Qingdao Expat Magazine October 2012

A New Meeting

Point

October 2012

Young in QingdaoA Teacher in Qingdao10 Must Do in Beijing

Q I N G D A O EXPAT MAGAZINE

Your community resource

Qingdao Expat Magazine - 2

Creative Director Jenny Ek [email protected]

PhotographerMarit Rambech

Editorial TeamCathy Ben-David Preeti Chaudhary

Events, Website & E-communications Preeti Chaudhary [email protected]

ContributorsMarit Rambech, Jenny Ek, Cathy Ben-David, Preeti Chaudhary, Marissa Balough, Donne Liddiard. Cover PhotoMarit Rambech

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Photo: Marit Rambech


IN THIS ISSUEGet the

latest QD

news!

Expat StagesA New Meeting Point 4

Doing Business in QD A Teacher in Qingdao 6

Young Expats Young in Qingdao 8

Qingdao in PicturesOld Man Beach 10Low Tide 11Laoshan 12 What’s cooking in QD? North Indian Chicken Curry 14

Expat Travel10 Must Do in Beijing 16

Out and About Evens in October 18Events for Young Expats 19Weekly Events 20Weekends in Qingdao 20Attractions to Visit in QIngdao 21Get Your Questions Answered 21Musical Monkeys for Toddlers 22

Expat BirthdaysBirthdays in October 23

Musings of the Creative DirectorAlready October, holiday time and also time for a new issue of Qingdao Expat Magazine, time really flies.

In this issue you can read about Anna, a young girl who already lived in Qingdao for 8 years. You can also read about Christine who works as a teacher here. A great news is also that Qingdao now has its own International Community Centre - read more about the centre on page 4 and the Launch Party on page 18.

Have a great Moon Festival - and don’t fotget to eat a moon cake or two!

Best, Jenny EkCreative [email protected]

Photo: Marit Rambech

In the last weeks I have been busy with visitors from Sweden. I brought them out for a sail one a day - a great way to show Qingdao - highly recommended!


A NEW MEETINGPOINTMISSION STATEMENTTo build and to bridge communities and to bring people together in an informal and sociable manner.

A place for all ages to gather and share activities for social gain and to contribute to a meaningful daily life in Qingdao.

WHAT IS THE QICC ALL ABOUTThe QICC was launched in August 2012. Our vision behind Qingdao’s first Community Centre was to provide endless benefits for the foreign communities in the region.

We are enthusiastic to listen to the needs and requests of people of all ages and are keen to see widening uses of the Qingdao Community Centre. We would like to help the community facilitate indoor and outdoor activities and we seek to fulfill any social gaps for families and individuals.

Whether you are wanting to learn a foreign language, take a cooking class, join a study group or if you are just looking for a comfortable space to meet your friends for a cup of coffee, then the QICC is what you are looking for.

VISIT OUR WEBSITEBy visiting our interactive website: www.qingdaocommunitycentre.com the community will be able to see all the upcoming events that the QICC has to offer. Our website will also provide the necessary information needed to make use of the QICC. We encourage any feedback and suggestions via our website.

We aim to provide activities for a range of different age groups, from toddlers to adults, so that everyone’s needs are catered for.

LAUNCH PARTYThe official Qingdao International Community Centre Launch Party will take place on Saturday 20th October 2012, starting at 11am. The purpose of this event is not only to celebrate the opening of the Qingdao Community Centre but also to give the community a taste of some activities that would take place at this Community Centre in the future. Please visit the website for further details and to book your spot at this event.

By Donne Liddiard

Address: 72 Tai Hang Shan Lu,

Huangdao


Expat Stages

Photos: Donne Liddiard

Read more a

bout the

Launch Party

at page 26

!

...TO THIS!

FROM THAT...



What is different about working in China compared to your home country?I find working in China much more enjoyable because the culture is very different than in the USA. I like studying about different cultures and the Chinese culture and its people I find very interesting. The Chinese have a way of slowing down and smelling the roses. In The USA, I find that it is more fast paced. Here I have more time to do the things that I enjoy doing and learning the language. Also, I have the opportunity of meeting people from many different countries, she tells.

What is the best? I must admit that the best part of working in China is the ability to be able to save money. With the economy situation in the USA and other countries saving is challenging.

China has given me many opportunities to enjoy my work and the chance to save and be able to help my family with different financial needs. Also, working in China has been an experience that has given me a thirst to continually improve myself as a teacher, she states.

Christine finds the school setting, in a Chinese school, enjoyable. A typical day for Christine would be a busy one. Greeting her students and co-workers is a daily routine. In the classroom she focus on building rapport with her students and trying to make the lesson enjoyable so that they can gain confidence and improve their ability to communicate in English. We met her and asked about her experience working and living in China.

A Teacher in Qingdao

“I have the opportunity of meeting people from many different countries”


What was the most difficult part of living in China? Probably the most challenging part of moving and living in China has been the language. One really needs to learn a little Chinese in order to survive here. Also, when learning the language, we are able to get to know the people and their culture a little better. It’s been an adventure, she says.

What do you miss most from home? I have lived in different countries so home is a little foreign to me at times but of course not seeing my family as often as I would like has had its challenges but I know that I am making a difference in the lives of others so they understand, she explains.

What is the best part of living in China? I must admit that the best part of living in China is building relationships. Over the years, I have made so many wonderful Chinese friends but also foreign.

To be able to learn about other cultures has helped me mature as a person and to see the world in a different light.

Also, as a teacher, I find great satisfaction in knowing that I have had a part in my students’ learning the English language. To know that they have grown to be more confident in their ability to learn English has been very rewarding, Christine says.

Also, living in China has given me many opportunities to travel, she adds.

How long will you stay?I’m not sure how long I will stay in China but for now I am enjoying my life here, Christine says with a smile. I take each year at a time, she adds.

By Jenny Ek & Marit Rambech

Doing Business in Q

D

My name is Christine Zahran and I’m from the USA. My father is Middle Eastern and my mother is from the Dominican Republic. I have been living in China for 7 1/2 years and in Qingdao, for 6 1/2 years. Prior to coming to China, I had worked for an International Company running a financial training program for South American radio station managers. Two years ago, I received my CELTA (Cambridge English to Adults) Accreditation in Vietnam. Last year, I received my Director of Studies/Teacher Training in Barcelona, Spain.

Apart from traveling, teaching is one of my passions. It gives me great satisfaction to see learning in action and to know that I’ve been an active part in that learning process. One of my ultimate goals is to train non-native speakers to teach English with the proficiency and passion that the language should be taught.

“I look forward to having fun and being a lifetime learner!”

Photos: Marit Rambech

A Teacher in Qingdao

This is Christine

“China has given me many opportunities”

Share your experience!

Send an email to qingdaoexpateditor

@yahoo.com


Young in Qingdao

Want to share your story? Send an email to qingdaoexpateditor

@yahoo.com

Anna, after 8 years in Qingdao, where is “home”? England or China? This is such a difficult question to answer! As I am now 16, it is fact that I have lived in Qingdao longer than England, so people would say that Qingdao is my home.

BUT, honestly Qingdao and England are both my homes, if I am in England I miss Qingdao, if I am in Qingdao I miss England so it is still a question I try to answer everyday of living here.

How do you keep in touch with friends and family in England?I mainly keep in touch with family and friends in England through Skype. Since Facebook and Twitter etc. were blocked in China I haven’t

really been using it other than when I go on holiday to countries that allow them. I also send a few emails here and there.

Which school do you go to?When I first moved to Qingdao in 2005 there were only 2 schools QIS (or QISS as this is its new name) so I attended this school for 2 years before moving to the new British school in Qingdao YCIS (Yew Chung International School) in 2007. I have been at the school from year 7 (grade 6) to year 12 (grade 11).

How is school?School is an adventure. I am one of the only Brits in the school, but I enjoy the international environment.

There are currently only 2 students in the A Level programme at YCIS, myself and a Korean boy.

A typical day for me based on my A Level course would be to have the typical English and Maths class, along with Marine Science, Chinese and Travel and Tourism (which is my favourite subject!) In total we have 7 periods a day with a 15 minute break and a 50 minute lunch time.

How did you learn Mandarin?I started learning Mandarin at the age of 8 at QIS, but once I moved to YCIS I really started to study hard in the subject as YCIS has a great Chinese curriculum that helped me get an A* (97%) in my

When Anna was 8 years old she remembered her dad coming back home from work in England and asked Anna and her mum if they would like to move to China. To me, as an 8 year old I was excited but for my mum it was a big shock, Anna says. Funnily enough my dad had already agreed to the question at work that day so it didn’t really leave us enough time to say no, she continues. In the end, we didn’t say no and within a few months we were out in Qingdao. When I first arrived in Qingdao it was quiet, there weren’t so many foreigners 8 years ago, as there are now, Anna adds.

With 8 years in Qingdao, Anna is probably one of the most experienced expats here, despite her young age. We asked her to share her experience of being a young girl in Qingdao.


International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

Can you give any tip to other young expats that struggle to learn Mandarin?My tips for young expats learning Chinese is, don’t give up. If you feel that you are struggling in the subject then just push through it. Of course it will be hard but Chinese teachers know this and will not force pressure on you. Another tip is to converse with Chinese nationals as this will give you more confidence and a stronger accent!!

How is life as a young girl in China?Life as a young girl in China is a roller coaster, you still go through a lot of emotions that a typical

teenage girl would do but to be honest it has been the best experience of my life and I am thankful to my parents for giving me this great opportunity.

What do you do in your spare time?In my spare time, I usually chat to friends on my laptop, photography or go to Marina city to watch a movie, go shopping or just have fun by the water with my friends.

What is your future plan?My future plan is to graduate YCIS with great grades and plan to go to a good university either in England or somewhere in Asia, maybe Australia or New Zealand. I would love to become a hotel manager or do something related to hotels.

What do you think your life looks like in ten years?I think my life will be pretty awesome in 10 years, hopefully I will have a great job in a place that I love, have lots of friends and just live life as it comes.

Do you have any tip to other youths living in Qingdao?My best tip for youths out here in Qingdao is to be sociable. Get to know the people around you who are the same age and have a similar background of moving around so you don’t feel like the only one and enjoy this experience you have the best you can!

By Jenny Ek and Marit Rambech

Young Expats

Photo: Private

Anna together with her parents.

Qingdao Expat Magazine - 10Qingdao Expat Magazine - 10

OLD MAN BEACH

by Marissa Balough

Share your photos!


@yahoo.comLOW TIDE

Qingdao Expat Magazine - 11Qingdao Expat Magazine - 11

Qingdao in Pictures

by Marit Rambech

LOW TIDE


LAOSHANShare your photos! Send an email to [email protected]


Qingdao Expat Magazine - 13Qingdao Expat Magazine - 13 By Marit Rambech

Qingdao in Pictures

LAOSHANShare your photos! Send an email to [email protected]


Share a recipe from your country!


@yahoo.com

INGREDIENS4 tablespoons oil (sunflower seed/groundnut/mixed nuts)4-5 dry bay leaves3-4 dry red chillies 2 cloves1 teaspoon cumin seeds1 teaspoon black peppercorns

1-2 small-medium onions, choppedPaste of 4-5 small-medium onions2 ½ - 3 inch piece of skinned ginger 6-8 cloves of skinned garlic (blended in a food processor)3-4 medium sized tomatoes (blended in a food processor)

½ - 1 teaspoon ground turmeric1 – 2 tablespoon ground coriander½ - ¾ teaspoon red chilli powder

1 – 2 teaspoon garam masala (or you can make your own by dry grinding the following spices in a food processor, store the extra in an airtight container in a cool and dark place for upto a month for future use)

1 tablespoon black peppercorns½ tablespoon whole cloves1 tablespoon plus ½ teaspoon cardamom seeds3 tablespoons cumin seeds3 tablespoons coriander seeds4 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks1/4 cup dried red chilles1/2 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg or nutmeg powder

All/most of these spices should be mostly available at Metro but if you can’t find them then instead of the garam masala, it is fine to buy the ready made Indian Curry spice mix powder, also available at Metro/Hisense Supermarket – you will just need to adjust the hotness of the curry by adding an extra ½ - 1 teaspoon of chilli powder according to your taste if you prefer it a bit hot!

Salt, to taste (usually ¾ - 1 teaspoon is enough)500 grams chicken breasts, thoroughly washed and cut into bite size pieces1 handful of washed, finely chopped fresh coriander leaves

Expat Home Cooking:

North Indian Chicken Curry


What’s Cooking in Q

D?

TIME Total 1 hour 20 minutes approximately Prep 35-40 minutesCook 35-40 minutes

SERVES4-5

METHOD Heat the oil in a deep wok like non-stick pan, over a medium-high heat. Once it is almost-smoking hot, reduce the heat to medium and add the dry bay leaves, dry red chillies, cloves, cumin seeds and black peppercorns and fry for about 20-25 seconds until aromatic.

Add the chopped onion and cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the onion, ginger and garlic paste and cook stirring often for 7-8 minutes or until golden brown. Add the salt and turmeric, coriander and red chilli powders + garam masala and stir for another 3-4 minutes. Pour in the tomato paste and cook over a medium heat for about 10 minutes, until the liquid has reduced and the oil leaves the sides of the pan.

Add the chicken pieces and brown them over a medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes. Add enough water to almost cover the chicken (about 300-350ml), bring to the boil and then cook with the pan covered (with a slight gap to prevent from spilling) over a low heat until the chicken is cooked through and the liquid reduces (about ¼ should be gone) so the gravy thickens a bit (about ¾ should remain from original). The slower it cooks the better it tastes, this takes about 35-40 minutes for medium bite sized chicken pieces. Check with a fork: once the chicken is tender, it is done.

Dish out directly into a deep serving bowl/serving dish while still piping hot. To garnish, sprinkle with the finely chopped fresh coriander leaves. Serve, while still hot, on individual plates, accompanied with plain white rice. (Any leftovers can easily be frozen and reused for upto 7 days. For reuse – take out from the freezer and thaw (in the fridge side) a day before you intend to use the curry. Re-heat over medium-high heat in a non-stick pan just before serving and then garnish with finely chopped fresh coriander leaves and serve individually accompanied with plain white rice.)

By Preeti Chaudhary

Photos: Preeti Chaudhary


10 MUST DO IN BEIJING

Discover the Forbidden City

5.

Cross Tian’anmen Square

4.

Eat Beijing Duck2.

Stroll in the Summer Palace

3.

Climb the Great Wall1.

By Marit Rambech, Jenny Ek & Preeti Chaudhary



Have a drink at Lan Club

6.

Get lost in the Hutongs

7.

Get Creative at798 Art District

9.

Bargain at Silk Street

8.

Discover the Forbidden City

Stroll in the Summer Palace

Go and see the Ledgend of Kung Fu at the Red Teather

10.Qingdao Expat Magazine - 17

Expat Travel


Events in October


Out &

About

Events for Young Expats

Qingdao PlaygroupThursdays 10.00 am - 11.30 am.E-mail: [email protected]

PLAY! Musical MonkeysFridays 10.30 am - 11.30 am.E-mail: [email protected]

MUSICAL MONKEYS!

Note: New music for toddlers programme is availablew - Read more on page 30.

Sponsored by YCIS, at Qingdao Interna5onal Community Centre.Saturday mornings November 3rd,10th,17th and 24th

The Award Ceremony will conclude the session on November 24th

QINGDAO YOUTH SOCCER CLUB

TWO DIVISIONSTIGERS (AGES 6 – 8 ) 10:15 – 11:45LIONS ( AGES 9 – 12 ) 11:45 – 13:15

COST is 375 RMB/child. Includes full uniform, team photo, officials, awards and bus shu\le Registra5on Capacity 24 per division (first come first serve basis, see email contact)

Volunteer Coaches/Assistant Coaches needed! (experience an asset but not necessary.)

Shu\le Bus Route Transporta5on to be provided (Qingdao Jusco pick up to Qingdao Interna5onal Community Centre, 72 Tai Hang

Shan Lu, Huangdao.)Child must be accompanied by parent/

guardian to each session

FOUR WEEK PROGRAMME

Email for registra5oninfo@qingdaocommunity centre.com


Qingdao International Business Association (QIBA)Wednesday at 7 pmQIBA meets on the 4th Wednesday of each monthHotel InterContinental 1F

Coctails 6:30 to 7:30 pmMeeting start at 7 pm

For more info contact [email protected]

Weekly Events

“Culture Club“Thursdays at 1 pm - 4 pmWalk Inn Japanese Restaurant4F Xinwen Zhongxin Buildning, 50 Hong Kong Middle Road

Fun and cultural entertainment whilst learning this Chinese ancient game. Each player donates 20 RMB for the Qingdao Expat Charity.

For more info contact [email protected]

Running EveningsTuesdays evenings at 7:15 pmFor everyone who is interested in running but is tired of running alone, come along for an easy run of about 60 minutes!

Meeting place alternates between Red Sculpture on May 4th Square and Shi Lao Ren SPR.

For more info or get to get onto the mail list contact [email protected]

Are you new in town? Or do you want to meet up with old friends?Come and join us for one of our Expat Coffee Mornings to make new friends, mix, mingle and catch-up with old ones or just to enjoy the stunning downtown view in some great company!

Every Wednesday at Starbucks (next to H&M) Marina City, Olympic Sailing Marina. Begins at 10.45 AM.

Join us on our Coffee Mornings!

PICTURE

Want a weekly

reminder?

Please join our Expat

Coffe Morning mailing

list by emailing

[email protected]

Photo: Marit RambechPhoto: Jenny Ek

Weekends in Qingdao

Qingdao International Christian FellowshipSunday Mornings 10 am - 11.30 amAll foreign passport holders are welcome!

InterContinental Hotel Auditorium 3 F,98 Aomen Lu.

For more info visit www.qicf.org orsend an email to [email protected]

Qingdao Hash House Harriers- Runners and WalkersSaturday afternoons at 2 pm Regular HHH runs for 60 - 90 minutes

Meets in the lobby of the Crown PlazaCost: 10 RMB to cover beers and bus.

For more info visit www.facebook.com/qdhhh or toget onto the mail list contact [email protected]

Photo: Marit RambechPhoto: Jenny EkPhoto: Jenny Ek

Photo: Jenny Ek


Out &

About

Questions about living in Qingdao?

Gerd Burkard Germany (Business Related)Phone: 139 6395 6259E-mail: [email protected]

Our Expat Representatives will answer your questions!

Pia Vinchon-TahonFrancePhone: 139 6398 5712E-mail: [email protected]

Alex Schroeter & Christlane Lawo-Fu GermanyE-mail: [email protected]

Preeti ChaudharyIndiaPhone: 150 5322 7805E-mail: [email protected]

Lao Van EchelpoelBelgiumPhone: 136 7889 8189E-mail: [email protected]

Cathy Ben-DavidEnglandE-mail: [email protected]

?

Help our Newbies! Interested in being a contact person?Please send an email to [email protected]!

Qingdao PierLocated off the 1st bay near

bathing beach No. 6. This famous symbol apperars on the Tsingtao

Beer label.

You can find info about more attractions on our website: www.qingdaoexpat.com

Photo: Jenny Ek Photo: Marit Rambech

Little QingdaoA small island with a light house

and a café. Connected to the land by a narrow bridge. Open daily.

Entrance fee 15 yuan.

Photo: Jenny Ek

Attractions to visit

TV Sightseeing Tower348 metres tall and located in the north of Zhongshan Park. It has

many different platforms for viewing.


If you have a child aged 1 to 3.5 and you would like to continue with

music for young children – this is for you!

A new music for toddlers programme is available. (Foreign passport holders only)

12th and 26th of October•9:30 am Music Session (free of charge)•10:15 am snack and drink picnic (fruit provided)•10:15 am Outdoor play•11:00 am Home time

MUSICAL MONKEYS!

A basic bus shuttle will be provided:•Jin Hai 8:50amSurf Plaza 9:15am (Hong Kong Road)(other pick-up places can be considered)

•Music Room at YCIS Qingdao CampsBuilding 7, 36 Laoshan Road

Please contact [email protected] for more details.


Happy Birthday! Sheng Ri Kuai Le!

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John CHAPPLE Emma DINGOliver CHAN

Peter BAMBERG (‘88) Jackline RAGGI (‘96)Peter WADDINGTONLawrence WONGShoko HEARLEY

Rex ELLIOTTRiitta LAAKSONEN, Elin TINNERT (‘01)Matthew BRuNO

Amit OZ (‘92)Carly REYNOLDS

Joanna CORL (‘98)Pieter GEERTS

Max KOLDING JOHANSEN (‘06)Steffen SCHEFFLERYutaka SAKAMOTOFrands NIELSENKris VEEN

Daniele RADRIZZANI

Askand ILLTELLYOuSeojin KIM (‘01)Bastian PRIESNITZ

Andrew HERD Cathy BEN-DAVID

Wolfgang VOLLERTMaelie BALEIX (‘04)Elli PIROuNAKIS Piyapas SAEKuOConstantin QuAMBuSCH

Ryan HOEFFT (‘00) George ROMANOSHimashie PERERA

Haim SCHWARTZMaia GIVLIHarry VAN PEBORGH-GOOCH (‘05) Jonathan SHI (‘04)Maia GIVLI

Shu Shin TING (‘88)Cecily EXNER

Leo VAN ECHELPOELJulieta CASOAbbie SYKES

Aidan WANG Bastian PRIESNITZAlessandra MARELLI

Michael SCHuLZWei LIuYoung Nim KWON Adam KAuFMAN

Dong Ying KIM (‘95)Sara RuSSELL

Saskia BÜNTE (‘94)Kenji YAMAMOTOLarry GAO

Patricia BAMBERG (‘89) Christine ANDERSSON (‘99)Sunny HuANG

Louise YuRu NIuNathalie RENTON

Denali SMITH (‘97)Juanita DE SOuZAMoon Kyn CHOE (‘93)Mirjam ERHARD

Tomas GuSTAFSSON

Birthdays in OCTOBER

JESSICA MENGJessica MengWilma EKSTRöM

Kyung Lee KIMursula uLLMANN

Expat Birthdays

Elise SAE-JuNg KwON

31

Q I N G D A O EXPAT MAGAZINE

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Qingdao Expat Magazine October 2012