Denis Nurmela, an American professor in Changsha, discusses moving to China, publishing 'The True China' book, teaching at Chinese universities, and his plans to obtain permanent residency. Includes details on his speaking tour and book availability.
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by
DW Braithwaite
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DenisSharesChina.com
WNIC
EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW
WNIC: 1. What made you come to Changsha originally?
Denis:
The provincial government used to recommend college students who were interested in entrepreneurship to a summer training program in the USA. Attending workshops at the nonprofit school that I founded in California was part of their training in America. After doing this for about 3 years I was invited on a speaking tour in China in April of 2018. In three weeks I visited seven cities and gave speeches and lectures at a variety of universities, high schools, businesses and other organizations
While I was here on the speaking tour I fell in love with the country. I was amazed at the history and culture, I enjoyed the variety of food, and most importantly I fell in love with the Chinese people and how welcomed I felt as a foreigner. I had already retired in America and was open to some new adventures and opportunities in my life. I felt a strong urging inside myself and from many of the students who had attended my entrepreneurship training in America to move to China. My former entrepreneurship students all were from hometowns in Hunan, mostly in or around Changsha.
One of the boys who attended my entrepreneurship training program sent my curriculum vitae to Changsha university and they quickly sent me a job offer which I accepted. I loved working at Changsha university for six years before I reached retirement age and had to move to a province that was able to provide me with an age exemption work visa. I now teach at North China Electric Power University in Hebei, Baoding and love the school. I maintain an apartment in Changsha and visit often. I spend most holidays in Changsha.
WNIC: 2. What are your favourite aspects of China?
Denis:
Whenever I answer this question in an interview my answer is always, hands down, number 1, the people! However, I also love the culture and the variety of foods and the differences in culture as I travel around to different regions in China.
WNIC: 3. Has anything really surprised you about Chinese culture?
Denis:
I am often intrigued but rarely surprised. As an international speaker, I've traveled to many different countries so I'm not shocked when I learn of differences in the Chinese culture. However, I have been caught by surprise half-expecting someone would pay for my first birthday dinner, which is a common occurrence in America, only to find out, a few days later, that in China I'm supposed to buy all my guests their dinner on my birthday. Sometimes I will get caught in a little bit of embarrassment like that, but overall, I have adapted very quickly and easily to living my last 7 ½ years in China.
WNIC: 4. So you've produced a book. That's amazing. What's it about?
Denis:
"The True China, through a foreigner's Lens" in English and "情系华夏：美国教授的中国心" in Chinese are two books based on my experiences in China written by YoYo, my coauthor, and myself. This book takes a deep dive into the lives of Chinese people and my interactions with them.
We were lucky to have the manuscripts chosen by one of the largest book publishers in China. Now, the books are available at just about every online retailer and at XinHua bookstores all over China. Anyone who searches '情系华夏美国教授的中国' will find both languages on Taobao, JD, Tmall or DangDang APPs. My co-author and I over the next several months will continue to visit just about every major city in China giving speeches and signing copies of our books for the public. eBook and audiobook versions of both languages will become available soon. Updates on book signings and availability are available at TheTrueChina.com
The purpose of writing this book was much deeper than just sharing my stories. I really want the book to help open the doors to speaking on larger international stages to help build bridges of friendship between Chinese people and foreigners around the world. In the first two weeks we sold about 3000 copies of the books.
WNIC: 5. How have Chinese people received the book?
Denis:
I've received comments online from many Chinese readers. They seem to enjoy the roller coaster of emotions in the book. They find themselves laughing in some chapters and crying in others. It's very interesting for them to see how they are viewed through the lens of a foreigner living and working in China.
WNIC: 6. What are your future plans? Are we going to see more publications?
Denis:
I am already 3 chapters into writing the follow up book of The True China and based on a suggestion from a fellow influencer, I have also started writing a book about America for Chinese readers to learn about growing up in America where I spent the 1st 55 years of my life. A little further into the future I'm also considering writing an oral English textbook that focuses on speech since I am a professor of public speech and use some of the stories from these books in the textbook.
WNIC: 7. What are your future plans?
Denis:
I am currently on a retirement age exemption work visa until age 65 and love teaching at an amazing 211 university. I also give lectures on public speaking, subconscious mind success principles through neurolinguistics, and speeches about my books around China. Later this year I plan to apply for a permanent resident card (5-star card) and hope to stay in China. Since I am retired, I don't have to work if I don't want to. I would love to continue making fun videos like I have for the past few years as an Internet influencer, and I will continue to travel and give speeches and lectures.
Anyone who wants to find out where I'm going to be speaking next or if they just want to follow my fun and interesting videos online, they can search on just about every platform for "老夏 Denis" or they can visit DenisSharesChina.com to find exact links on international platforms.
WNIC: 8. Do you have any business advice for other foreigners looking to produce a book successfully?
Denis:
The publishing industry in China is different than that of America. In America you must submit your work through a literary agent who will then contact publishers with your manuscript if they feel it is worthy of printing. In China you can directly contact the publishers, but the key is finding the right publisher who has the established distribution channels for the demographic of readers who would be interested in your book. In one way the competition is a little bit harder in China since all authors directly contact the publishers. But it's also less convoluted than the American system. Of course, self-publishing is always a great option for first time writers.
WNIC: 9. So, if you could change something about your life in China, what would that be?
Denis:
The only thing that I would change about my life in China is that I wish I already had my permanent resident card here. I really love so much about my life in China. I love the influence that I have been able to give to my students in helping them to become more self-confident and gain English public speaking skills. I have also made so many long lasting and deep Chinese friendships. There is nothing else I would change except being able to live here forever!
WNIC: 10. Finally, is there anything else you'd like to add for the followers of WNIC and foreigners in general in Changsha and Hunan?
Denis:
I think it's great to meet new people even if it is through a medium like this newsletter. I'm not getting the chance to meet people face to face and shake their hand but I will say to all of you reading this article that I appreciate all the kindness and friendships I have received in China and I'm sure that I would be friends with you if I met you in person.
My recommendation to you as a foreigner or as a Chinese person would be to expand your comfort zone by getting out and meeting new people either in person or online especially if they are from a different culture or country than you.
The more we understand each other in this world the greater possibilities of lasting peace we have in the world!
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