Dinner with a family in Beijing — Jon Burky

Last night I had a wonderful opportunity to see the home-life of a family in Beijing. A few weeks ago while visiting the Summer Palace, I met Nina, a sixteen year old high school student. We had been trying to meet for quite a while, but it was difficult to find a time that worked for both us because she doesn't usually get home from school until 7pm, and then must dedicate the rest of the evening to homework.

Nina lives with her grandparents, and shares a bedroom with her great-grandmother who is ninety-four years old. Outside her building was a courtyard where children were playing, and older folks were relaxing in the sun and watching the children play. I was very surprised to hear that the complex was less than twenty years old. The buildings were not rundown, but definitely could use a facelift of sorts. The flat consisted of four rooms: a tiny kitchen, living room/eating area, and two bedrooms. I would guess that the entire living space was less than 400 square feet, which really isn't very much for a family of five, but typical of Beijing living.

Nina's grandparents were very warm and welcoming. I waited in the living room and listened while Nina explained to them that I was a vegetarian. We then chatted in the living room while her grandmother cooked dinner. She showed me some of her English practice books, and the book she had checked out at the library - A Christmas Carol. I thought it was interesting that she lived with her grandparents instead of her parents, but she explained that her grandparents lived much closer to her school, though it was still an hour away by bus.

Dinner consisted of a plate of bean sprouts, radish salad, boiled peanuts, fried peanuts, garlic soaked cucumbers, sugar coated apple slices, fried eggs, sesame cakes, vegetable soup, thousand year old egg, and of course Jasmine tea. I ate some of each dish though I managed to overlook the thousand year old egg. Everything was delicious, though the cucumbers set my mouth on fire. For awhile both of her grandparents stood in the doorway and watched us eat. They both smiled ear to ear, and wanted to know which dishes I liked the best. Her grandmother was especially proud of the sesame cakes, and was very interested in whether or not I liked the cucumbers. I smiled and ate a whole lot of it to her extreme satisfaction, and dreamt of a cold glass of water to put out the fire in my mouth. Her grandparents then sat in their room and watched T.V. while Nina and I ate.

I learned a lot about the school system in China from Nina. She attends a business high school which is different than a regular high school. It is three grades, and the students are mainly between the ages of sixteen and nineteen. A business school is different because it is more like the equivalent of a vocational school in the United States. The students learn skills that will be useful in their trade. Graduates from this school do not go on to universities, but usually enter the work force upon graduation. One exception is for those studying English. Students studying English may go on to universities abroad to further their education. Nina is focusing on English and plans on studying in either England or the United States after graduation. Her ability to communicate in English is excellent. I could speak to her without slowing down too much, or choosing too simple of phrases. I also taught her some slang expressions such as "That's cool, What's up Yo?, and Right on." I found some major differences between the high schools in Beijing and the high schools in the US. From what I've learned so far, discipline problems are virtually nonexistent. The students learn a code of regulations, and they follow them. I asked Nina if there were students who didn't do all their work, and who goofed around a lot. She had to think for a while, and then remembered that once in her primary school she knew a boy who was like that, and he was not able to go to High School. The children are very dedicated and motivated to excel in school.