China Travel 2.0

who is Steven Weathers?

Originally from the United States, Steven Weathers moved to China in 2005, though this was not his intention when he traveled to China in 1998 for the 1st time. almost 3 years passed, he lived in China very well. As he said in his Twitter account: Mkt/Adv Prof at a Univ in Shanghai by Day, Adventurer by Night & Weekend. and whats more he is a celebrate to some extend. He has appeared in over 20 TV commercials shows and he has worked with Asian stars such as Stephanie Sun, Yang Lan, Jacky Cheung, and S.H.E.  His Putonghua is good enough to appear in some Chinese TV programs. Currently he is director and host for a web video called “Foreigner Perspective.” Wow, does all Americans can make such many great jobs at the same times? and do you have any questions? Ok,let me be first to interview him in China Travel 2.0.

1 Well,you have lived in China for over 3 years. give us 3 reasons why did you move to China, and are there something changed in your view about China 3 years ago and now?  what are they? which one give you the most impression?

A. The first reason I moved to China was I longed for a life of adventure. Running a company in the states for 8 years was exciting and adventurous at times, but I found I lived from travel to travel, and I thought if I lived in China, the freshness of life and availability for exotic travel would be much more abundant. Now, three years later, I know I made the right choice. Everyday is an adventure in China.

B.  The second reason I chose China (rather than any other country that could provide adventure) was China’s language and culture — both of which I’m really passionate about learning. Everyone knows China has a rich, deep history in both language and culture, so being a student of both means I’ll never stop learning. 活到老学到老，right?

C.  The third reason I moved to China was the doors of possibility that will open for me and my future family one day.  We all know that Mandarin is the world’s most spoken language, and I believe in the next several decades, it will overtake English as the International language of business and culture in the world.  So I haven’t chosen Chinese as a language just for me, but hopefully for my wife and children one day.  If I ever marry and have a family, I want my children to be bilingual. Their futures will be all the more successful with both languages.

2 You are an expert in the English literture, and now you can speak fluent Chinese, lets say you familier with the 2 different language system. would you give us some inspriation on this 2 language? for example,what the main differences between them? which one will be the trend in the future, how to learn English for the Chinese speaking person? and how to learn Chinese for non-Chinese speakers?

I’m not fluent in Chinese yet!  I have a long way to go.  But learning what I know quickly has been because I’m in a Chinese language environment.  Every day I find myself in situations where I must speak Chinese.  I have purposefully made friends with Chinese people who cannot speak English. Sometimes conversations are frustrating when I have to put each word in the e-dictionary for them to see, but it’s a great way to learn.

I have a BBS filled with ideas for Chinese people to learn English quickly, but all of the ideas involve creating an English environment in China.  It isn’t easy, but “no pain, no gain”, right?  If a Chinese person really is dedicated to learning, they will succeed.

Here are a few examples of what to do:

1. Choose a good English name.  Read on my BBS why I think that’s an important first step.

2. Listen to English TV stations, music, and/or movies while doing normal everyday things (cleaning the house, commuting to work, etc.).  Don’t worry if you don’t understand. Just listen! Your brain will pick up on sound patterns.

3.  Practice, practice, practice!  Speak as often as you can.  Watch English movies (with English subtitles) and repeat what you hear *outloud*.  Talk with friends (make an “English only” lunch once a month). Invite foreigners to coffee (you treat), so you can practice.

3 everyone know the economic crisis is coming,and lots of people are talking about it. can you feel the crisis in your daily life? what is it? and do you think China wil recover the next year? do you think it is more difficult for the expats lived in China? and what is the most important thing for the world need to handle for the crisis?

(I’m skipping this ? because I’m not an expert on economy)

4 I can say,you have a wonderful life,one hand,you are a professor teaching in a unversity in Shanghai,on the other hand,you traveled a lot of place and countries in the world and through China, how can you make it? so,what is your opinion about travel,I mean,what kind of travel do we need? what can we learn from every trip? do you know China Travel 2.0? do you think it is a new concept in China? and what kind of travel do you like best? tell me one trip give you unforgetable impression.

I’ve always believed that traveling is the best education!  You learn about places and people and different ways of life. It opens your eyes to new ideas and inspires you to live a better life. I have traveled to 30 different countries all over the world. What are my favorite places to see?  I like to go to find a destination’s “best kept secrets” — that is an English idiom meaning places that not too many people know about.  For instance, I spent 5 days in Fuzhou, and I found the coolest spots like “Jin Shan Si” — an island temple on the river — and an old Christian church where 20,000 people go every Sunday. When I found these places, it seemed like I was the first foreigner to discover them.  I filmed them, too, so I will feature them in my “Foreigner Perspective” video.

Regarding travel in general, I think most people like comfortable traveling — traveling in tour groups that provide meals and hotels, all in one cost.  I personally don’t like those trips, because I can travel much faster on my own, or with a few friends.  I like to rent cars and find my own quaint guest houses and hotels.  Tour groups make you go to restaurants or “tourist traps” where you are pressured into buying something you don’t want. I consider those places a waste of good travel time.

So I think China Travel 2.0 is a wonderful idea — it allows people to share their experiences that will both inspire and help others in their journeys.

5 I bet there are lots of people around the world dont know China exactly, and most of them didnt come to China yet, but I believe they wanna know China and they would like to come to China for a trip once in their life, so, what kinds of hints or tips will you tell them? and what are the basic rules in China? what kind of difference between other countries. give them 3 golden tips about China.

That’s right!  My first trip to China was in 1998, and so much has changed then.  Now it’s very easy for foreigners to travel in China, but I don’t think most of them know that.  I woud say these things:

1. Traveling in China can be easy. It doesn’t matter if you can’t speak Chinese.  Chinese people are kind to help, and you can visit major cities with both ease and excitement.

2. Traveling in China can still be exotic. If you are adventurous, then you can take short side trips to places like Yichang and the Three Rivers Gorges.  Or you can go to Henan’s Shaolin Temple.  Climb China’s Great Wall at rugged Simatai and avoid the crowds. There are a number of wonderful destinations that will satiate the soul that is hungry for adventure.

3.  Traveling in China can change your life.  Beware!  After your first trip to China, you may find your life changing with a desire to come back! 

6 tell me something about your plan in China in the future.

Right now my plan is stay at least 5 years in China to learn more of the lanugauge and culture.  Then, after next year, I will make some career decisions.  Right now I’m acting in a Chinese TV series called 蜗居. Look for it to broadcast in China next year. I’m in 15 episdoes.  I’m also currently talking with some TV stations, and that could alter my next career steps.  I really hope things work out, because I am passionate about working in the media industry.

Keep following me on Facebook and Twitter (and XiaoNei) to find out!

Update:Thanks for Steven. check my interview in Meiyuquan(he created a website for English leaners,American English Circle,a great web for cross-culture understanding).

Tags: Beijing, China travel, great wall, interview, Shanghai, suzhou, weathers, yang lan