China and me, our multiple five years

My journey in China began from the very south, and it has gone up north, and finally landed in the middle. It all started back in the summer of 2003 when I first went to Xiamen with my parents. My father was a South American businessman (of Chinese ethnicity) who had close ties with businesses in China. He knew China is growing at an unprecedented speed, and that studying here will allow me to see a different part of the world, the world that I should get to know, but was unfamiliar with. This was the first encounter I had with China, our first five years.

I was born in Brazil, raised in South America, and attended high school in Spain. My parents' job has taken us to places, to see and experience the world. Upon graduating as an honor student from the American School of Madrid, with the recommendation from a family friend, my parents brought me to Xiamen, the most beautiful coastal city to begin the road that will soon lead to many more years in China.

In the fall of 2003, I began my undergraduate studies at Xiamen University. Being away from family for the first time, everything just seemed even more interesting and breathtaking at Xiamen. It was a very exciting Chinese experience. Unfortunately, given I did not receive any formal Chinese education prior coming to China, I struggled through my first two years as a Bio-technology major. After taking careful consideration, I switched major into Business Chinese. The change did not come easy. I have learned from my mistakes, and studied deeper, really learn to learn not just the major, but also the language. Luckily, the hard work was rewarded. I graduated as the valedictorian of my class. The professors I had during my undergraduate years at Xiamen University truly inspired me and had greatly influenced me in many ways. I realized I must continue my further studies in China.

My second five years in China began with my graduate studies in Shanghai. In the summer of 2007, I received offers from Tsinghua University and Fudan University with full scholarship from the Shanghai government. I have always liked Shanghai. It is the most diverse, yet traditional city in China. It is where the west and east met. I decided to launch my new journey in this foreign city. I studied English Language and Literature, a major that I have always been fascinated about since high school. It was interesting to learn about the west through the eyes of the east.

Three years at Shanghai has gone by in the blink of an eye. I was very lucky to have watched the soccer match of the 2008 Beijing Olympics held in Shanghai, and also attended the Shanghai Expo in 2010. Meanwhile, great advancement in science and technology were also made. As an astronomy fan, nothing was more exciting than witnessing the new phase in China's space program, the launching of its first lunar orbiter Chang'e I. Again, a voice deep down told me I need to continue my journey in China to witness the great achievements of this country. There is still so much more to see here. In 2010 I reapplied to Tsinghua University, and received full scholarship from the Beijing government. I continued my PhD studies under the professor whom had inspired me most over the years.

Moving to Beijing was the most life changing decision I have made during my first five years in China. The four years of PhD studies and teaching English to non-English majors at Tsinghua University solidified my knowledge in English Language and Literature and teaching English. Alongside, my volunteer experience during Tsinghua University's centennial anniversary further gave me the chance to see the great progress the university and China has undergone along with the "The Belt and Road Initiative". I was no longer lost and searching for where I should go or what I can excel in. I found my true interest lies in teaching, and decided that will be my life-long career. Beijing was where all dreams began. It was there I found my goal, and also met my husband (originally from Jiangsu) for the first time.

After completing my PhD studies in 2014, I found myself drawn back to the mid-east, Shanghai, the pearl of the Orient again. Shanghai never ceases to be one of the most vibrant cities in China. I applied for a full-time teaching position at Fudan University, and began the third five years of my life in China. I came back to the school I once spent three years at as a student, and now, to begin my career as a teacher. I started teaching at the College English Department of Fudan University in the fall of 2014.

Looking back, each of the five years I have had was a personal life changing phase. I have learned and grown with the country, and found my true passion. I will soon be celebrating my fourth five years here in the city where I have now built a career, family and home. I look forward to raising my two children in China in the five years to come. We hope to continue our Chinese dream in this country of great happenings.

Gina Chang is currently a lecturer of College English Teaching Department, College of Foreign Languages and Literatures at Fudan University, Shanghai. She received her PhD from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, Tsinghua University, Beijing in 2014. She was born in Brazil and grew up in Paraguay, Spain, and Taiwan. After graduating from the American School of Madrid as an honor student in 2003, she came to Chinese mainland for Chinese studies and received her BA from Xiamen University in 2007, and her MA from Fudan University in 2010. Her research areas include cross-cultural communication and translation studies with special interests in film translation.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website.