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This is 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!
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This 1987 photo
presents the teachers, administrators,
classmates and friends Michael knew at Xiamen University (1985-87).
The next picture
shows a closer view of Mr. Chen (our administrator), Michael and teacher Mrs. Xu. |
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February 2005 Reunion
  Four classmates
went back to Xiamen for a reunion in 2005: (from the right) Barb flew in from Beijing;
Margaret flew from New Zealand; Vivian came with me from Xi'an; and
Shannon flew from Canada (her husband Gideon is on the far left). We
received a warm welcome by a senior representative of our old department
(next to Gideon), as well as by Mr. Chen and Mrs. Xu (see above). One of
the highlights of our reunion was a banquet on our
last evening together. Several of our former Chinese teachers and
administrators were among the 19 in attendance!
The left-hand photo was taken in 2005 as we toured campus; Michael is
standing with Mr. Chen in front of our old community refrigerator, which
is still in use at the college!
(right) Vivian, Andrew and Michael enjoy a spring-like day
on Gulangyu island; you can see the university's tallest building in the
background. |
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Here are a few
photos from the reunion. First, the four of us were standing in front of
our old dorm building. At the banquet, many people showed great interest
in all of the photo albums being passed around. The group also sang and
presented gifts to our former teachers and administrators. |
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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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These two photos are from our February 2002 visit. Next
to Vivian are Mrs. Gao and Mrs. Xu, and Mrs. Yao is in the other
photo with Michael and Andrew. These wonderful ladies taught Michael
to speak Mandarin from 1985-87! Boy, did they have patience! Yao Laoshi
came out of retirement to teach us, and was the only one of these three
who spoke any English. I'm glad we got to see her in 2002, for she
passed away the following year (at age 83). Her coworkers told us that
her final days were spent singing hymns and telling people about Jesus.
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Another 2002 photo. Michael’s
teachers (Gao and Xu) stand in front of his 1986 dorm. It never looked this good back
then! After a personal tour of the campus, we also got to see Mrs. Xu's album of photos that had been sent over the years by
Michael’s classmates. (Many of these classmates still work in China.) |
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Xiamen
has been an important coastal city for over 150 years. A lot has changed
since 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! |
If you studied Chinese at
Xiamen University in the 1980's, please write to me. Several classmates could not come in Feb. 2005, but there is
talk of another get together sometime in the future. Write and I can keep you updated
if plans
develop. (My email address is on the home page.) |
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) |
