Taking off for Chongqing and Nanchang, August 2008
Dear Aitece Teacher,
Welcome back to a new semester. Some have already started teaching
while others are waiting for students to turn up but soon the Mid-Autumn
Festival will be coming and after that a longer-than-expected October break
so it may take some time to settle back in.
This September we are joined by seven new teachers and three
teachers returning after a break.
Two of the newcomers are from the States, two from Ireland and
one each from Australia, the UK and Germany. The last (from Germany) is
Dr Heinz Hesselfeld at Nanchang University who has been a colleague of
many Aitece teachers in Nanchang over the years and has finally joined
us. All of the new teachers are going to either Chongqing or Nanchang,
following Aitece’s policy of concentrating on the less developed areas
of China.
Bernadette Hargan is returning to Chongqing and Stan Cusack to
Huanan, Fuzhou, while Greg McEnnally is going to Tongren, Guizhou.
Ursula Scullane has moved from Shandong to Guiyang. In about a weeks time
we will be sending out the new address list so if there have been any changes
in your movements, addresses or phone numbers, please let us know as soon
as possible. Some teachers have moved from old campuses to new and if this
means a change of address we would like to know.
The orientation for the newcomers took place from August 25 to
28. For the first time it was held in our new meeting room above our office.
This proved more convenient for all and also seems to have added to the
family atmosphere of the gathering. There were thirteen at the final banquet,
always a highpoint.
Another addition to the orientation was a video made by John
Quigley (Nanchang), introducing his apartment, campus and classroom as
well as a weekly gatherings of the teachers there. John’s efforts were
greatly appreciated and helpful.
With best wishes for the new semester from all here,
Hugh, William and Rita.
