest Protestant church in China.
A lot has changed
since I studied in Xiamen in the 1980’s, but the place is still loaded with charm. Some of
the additions include high-rise buildings, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC,
Wal-Mart, an Underwater World, and miles of public beaches! |
Click below to see my
February 2005 Reunion |
For more info about Xiamen & Fujian,
these sites were created by our colleagues, Bill & Sue Brown:
http://www.amoymagic.mts.cn (within China)
http://www.amoymagic.com (outside China) |
Click in the boxes below to go to some of our most popular pages. If
you get lost, just click "Home."
See our
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regarding the use of materials available at Krigline.com or
Krigline.com.cn |
