国籍：以色列

Occupation : Teacher / Professor at Xiamen University School of Management

职业：教师、厦门大学管理学院教授

Years in China : 7 years

在华居住时间：7年

How did your journey in China begin?

你的中国之旅是如何开始的？

I planned most of my life, however China was never on my radar. Living and working in China was totally unplanned but incredibly fascinating and worthwhile in every sense.

我会规划人生，但是中国从来没有出现在我的视线中。来中国工作生活是完全出于偶然，但这一切都值得且令人神往。

I’m one of the millions of people whose lives were radically changed by the global financial crisis. I worked as a head of a department of tourism and culinary arts in an academic college in Jerusalem. It was interesting, satisfying, fulfilling… and I thought that was a career for life. But then… Bang! The global economy collapsed and 50% of the departments at the college closed, mine included. Two years later, that was it!

全球金融危机彻底改变了数百万人的生活，我就是其中一员。我曾在耶路撒冷的一所学术学院担任旅游和烹饪艺术系的系主任。这份工作十分有趣，我也很满意，成就感满满……而且我把它当作终身的职业。但后来……砰！全球经济崩溃，学院一半的系都关闭了，其中就包括我所在的系。两年过去了，还是老样子。

Now what? One of my brothers, David, had a couple of friends who worked in Xiamen at the time. I was a little hesitant at first, but I contacted them, and they highly recommended coming over for six months to teach. I wrote to some universities in Xiamen and was amazed that they all offered me a teaching position! This was so refreshing in comparison with the vast majority of the world. I was very excited and enthusiastic about this new undertaking.

接下来怎么办？我有个兄弟叫 David，他有几个朋友在厦门工作。起初我有点犹豫，最后我还是联系了他们，他们强烈建议我过来上半年课。我给厦门的几所大学写了信，令我惊讶的是，它们都给我提供了一个教职！在世界上绝大部分国家，这绝对是件新鲜事。我无比热衷于这份新工作，并感到非常兴奋。

I chose Xiamen university due to various recommendations and its beautiful campus and location. It’s such a different experience from my previous teaching in Israel and Europe. It is quiet, disciplined and respectful; not that things are chaotic in Israel or Europe but the Chinese classroom culture is certainly unique. An initial period of one semester has currently developed into over 7 years! So, in retrospect, the global financial crisis was a positive game changer for me. One door closed and China opened up opportunities that I never dreamed about.

我之所以选择厦门大学，是因为有许多人推荐，而且厦大校园风景怡人，位置优越。这与我之前在以色列和欧洲的教学体验不同。厦大的环境非常安静，师生守纪，互相尊重。并不是说以色列和欧洲的学校很混乱，但中国的课堂文化肯定是有其独特性的。我已经在厦大待了 7 年多！回过头来看，全球金融危机带给我的是积极的改变。一扇门关闭了，中国为我打开了另一扇门，这是我梦寐以求的机会。

What do you like most about your city and China as a whole? 

你所在的城市，哪一点最吸引你？你最喜欢中国的什么呢？

Xiamen is a truly beautiful city, a blend of old and new. It has fascinating markets which I adore, the smells, the huge varieties of foods are so different from the Mediterranean. The surrounding seas, mountains, terrain and general ambiance of the area is wonderful. I just find being around absorbing the atmosphere soothing and pleasant, even in the hustle and bustle of the city, the temples, street food, etc. are a continuous stimulation. Xiamen is perfectly situated in China, with great infrastructure, open spaces and cleanliness. The weather is almost ideal, except for the hot humid summer months and the occasional tropical storms, but it’s all part of the experience. I even experienced mega typhoon Meranti back in 2016 which was scary at the time, however with immaculate alacrity and public enthusiasm the city was repaired with such precision and speed. Unbelievable!

厦门真是一座美丽的城市，现代和传统在这里交融。这里有迷人的市集，我很喜欢。空气中弥漫的香味、各种各样的食物，与地中海地区是如此不同。周围有海洋、山地，还有这里的环境都很棒。我觉得置身于这种环境之中会感到放松，令人愉悦，即使在喧嚣的城市中，寺庙、街头小吃也能带给我持续的兴奋感。厦门在中国的地理位置非常好，基础设施完备，空间开阔，环境整洁。除了夏季炎热潮湿，偶尔会有热带风暴侵扰，这里的气候几乎是理想的，这些都构成了我在厦门的别样体验。我在 2016 年甚至经历了超强台风莫兰蒂，当时的情况是非常可怕的，然而政府迅速响应，人民齐心协力，厦门以很快的速度恢复如初。这简直难以置信！

I’ve met and befriended many many great locals and foreigners too from such diverse countries, cultures, religions and even ages! It’s refreshing! Essentially all people have similar aspirations, dreams and ambitions irrespective of their backgrounds. Stereotypes are stereotypes and untrue. Many people associate mega and overcrowded cities to China which is true, however few people are aware of the natural beauty and vast geographical areas of China, the tropical versus desert zones, the ethnic diversity with their corresponding dress codes and cultures, the ultra-modern buildings in comparison to the ancient architecture, the ease of electronic payments, online life in general and the determination to achieve, advance, progress, obtain and succeed in life. There is a beat in China which defines the country in such a contrasting way to the West. It is amazing how many Chinese people want to learn English and how much the Chinese know about western culture in comparison to how little we know about Chinese culture. What a country!

我结识了许多友善的当地人和外国人，他们来自不同的国家，拥有不同的文化、宗教信仰，年龄也各不相同。令人耳目一新！不管他们的背景如何，几乎所有人都有相同的愿望、梦想和雄心。有些人对中国有着刻板印象，但这只是刻板印象，与事实并不相符。许多人认为中国的城市庞大而拥挤，这是事实，然而很少有人知道中国有着绝美的自然景观和广袤的土地，包含热带地区与沙漠地带，民族组成也呈现多样性，每个民族都有其独特的衣着和文化。中国还有超现代建筑，与传统建筑形成强烈对比。中国人民还能享受到便利的电子支付，互联网融入生活，他们有着实现理想、不断前进、取得进步、获得成功的决心。中国有自己的节奏，与西方的截然不同，他们用自己的方式决定前进的道路。令我惊讶的是，有许多中国人想要学习英语，中国人对西方文化的了解比西方人对中国文化的了解多得多。这是多么棒的一个国家！

What fascinated you the most about living in China? 

生活在中国，最吸引你的是什么？

In short almost everything! Everything is different in China in comparison with a western culture, the food, the lifestyle, habits, body language, communication and values, etc.

几乎所有的东西都吸引着我！中国文化与西方文化完全不同：不同的饮食习惯、生活方式、爱好、身体语言、交流方式和价值观等等。

I try (I admit it, perhaps I ought to try harder) to speak Chinese, but I try! The tones and pronunciation in Chinese are essential. Often Chinese people say to me TING BU DONG, meaning they don’t understand me, it’s SO frustrating. Communication is a challenge to put it mildly, but with the help of friends, we always find a way to work things out.

我试着（我承认，也许我应该更努力）说中文，我尽力了！中文的声调和发音非常重要。中国人经常对我说“听不懂”，他们不明白我的意思，这真的让人很沮丧。委婉地说，沟通是一个挑战，但在朋友的帮助下，我们总能找到办法解决沟通上的问题。

I’m vegetarian and teach about food. I find the food delicious in China, but it took a while for my stomach to adjust to these new flavors. However, today the Chinese diet ranks very high in my books, I’ve even mastered the art of using chopsticks without the food dropping on my clothes, that too took a while.

我是素食主义者，教学内容也和食品相关。我发现中国的食物很美味，但我的胃需要一段时间来适应这些新口味。中国饮食在我心中有很高的地位，我甚至学会了使用筷子时不让食物掉在衣服上这门艺术，当然这也花了一定时间。

Culinary differences do exist! To my Mediterranean culture, people here eat so early, especially lunch and dinner which I eat at 14:00 and 20:00 respectfully. I enjoy iced water whereas here in China people drink hot water in the scorching heat. I love raw vegetables, however everything is cooked here and we are a coffee drinking nation in comparison to the love of tea here. Finally, I’m asked countless times every day “if I’ve eaten” and then numerous times “if I’m full” How can one not fall in love with China?

饮食习惯的差异确实存在！和地中海文化不同，我都是在14:00吃午餐，20:00吃晚餐，而这里的人们午餐和晚餐吃得很早。我喜欢喝冰水，而在中国，即使烈日当空，人们也习惯喝热水。我喜欢吃生的蔬菜，但这里的东西都是熟的。而且以色列人爱喝咖啡，而中国人喜欢喝茶。最后，我每天都会被问到无数次“你吃了吗”，又会被问到无数次“你吃饱了吗”。这让人怎么能不爱上中国？

What is your unique China story?

你在中国有什么独特的故事？

I think China is a place that one literally grows to love and appreciate. After an initial period of culture shock, adjustments and resetting one’s mind, China becomes for many people a second home.

中国是一个让人逐渐爱上并感激的地方。经历了最开始的文化冲击，然后逐步调整心态后，中国已经成为了许多人的第二个家。

At the end of each academic year, I often said to myself “Time to go home, it’s been fun”, but I’m a guest in China and when is it enough? Obviously I haven’t reached that point yet! For me at work, via my department and students there is a sense of gratitude and appreciation for my teaching which I truthfully value. The diversity of people I meet and befriend encouraged me to extend my stay in China for a longer period than I initially planned – significantly longer!

在每个学年结束时，我经常对自己说：“是时候回家了，我已经收获了足够的快乐。”但我毕竟是客居他乡，真的已经足够了吗？很明显，还远远不够！我真的很珍惜在工作中，我的部门和学生对我教学的感激和赞赏。我还结识了各种各样的人，这也促使我在中国待的更久，比我最初计划的时间还要长——而且长得多！

About Bernard’s hometown

介绍一下 Bernard 的家乡

In a way Israel and China couldn’t be more different! However, apart from the obvious differences in size and geographic location; Israel is a tiny country with a population of about 8 million in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Looking at this again I believe there are considerable similarities. Both China and Israel speak ancient old languages, both value education to the extreme, both are technologically advanced, Chinese and Israeli culture value common factors such as families, care for the elderly and young, the list goes on and on. In China, I’ve never experienced any hostility towards me and that is truly a wonderful experience.

以色列和中国简直是千差万别！面积和地理位置上有明显差异，以色列是一个位于地中海和中东地区的小国，人口约800万。但是中国和以色列还有相当多的相似之处。两国都讲着古老的语言，都极其重视教育，都有先进的技术。在文化上，有些东西是中国和以色列都会重视的，如对家庭、老人和儿童的照顾，这样的例子不胜枚举。在中国，别人从未对我产生敌意，这确实是一种很棒的体验。

When and if anyone asks me, so Bernard would you recommend visiting or working in China? My answer is an unequivocal absolute YES, go for it, you’ll never regret it! Have an adventure in life!

如果有人问我会不会推荐来中国旅游或工作，我的回答绝对是肯定的。去吧，你永远不会后悔。给自己的人生来一场冒险！

作者：Bernard 翻译：潘泽彬

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