Song Xiaoyan

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We recently chatted with the Vice President of ChuShan, Song Xiaoyan, to learn more about ChuShanand the philosophy behind their study abroad programs.

What position do you hold at ChuShan? What has been your career path so far?

I am vice president of ChuShan Private Institute of Classic Chinese Language and Traditional Culture. I also worked in the business world for a number of years, as well as the government. My educational background is in economics and statistics. I guess you could say that I do a bit of everything!

What does the future hold for ChuShan - any exciting new programs to share?

Yes, we do think it is one very important issue for both Chinese and any foreigner friends who have real interesting for real pure Chinese wisdom. In recent hundrend years, most of the real Chinese tradition and culture and wisdom were lost. In contrast with those public confusing ideas, the true Chinese language consists of two parts: vernacular Chinese and ancient classical Chinese(although all Chinese use a same set of Han characters). Vernacular Chinese is using for daily life including science and technology learning(that is why it is also called Modern Chinese sometime). Famous vernacular Chinese is Mandarin and Cantonese (In fact these name is used to present the difference of them on accent). And the traditional classical Chinese is used for inheriting the wisdom and culture. Nobody could understand the Chinese culture and traditional wisdom(Confucius, Taoism, FengShui, YinYang, TaiJi etc....) without learning ancient Chinese language.

So I do think ChuShan is one new program: one Unique Chinese Classical Language and Traditional Culture Learning and Experiencing Trip for any foreign friends!

What about the future of the industry? How do you think study abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

The global trends is development- you can find this very easy in any street or building in big city in Beijing city. More and more foreigners come to our life, just like in the States, you could meet lots of Chinese and other countries' people. No more limitations! If you want to be involved and try to enjoy other place' life, you need to meet the local ordinary people and taste the real tradition and culture with wisdom, this is human being's taste. The beautiful view, the amazing building, wonderful tour sites.... they are just the surface of one natiion, meet the nice person, touch the pure heart, these are true demand of the life.