Enjoying my teaching career

With research on Chinese, Dutch, and Japanese, I taught linguistics at Shanghai International Studies University for nine years and in 2013, I was awarded the Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award, which recognizes outstanding expats for their contributions to Shanghai’s economic construction, social development, and foreign exchanges initiated by the Shanghai Government.

For us foreigners, the process is a complete surprise. This award also made me eligible for a later meeting — a workshop with selected expats and President Xi Jinping. I will always remember the open dialogue with the expats. It showed me the value of constructive conversations among people from different parts of the world. There is nothing more important than the network you are part of.

Before I started teaching in Shenzhen in 2018, I had visited the city in 2007 to present a lecture at Shenzhen University (SZU). When a friend mentioned this opportunity, I was surely interested. I also thought it would be good to change and teach different courses, meet other students and colleagues, and pursue some other research.

Now I teach in SZU’s BA and MA programs. The College of International Studies is well-organized. This year, the college will enroll Ph.D. students, and I’m looking forward to that. Having a Ph.D. program gives a special atmosphere to SZU.

I'm impressed by Shenzhen’s transportation system and emphasis on education. As a Dutchman, I prefer biking. I bike wherever I can, whenever I need, and Shenzhen has done well with bike lanes in many places.