Do you have the courage to give up the job that you have worked for 18 years and to study a whole new language abroad? For Patricia, it’s not even a hard decision to make. Last year, she quit her job in a computer technical support company in Australia, and flew to study Chinese in Guangdong University of Foreign Language (GDUFS). She is now reapplying Chinese Government Scholarship to continue her study.

In a lively and gentle tone, she talked with Newsgd.com about her adventure in Guangdong.        

Patricia Escalon in the interview.

A film maker and yoga teacher

Newsgd.com: I’ve heard that you just quit your job without hesitance and flew to China? Is that ture?

Patricia (P):Yes. I didn’t like my last job. 18 years is a long time for being in the same industry. It’s time to change. And even before I came to China, I always thought the future of Australia is in Asia. My future will always be in Asia, so it’s very important to be here.

There are many Chinese in Australia. We are very used to Chinese culture but we don’t know about that. We live in parallel, but we adopt some habits, like Qigong, Zhongyao (traditional Chinese medicine). Also, our trading with China is very strong. To understand Chinese better, you’d better be here.

Newsgd.com: Why were you so determined to learn Chinese?

P: I am developing myself. I am a film maker and part time yoga teacher. I love Chinese films! I have admired Chen Kaige for 20 years (laugh). I also like Zhang Yimou, Wang Jiawei, and Jackie Chen. I want to understand Chinese films in original language, not just subtitles.

There is a huge yoga boom in China. As a yoga teacher, I decided that I would like to teach yoga in China because that would be really interesting.

Newsgd.com: Wow, a film maker, you are an artist!

P: Thanks (laugh). I am independent and I used my own salary to make films. I used to teach film to young people in Guatemala in Central American and make a few documentaries together. I also taught yoga there. I think maybe it’s a tool to heal them, to reach harmony.

Also, there are quite a lot of films happening here (in Guangzhou). There is an annual large documentary market, and it's very interesting, though it’s expensive to join in.

: Is Guangdong your first choice to study Chinese?

P: Yes. Most of Chinese immigrants in Australia are from Guangdong. We are already used to Cantonese culture, the Zaocha (morning tea), and Guangdong Cai (Cantonese cuisine). And Guangdong is next to HK and Macau. If I want to experience something western, that would be very convenient.

Photo taken by Patricia in Chen Clan Academy.

Enjoy the new experience in Guangdong   

Patricia lives a regular and colorful life in and outside campus. She studies very hard, sometimes 10 hours after class. But she knows how to relax from heavy study. She likes to experience many Chinese things, such as Qigong, Tai Chi, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine.

Normally her day starts with an hour yoga. Yoga and travel make up most of her spare time.

Newsgd.com: How do you start your yoga business?

P: From friends, or wechat groups. My clients are all foreigners but I will have a new Chinese student this week. Every Friday I teach private yoga lessons that take me 2 to 3 hours to prepare. I also teach on weekends in a yoga retreat in Maofeng Mountain.

Newsgd.com: Have you traveled to other cities in Guangdong? Do you have a favorite?

P: Yes, I have been to Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Yunfu. I don’t have a favorite, but I really like Guangzhou. I like the fact that you still have traditional markets, like traditional herbal medicine. Guangzhou is really like a Chinese city, combining both modern and tradition.

Photo taken by Patricia in Sun Yat-Sen Monument.

Newsgd.com: Would you like to share some funny experiences when you explore the city?

P: Well, last week we visited Huangpu village. They have a well that built up 500 years ago that they are still using. Clean drinkable water! It is unbelievable to us. There is also an old canal, on the other side there is a cafe. We were just looking inside, and the owner invited us in for a chat, and he was very friendly. That’s something that I like, people in Guangodng are very friendly and talkative.

  

Photo taken by Patricia in Huangpu village.

Newsgd.com: So far how’s your Chinese learning going ?

P: Excited improvements! I knew nothing last year, now I’m on basic 4 level. Things were all like stones in my mind, and suddenly one day, “Click”! I started to understand words! And then slowly, sentences! It’s a huge breakthrough and very exciting. GDUFS has a professional team of foreign teachers, and extremely good teachers in Chinese. They are very helpful and kind.