Details
My Chinese story (in English) is a collection of stories about Mark Levines experiences living， working and traveling in China. He started out in Huaian, Jiangsu Province, teaching English in 2005 and then came to Beijing. He fell in love with China and has never left. First he began to write songs and sing them along with his guitar. Then he began to write to friends about what he was experiencing and their life.
Recommendations
Mark is a traveling troubadour of the 21 st century,spreading his message of peace and friendship. A colorful American,he amazes our Chinese friends with his songs and manages to bridge the cultural gap between the West and China,all while getting involved in unusual adventures.
--Gilbert Van Kerckhove,author of Toxic Capitalism
As a teacher,singer-songwriter or English-competition judge,Mark Levine's open-heartedness reaches across cultures and makes the Chinese Dream and the American Dream look like two sides of a spirited coin.
--Mike Peters,senior editor,China Daily Sunday edition
In a well-crafted account of his deep experience,Mark Levine provides an original and enlightening understanding of the dynamic complexity of Chinese society and culture. A valuable contribution which combines,reflexively,learning,insight and passion. Challenging most of the contemporary common sense and biased interpretations,it promotes,significantly,the transcultural dialogue.
--Roberto Malighetti,Ph.D.,Universita degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca
At Peking University, Mark Levine co-organized a lecture series on the older generation of foreign experts who helped build New China. His students think he is an excellent teacher,an amazing singer,an enthusiastic friend and a lovely Santa. He is also a passionate friendship ambassador between China and the U.S.
--Sun Hua,Ph.D.,professor of journalism,Peking University
Mr. Levine has what most foreigners lack,and it shows up best in the lyrics of his songs. He possesses and conveys an in-depth understanding and extensive knowledge of China - its history,politics,sufferings,people,society and natural environment.
--Zhang Zhuo,Mark's former student at Minzu University of China
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter One:Huai'an
My Welcome to China
My Students' Castles in the Air
Huai'an Office of International Relations
My First Trip out of Huai'an to Huaguoshan
Getting a Chinese Driver's License
Chapter Two:Teaching English in Beijing
At Minzu University of China
Teaching at Beijing Dance Academy
"I Love English. I Would Die for English!"
Issues in English Education
Classmates
Chapter Three:Life in China
Fu Han
Spring Festival in the Countryside
Love,Marriage and Parents
Chinese Weddings
Names
Do You Like Chinese Food?
"Number 5!"
Acting in China
Chapter Four: Honoring the Past and the Future
Israel Epstein and Huang Wanbi
They Helped to Build Nexv China
Huai'an--Promise of the Future
The Chinese Dream
Appendix: Songs Written by Mark Levine
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which subsequently closed after the U.S. Securities and ExchangeCommission delisted the company's stock. But it worked out well, as hercontract was sold to Hainan Airlines. Shelley now has her best job yetworking as a code writer, team leader and requirement analyzer. As Shelleysays, "I am still developing and growing and looking forward to workingwith an international IT company." She and Mike now live in Beijing withtheir 2-year-old daughter, Jennifer.
In 2013 the story of my experience in China was reported on aTV program called "Foreigners in China." In an interview done for thatprogram, I was asked about my perspective on life and said, "While somepeople focus on what they don't have, it is important to begin with anappreciation for what you do have. You can then use that to go further."Shelley is the first of many determined and confident Chinese people I havemet who exemplify that perspective.
My Students' ～astles in the Air
There are a number of students whom I got to know in Huai'an.We became friends, and these friendships have continued over both timeand distance. All are natives of Jiangsu Province and attended the sameuniversity. But their stories are quite different. Each had goals, but wherethose goals stand and why they changed is interesting.
I can't imagine where else a student from a low-ranking school couldgain admission to the top university in the country based on his ownself-study. The others showed that Chinese people are just like everyoneelse. They have dreams. Sometimes they can carry them out. Sometimessomething new comes along that is more important. And sometimes theysimply realize that it is out of their reach, so they reformulate their lives.
