Think of moving to the other side of the world, and living there for over a year. Think of what you would say to your family. How they would have to adjust to you being gone, and how you would have to adjust to life without seeing them? This is the life of two professors that work at the newly opened Confucius Institute.

After the Confucius Institute opened last month, two professors from South Central University for Nationalities came to UW-Platteville. Professor He Ganjun will primarily teach Chinese language and Professor Wang Xiaojun will teach Chinese business. Other classes are in the works and will be open to the community.

Neither of the professors have ever been to the U.S., but are adjusting quite well. They receive help from some of the other professors and administrators on campus, Xiaojun said.

“I miss my husband and my step-daughter,” Wang said. “However, I think it’s a great idea for us to go outside our country, and share our experiences, in hopes of letting people know about China.”

He said some of the differences they have noticed so far are the strict time schedules, the food and of course the weather.

“The weather has been the biggest problem, it’s snowing in the morning and sunny in the afternoon,” He said. “I do get to talk to my family though, I talk with my wife and son over the computer everyday.”

“The Institute has been another step UW-Platteville has taken in hopes of making the campus more diverse and providing the students with a broader college experience” Tom Jonas, on-site coordinator for the china study abroad program, said.

“Language is a bridge,” He said. “We want to let people know about China so there is less miscommunication between our countries.”

The idea is echoed by professor Wang who said that there needs to be more of an understanding of other cultures that are different from our own, in hopes of ending cultural conflict.

He said he has taught Chinese to English speakers for the last fifteen years and his students range in age from children to senior citizens.

Wang said she plans to help American companies do business in China, which is what she did in China for British companies.

Wang said the institute will also provide a library complete with Chinese music and movies.

“It’s really a great opportunity for the community and also for these Chinese professors,” said Jonas. “Were all really excited.”