Background – China “opened up” to the US in 1979 and our educational group went in 1984, a very short time afterward.

I was part of a great group called Intervarsity / IVCF and started studying Chinese my senior year at Cal Berkeley. My neighbor and friend Kris Koketsu encouraged me to hang in and not drop the class after 2 weeks – learning pinyin and 4 tones was tough at first!

I only took 1 semester because the start of the 2nd semester it seemed that everyone was way ahead of me. Not a good feeling!

Then I was recruited to join English Language Institute - China / ELIC, to teach in China. My church, family & friends supported me to the tune of $300 per month stipend (room and board provided by the host college) and part of the donation pool went to the org that sent us and other expenses (airfare!)

A few highlights / unusual stories – Note: mostly mishaps here but actually a very good experience overall and almost everyone was very kind to us (and curious about us). Some incidents were annoying but funny looking back at them.

Thinking of Moving to Florida?

Berkeley Paradox by Bob MichaelsonBy Bob MichaelsonJun 03, 2022