Intern Spotlight: Quanchao Fan
Learning Life’s student interns this spring semester 2019 are assisting with curriculum development, research, and international fundays as part of our Citizen Diplomacy Initiative (CDI), among other things. Quanchao (Marvin) Fan, interviewed below, has been helping with this work and outreach to possible CDI partners in China.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Xinxiang, Henan, China, an industrial city with a population over five million.
What school do you attend, and what is your year and major there?
I am in my second year of a Master’s degree in International Education at George Washington University.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to play and read with my little baby boy, Yuwen, now 9 months old. I also like to watch movies (especially historical dramas and comedies) with my wife, and play basketball or video games with friends.
Is there a life experience you have had that has particularly shaped you thus far? If so, what is it, and how has it shaped you?
I had an American teacher who taught us spoken English when I was a freshman in college in China. Before college, I had never been outside of my own province in China. I knew little about the outside world. During that one year of teaching us, this American teacher not only helped us improve our English speaking, but also introduced us to American and world culture, which totally opened my eyes to the world. I was lucky enough to become her personal assistant then, and that gave me a special opportunity to learn from her. She patiently guided me on how to be a responsible leader and organized professional. She even helped me get an internship with the State of Washington’s Department of Commerce in Seattle during my senior year in college. That was the first time I left China, and the first time I lived and worked in a completely different culture, which was challenging and life-changing for me. This professor has continued to mentor me for the last 12 years. I feel extremely grateful to her.
What are your career plans?
My next step is to return to teaching, maybe as a Chinese language teacher here in the United States. Eventually, I want to be an educator that can help young generations to be confident, independent-thinking, self-controlled, grateful and willing to learn.
Why did you choose to intern with Learning Life?
I believe this is a great opportunity to learn about kids from American lower-income families. Moreover, I would like to do my best to help these kids to learn about themselves and the world just like my American teacher in college has helped me.
What is the most beautiful place you have seen on Earth, and why is it so beautiful?
It is a Camping Ground on the right bank of the Columbia River in Vantage, Washington. I was there camping with my best friend in the summer 2011. From our camp site, we could see the spectacular view of the great Columbia River and feel the river’s cool wind. At night we could see millions of bright stars in the dark blue sky. I still have the breathtaking view in my head. That was my first time camping, building a camp fire, making and eating s’mores, sleeping in a car overnight, and clearly seeing millions of beautiful stars.