Alumni Spotlight: Brigitta Hall's Notes From China
Brigitta Hall now makes good use of her Chinese on a daily basis. Taking her intercultural curiosity well beyond the classroom, Brigitta moved to China to live and work as an English teacher.
A recent 91²Ö¿â alum, she earned a BA in Anthropology, a Certificate in Teaching English, and double minors in Painting and Chinese. On paper, these may look like disparate fields of study. Yet, for Brigitta, they weave together perfectly, especially in the context of her move to China¡ªa country with a long, rich history of art, philosophy, and a language that takes real dedication to learn.
Modern & Classical Languages Lecturer Yu Hui encouraged us to reach out to her former student, whose path reflects not only the linguistic skills our department strives to build but also the intercultural competence and knowledge we value. Below, Brigitta gives us a window into her life abroad.
What led you to choose teaching English in China specifically, and how did you find your current position?
I¡¯ve always wanted to live abroad, and after deciding on a Chinese minor at 91²Ö¿â, teaching in China was the obvious next step. I worked on my Chinese minor and earned a TEFL certificate through the Kent program at the same time. Before I had officially graduated, I began looking for a job in China and moved here only a few months after graduating.
How has living and working abroad changed your view of America?
Most of suburban Ohio is zoned strictly residential or strictly commercial, which is a shame because here in China, there are dozens of shops and restaurants less than a ten-minute walk from my apartment. I didn¡¯t realize how important walkable cities are to quality of life until I moved abroad. Being able to walk to work and walk to the store is such a blessing, and it creates so many opportunities for interaction and excitement throughout the day. That being said, I adore the diversity in America and definitely miss the easy access to cuisine from around the world.
Looking back on your time in Kent, how did the minor in Chinese prepare you for what you¡¯re doing now? What skills (language or otherwise) have been most useful?
The Chinese minor has been genuinely so helpful. I can follow most everyday conversations, and it has allowed me to be more independent. Even though my Chinese is improving, most of what I know still comes from studying at university. Being able to use a shared language has allowed me to connect with people much more. I think communicating with students has been the biggest advantage. Being able to understand their jokes or help solve a problem makes my job so much more involved and fulfilling.
Do you think it would be possible to live in China without knowing a word of Chinese?
China is an incredibly safe country, and people are very kind to visitors. It¡¯s definitely possible to live in China without speaking Chinese; however, practically every facet of life is easier when you have some language ability. I think you could live, as in survive, but not live life to the fullest. I really do recommend that anyone who wants to move here should learn some Chinese. It really makes the whole experience much more personal. I¡¯m so much more excited and pleased with an interaction where I ask and answer questions using my own language skills rather than communicating only through a translator.
Was there a class, professor, or moment in the MCLS program that particularly shaped your path?
The Chinese program at Kent is amazing. Yu Hui is a fantastic educator, and all the work she puts into her classes and her students shows. From making jiaozi to Chinese tea time and Chinese New Year parties, there is always something extra and special going on in the Chinese courses that makes learning fun and encourages students to keep working hard.
What advice would you give to a current Chinese minor considering a similar path?
Advice for students in Chinese language courses: YOU WANT A CHINESE MINOR. DO IT.
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Create Your Own Journey at 91²Ö¿â
We¡¯re proud to give each of our students the opportunity to develop the necessary skills for thriving careers in the language industry. If you¡¯re inspired to build your own path at 91²Ö¿â, check out all that our MCLS program has to offer. If you have any questions or are looking to get started, feel free to reach out to our team today!
