Matt Scranton '06 and his adventures in China

June 13, 2008

BY ERIC W. PESOLA

Matt Scranton '06 racing on a camel in Turpan, Xinjiang province. It was 64 degrees Celsius (or 147 Fahrenheit) that day.

Matt Scranton '06 studied history and geology at the College. And those disciplines have come in quite handy as he navigates through the vastness of China. While he's not busy teaching English for the Peace Corps, he's busy exploring this changing nation, hiking the hills and planning his wedding with his fiancee, Wei-Na. We were lucky enough to chat with Matt about his life and times in the Middle Kingdom.

Tell us about what you're doing in China.
I am serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) project. My specific assignment is to teach English at Chongqing Jiaotong University in Chongqing, China. Chongqing is a bustling metropolis of 12 million people stuffed into a small wedge between two mountains with the Yangtze River meandering through. It's one of the biggest cities in the world, but I doubt many in America have ever heard of it. China has spent the last 20 years focusing its development efforts on the East Coast. The next 20 years will see focus shift to the development of the inland provinces, and the Chinese government views Chongqing as the "Chicago of China." I've heard that Chongqing is the world's largest producer of motorcycles and the world's largest processor of pork, but can't verify it.

My main project at the university is to teach spoken English classes to English majors. When they arrive to the university, they have already studied English for at least eight years. However, the Chinese education system really focuses on test preparation, so they are very far from fluent and their spoken English (not included on the national tests) can be far behind their reading or listening. It has been my job to bring the students "out of their shell," increase their confidence, and generally to help them grow to be more fluent speakers as well as having fun while doing it. I have seen very shy students turn into chatterboxes and others who had trouble saying "How are you?" later be able to carry on a substantial conversation. The work has been very rewarding as well as being extremely enjoyable.

Besides teaching about 14 hours a week, I have also had many secondary projects. I've started a film club at the university where every week we watch a movie and then have a discussion on various related themes. The students here love American movies and I think both the students and I have learned a lot through the discussions. I've also volunteered at a preschool teaching English. Like you might imagine, not much English was actually taught but the little kids and I have a lot of fun playing together. Plus, there are so few foreigners in China that any exposure to the outside world at this young an age has to be a positive experience for them. I also worked with a golf resort here in Chongqing trying to make their operations more international, which entailed teaching their staff and management specific English they might need in their job, as well as consulting on how to make their overall guest relations more friendly to, and comfortable for, the foreigners who come to their resort. The volunteer work at the golf club really gave me a chance to peer into the upper crust of Chinese society. China has one of the greatest differences between rich and poor in the world. Through my volunteer work I've been exposed to both sections of society and I really have learned a lot. It's impossible to say something is totally good or totally bad, but I was understandably disgusted by much of the behavior I saw from the ultra-rich at that club.

Away from Peace Corps activities, I've really enjoyed studying the Chinese language. I had no exposure to it before coming to Peace Corps, but have put in a lot of time on it in my two years here. I can read a newspaper without too much difficulty and am very conversant with all the people in my community. I don't like the word fluent, and I certainly don't think I'm fluent, but my Chinese is pretty good. I also work out a lot, enjoy cooking Chinese food, hike in the hills of Chongqing, and spend time with my fiancee, Wei-Na. She started out as my Chinese teacher and things just ... well, you know how it goes. We're getting married here in Chongqing this September and are very happy together.

Tell us what your long term plans are, and what you're going to do after your Peace Corps run is complete.
My Peace Corps service finishes up this July and I'll be staying in China after that continuing to work at Chongqing Jiaotong University. They have hired me to work for the university's International Exchange and Cooperation Office. My main duty will be to work on strengthening and expanding our existing cooperation agreements with universities abroad, while also seeking new exchange and cooperation agreements with other universities. I'm the first foreigner employed in this way by any university in Chongqing so it's a great opportunity and I'm very excited to start the work. I'll do this for at least two years, and then we'll see -- who knows what the future holds. "Life is what happens while you're busy making plans," right? I'm just going to spend the next two years enjoying life with my wife, working hard at my job, and trying to become fluent in Chinese. Life here is very good, very, very good.

How would you compare Chongqing Jiaotong University with the College?
They are two very different institutions. The College is the alma mater of a nation -- one of the most highly respected universities in America. Chongqing Jiaotong University is very much a mid-level university in China and is not very famous. Our best department is civil engineering, specifically bridge engineering and harbor engineering. For bridge engineering, we're fairly famous in China, but otherwise, not very. Also, Chongqing Jiaotong University is a science and engineering focused university with very few majors in the humanities. Jiaotong University has very little community to speak of when compared to the College. Students here very much believe that grades on tests are the most important part of their college experience. I would say most students do not get involved in any of the community-building activities that are so plentiful at W&M. So yes, they are very different places. But as in all things in China, different does not necessarily mean worse. Or better. Just different.

Just in case you were wondering, Jiaotong is a Chinese word which is very difficult to translate. Some translate it as "traffic," "communication," or "logistics." It really is none of those, but somehow a combination of them. Most of our majors relate to civil engineering as it's applied to traffic-ways, so it makes sense I think.

What is your favorite thing about China?
Oh man, how can I sum China up in just one favorite thing? Lots of people think China is just a country of mystery, mystique, kung fu and pandas. It is. But it is so much more than just that. This is an amazingly diverse country that is undergoing faster change -- tangible and not -- than any country in recent memory. It's an astounding place and I urge everyone to visit. Just don't come expecting fortune cookies -- they are an American creation, not Chinese.

Are you going to attend any of the upcoming Olympics?
No, I made the decision not to bid on tickets. I did apply to be a torchbearer for the Olympics and was selected as a finalist, but wasn't chosen in the end. There is a Chinese saying to describe big crowds, ren shan ren hai, literally "mountains and seas of people." That will be an understatement for the Olympics in Beijing. You can bet I'll be glued to the TV watching though. And saying "jia you," akin to "Go!" or "Come on!" for the Red, White, and Blue.

What do you miss most about the United States?
Certainly not high gas prices, 24/7 election coverage, and celebrity obsessions. China is pretty Westernized so there aren't many foods I can't get here, although a Hot Holly from Paul's would be delicious right now. And watching Eagles and Phillies games over the Internet has gotten old quickly.

The thing I miss the most is friends and family. There are many from W&M that I miss a lot and would very much like to catch up with. Actually, anybody interested is free to visit here in China and Chongqing at any time!

What do you miss most about the College?
The community, green grass, bricks, friends, people-watching on the terrace, morning coffee from the Caf, Curtis singing while I drink my coffee, smiles and waves as I walk to class, engaging professors, Wawa, rugby team, rugby socials, the Williamsburg community, and last but not least, Mug Night. Life is good at the College. It can be insulated a bit. People can take it too seriously too. But those four years, well three and a half with time spent in New Zealand, were downright enjoyable. It will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope to return sometime either as an alum or member of the staff.