Shanghai University of Sport: An Interview with Ruixi Jin

Ruixi Jin is one of ten student-athletes from the Shanghai University of Sport (SUS) studying with UW’s Division of Kinesiology & Health and training with the Nordic ski team. This is the fourth annual partnership between UW and SUS, which consists of a nine-month program focusing on Nordic ski education and expanding cultural understanding for students and faculty. Ruixi, who uses the English name “Bettie” at UW, is finishing her third year of study at SUS and will be in the inaugural graduating class of the school’s new International Education of Chinese Language degree program. WyoGlobal instructor and assistant director Josh Moro interviewed Bettie, following her presentation at this year’s International Education Week. Bettie is originally from Zibo City, in Shandong Province, about 260 miles south of Beijing. The conversation below has been edited for content and clarity.

 

---

Josh: Can you talk about your major at Shanghai University of Sport? Why is it "international education?” How is Chinese language education related to the SUS? This is a university of sports-related education, right?

Bettie: There are two aspects of this answer. First, because [the university administration] wants to make our school stronger by including diverse majors they have introduced this and, luckily, I'm among the first students of this major.

The next reason is sports! Sports are an international language with a global character, and the exchanges between China and other countries are increasing. There are many sports universities in China with a large number of international students, whose Chinese proficiency needs to be improved. Therefore, there is a great demand for teaching Chinese to foreign students, and many teachers in this field are needed.

Josh: You are from Zibo, in Shandong Province. I'm wondering, why did you choose to go to Shanghai University of Sport?

Bettie: When I got my [college entrance] exam results, it occurred to me that I need to first choose the city and then the school and then the major. I really, really liked Shanghai when I was in my childhood. It's always been my dream city. I can see that, so there is no hesitation. I chose Shanghai, and then, because I really like sports—I'm always energetic and full of sunshine and love—yes, so I chose Shanghai University of Sport. And I started international education of Chinese language just because I liked English when I was young. I like to spread Chinese culture to different countries. Also, I know that English has its own idioms. But for some Chinese idioms there is no translation to English, and I want to share those idioms, which really do have some wisdom, with other people who do not speak Chinese.

Josh: Why is Shanghai your dream city?

Bettie: Because I think Shanghai is the most advanced city in our country. It's just like New York to America.

Josh: When you say that you see Shanghai as the most advanced city in China, what do you mean by advanced?

Bettie: First, it is very apparent that the city's facilities are very advanced. They have a subway. They have a modern [skyline]. My first time in Shanghai, I took a subway with my father and when we get off there were too many people! I had never seen so many people before. At the same time, I felt like I was just a normal person in Shanghai, yes, but I liked that feeling. I’m welcomed there. Everyone is equal. Although this is a very big and [modern] city, everyone is equal.

Second, the people in Shanghai, they are very open-minded.

Josh: What is the most interesting class you are taking at Shanghai University of Sport?

Bettie: Let me think about the most interesting class...Second language teaching methods and educational psychology.

Josh: When you are doing second language teaching methods, does that mean you are studying the method for teaching Mandarin or other languages?

Bettie: Mandarin, but what we learn in this class is not to teach us how to teach Mandarin. It is a diverse method. We learn theory in this class, a lot of theory.

Josh: Educational psychology is also another class you mentioned?

Bettie: Yes, and in there I learned a lot about the about human character and development. Everyone has an important period in their development for language learning. The methods on teaching the second language are different than when you start learning your first language. This part of second language learning impressed me most.

Josh: Educational psychology, second language methods…Do you take any sports classes?

Bettie: No, but I have learned jump rope on our school team. We went out and got a lot of championships.

Josh: Were you doing jump rope before you came to the university?

Bettie: No, I started in my second year. I taught jump rope in primary and middle schools, and in some high schools. There was a period in my third year when I taught class every day from Monday to Friday—at least one class every day—and, on the weekend, I taught four classes per day. I’d go to middle schools to teach them how to jump rope. It lets me make a lot of money, so I don't need any money from my parents.

I [recently] went to Laramie Middle School and taught them. And when I got to the University of Wyoming, I learned a lot of physical education theory about tactical game models—TGM—and sports education models—SEM. I can use what I have learned in China about how to do fancy jump rope, also combined with models I learned here—TGM and SEM, to teach American students. I used the new combination to teach [the students at Laramie Middle School]. I designed my own class plan and the class materials, and I did it!

Josh: This is very interesting.

Bettie: Thank you, and this experience has been posted our Shanghai University of Sport website.

Josh: Next is a two-part question: How did you learn about the international program that you're in at the University of Wyoming, and why did you decide to do this program?

Bettie: My favorite teacher told me about the program. I think it is fate. Is that the word? Yes. F-A-T-E. I think it is.

Josh: You think this is fate because your favorite teacher...

Bettie: Yes! One day, my teacher sent me a message. He asked me, "Do you have time to come to my office this day?" When I went there, his first words are…in Mandarin, of course… “There is an opportunity that can change your whole life. Do you want to know what it is?"

Josh: Oh, really?

Bettie: Yes, and I was shocked because he only taught me in one class during the three years. But he remembered me because I was very serious about his homework and interested in what he teaches. He really appreciated what I had done in our school. I can combine language and sport together, and do the two aspects well, so he wanted me to know about this program. At first, I refused.

Josh: Why?

Bettie: Because I didn't want to leave my hometown! In my mind, I think Shanghai is a comfortable city. I didn't want to leave there. It took me a lot of time to decide. I didn't want to disappoint him.

But he wanted me to prepare for this program [with UW] in advance so that I can have a better chance to [be selected for it]. He wanted me to do more physical exercise. Because in China, I mean, if we are not a sports student, an athlete, it means we [don’t focus on] physical conditioning.

Josh: Really?

Bettie: Yeah. This is very different from America. I think here many more students pay more attention to physical conditioning. In China, if we are not going to be an athlete when we are young we study in the classroom all day, and we don't have as many PE classes.

Josh: How many students are applying for this program at Shanghai University of Sport? Do you know?

Bettie: Our teacher said there is more than 100.

Josh: You said that when your teacher first told you about this program, you didn't want to do it. Why did you change your mind? 

Bettie: It is because of advice from my friend. He said, "I think you should go out and have a look." He meant I need to look more at the diverse world.

Josh: Okay, so your friend said that you should go out and see more of the world?

Bettie: Yes, and now I think he's very right. Before I came here, I thought, "Is there anything I need to see from around the world? I don't think so." But when I came here, I [saw] that there are many differences between American people and Chinese people, a lot, from the very young to the old.

Josh: Do you see anything that is similar between people in the United States and the Chinese people?

Bettie: Yes. I think teamwork is, in both places, emphasized. Teamwork.

Josh: Thank you for these answers. Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Bettie: I just wish that this program continues, because it will give more and more students the choice to go out and see the world. This is my wish.

Josh: Well, I think it's very, very interesting. Your background in international language education, jump rope, and then you are—

Bettie: Skiing!

Josh: Yes, Nordic skiing. It is very fascinating.

Bettie: Thank you. By the way, the thing I like most here is not only Nordic skiing. It's a class—Teaching Lab III is the name [KIN 4017: Practicum]. I also really enjoy Move Core I [KIN 2001].

Josh: Are these in the Division of Kinesiology?

Bettie: Yes. And the teaching models I learned are what I used in Laramie Middle School. I really want to take these two models to China, to our school. The TGM and SEM. They are so wonderful. I think this can lead to a new model for China's physical education.

Last week, I had a meeting with my professor here at UW, Tristan Wallhead. I told him my goal and he said to remember that in two weeks our headmaster—the president of Shanghai University of Sport—will come to UW. He thinks I should tell my ideas with the headmaster.

This is the funny thing. I told Tristan that, "No, I can't communicate with her!" And Wallhead told me, “Yes you can, it’s ‘Women's power!’”