Kyle Armstrong, Jade Mckanna and Naomi Garland, 3 Chinese-American girls finished their part-time work in a hotpot restaurant in Chongqing on July 26 and have now returned to the US.

 

All of them are from Ohio, and all of them are longing to know more about Chinese culture. Thus they came to China to experience life in Chongqing.

 

"Our Chinese teacher back home in America is from Chongqing, and that's why we came here," said Jade, whose Chinese name is Chen Fang, in an interview before their departure for home.

 

Jade arranged the tables at the restaurant. "I was totally exhausted on the first day, and I could hardly crawl onto my bed," said she. She spoke better Chinese than the other two. In fact, Jade had got an A in HSK (Chinese Language Proficiency Test) in 2006.

 

Their daily wage in the restaurant was 30 yuan. Their work began at 9 AM every day, and they could not knock off until late at night.

 

"We didn't come to Chongqing for money," said Naomi. "In fact, I can earn much more if I spend the summer vacation working back home. I really like my job in the restaurant, for it gave me a chance to communicate with local people in Chinese. Most of them encouraged me when I made stupid mistakes instead of laughing at me, and I really appreciated that."

 

"In Chongqing, I have learned many new Chinese characters; I have gained a better understanding of Chongqing food; and I believe when I return home my story will make all my friends' mouth water," concluded Naomi.

 

(chinanews July 31, 2007)