Source: JobTube, Arianna J., Josh B., China News
In a classroom, several boys came to the platform, looking a bit shy but excited. One of them helped their teacher, Joseph Kamber, who came from Canada, to tidy up. One took out a toy from his pocket and handed it to Joseph. "Wow!" Joseph responded with an exaggerated expression and thumbs up.
Joseph, who has lived in China for 15 years in Guangdong and Xinjiang, is now a foreign English teacher of Lanzhou No.1 Middle School in Gansu Province. "Chinese martial arts strengthened my body, and Chinese people are always generous to help me in life. As long as Im needed, I will stay here." Said Joseph.
Joseph, a Canadian who has studied Kung Fu since the age of 13, has lived in China for 15 years
Kung Fu Attracted Him to China
Chinese Kung Fu was Joseph's "enlightenment teacher" to understand China. Born in Toronto, Canada, he used to be a thin boy who often was bullied by those big boys in the school. At the age of 13, he watched a Kung Fu movie starring Bruce Lee, which led him to the journey of learning Kung Fu.
Young Joseph began to learn Kung Fu by himself from books, but he often hurt himself. Later he went to a Taekwondo school to study as there was no Kung Fu school in his neighborhood. Attracted by the humility and friendliness in Kung Fu, Joseph made up his mind that one day he would go visit China.
In 2004, Joseph, who was an electronic engineer at a large enterprise in Vancouver, came to China despite the opposition of his family and friends.
The Most Popular Teacher
After his arrival in China, Joseph became a teacher in a university in Guangdong Province. "Speak no Chinese in my class" was his basic requirement, and it made his students open their mouths to speak English.
During the time, Joseph explored China during his winter and summer vacations. He went along the Silk Road to Xinjiang. While doing so, Joseph found that Xinjiang people were quite hospitable, but there were few foreigners there, and he felt he was more needed there. Later, Joseph left the prosperous south of China and moved to the northwest. In 2006, Joseph, who was humorous and an expert in Chinese Kung Fu, became the most popular foreign teacher among students of Xinjiang University.
Joseph teaching English
A Full Life in Xinjiang
During his years in Xinjiang, Joseph was not only a teacher, but also a foreign expert, translator, martial artist and volunteer. In his spare time, he went to rural schools to give classes; held lectures on English writing and speech to encourage students to stick to their dreams; led students to perform Chinese Kung Fu at the opening ceremony of the games; participated in foreign experts' meetings to offer suggestions for local development; translated and revised foreign books published by Chinese scholars, and more.
In short, his life was busy but happy.
In 2009, Joseph won the "Tianshan Award" issued by the people's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which is an official award for outstanding foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to Xinjiang's economic construction and social development.
At the end of 2010, Joseph fell in love with a local girl and they got married in 2012. Since then, China became his second home.
New Journey in Lanzhou
In 2018, Joseph came to work in Lanzhou. It was also a new journey for his Kong Fu learning, where he began to learn Wing Chun.
Joseph also likes photography and writing, and it has become his wish to write a book for foreigners to understand China. "A lot of foreigners have never visited China and they get to know the country through the Internet. I hope to show them the real China through my words and pictures," he said.
My 103 angles of China was on Joseph's writing list of 2019. He said its somehow like the 108 heroes in the Water Margin, and he wanted to record all the Chinese people who helped him in the past 15 years. "Actually, many and many people helped me, and 103 is just a figure. It is those people who make my life in China rich and varied." Said Joseph.
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