Diversity of Education Methods

Abdul Oladipo, British-Nigerian/阿卜杜勒·奥拉迪波, 英裔尼日利亚

Education methods are not fixed but flexible and varied. This statement proves even more true in a city like Beijing, where you learn something new every day. As an educator, my primary responsibility is researching and constructing meaningful educational experiences that allow my students to solve real-world problems and learn more knowledge. To show they have learned the big ideas, powerful skills, and habits of mind and heart that meet agreed-on educational standards by society. This task has become a calling to me as I see myself as a forever student, where I can continue to improve myself, always seeking knowledge wherever I go or with whomever I encounter.

教学方式不是固定的，而是灵活多样的。在北京这样的城市里，这种说法更为真实，在这里你每天都会学到新东西。作为一名教育工作者，我的主要职责是研究和构建有意义的教学体验，让我的学生能够解决现实世界的问题,以帮助他们学会拥有更多的知识、专业的技能、良好的思维习惯和放飞心灵，满足社会的需求。这个目标对我来说是一种召唤。因此，我坚持不断提高自己，无论到哪里，无论我遇到谁，都虚心求教。

I first arrived in Beijing, China, in the early autumn of September 2011, making this year my 11th year in this city. Initially, I chose to further my professional development in China, as it seemed like an adventure and an exciting new step in my career. Before China, my professional expertise as an educator was focused solely in Europe. My knowledge back then about China was limited. I was only familiar with the United Kingdom’s keen interest in attracting Chinese businesses to invest locally. Simultaneously being aware that many Chinese students chose the United Kingdom as one of their premier international destinations to further their education abroad, resulting in thousands of Chinese international students enrolling at various universities in the United Kingdom each year.

2011年9月的初秋，我第一次来到中国北京，今年是我在这个城市生活的第11个年头。最初，我选择在中国进一步发展我的职业，这可以说是我职业生涯中的一次冒险和令人兴奋的新的开始。在来中国之前，我的专业知识仅限于欧洲学习到的。当时我对中国的了解很有限,只是对英国吸引中国企业在当地投资的情况有浓厚兴趣，同时意识到，许多中国学生选择英国作为他们的主要留学目的地之一，在海外深造，每年有数千名中国留学生在英国的各个大学就读。

As China’s interaction with the world intensifies and the launching of the “belt and road” initiative deepens exchanges in all aspects, the demand for international educators increases in China, as well as the need for mutual learning. Youth with educational expertise play an essential role in promoting close relationships between China and the world. They are more focused on globalization and it is truly an exciting time to be an international educator during the formation and development of China. I firmly believe that young people are not only the future ambassadors of our countries but also the ambassadors of international education exchanges.

With colleagues visiting the Temple University in Japan/跟同事一起参观日本天普大学

随着中国与世界的互动不断加强和“一带一路”倡议发出，各方面交流的深入，中国对国际教育工作者的需求不断增加，相互学习借鉴的需求也随之加大，拥有教育专业知识的青年在促进中国与世界之间的密切关系方面发挥着重要作用。他们更关注全球化，在中国的建设和发展过程中，成为一名国际教育工作者确实令人非常激动。我坚定的相信，青年不仅是我们所在国家未来的大使，也是国际教育交流中的大使。

In China, I’ve significantly grown and progressed from being a class teacher to now holding the post as the director of the university counselor office at Beijing World Youth Academy. One of the critical factors contributing to my overall success in my profession is learning and communicating with others. I will continue my learning and exchanging in China, learning about different cultures and work habits from people worldwide. I will use this knowledge to further exchange and cooperation with foreign countries, broadening my perspective on other cultures. I have learned that it is important to take time for myself, even when I am busy, giving myself private time to exercise, keeping my body and mind healthy and happy. I have learned that it is crucial to be flexible and open-minded, especially when traveling. This means being willing to try new things, meet new people, expand your horizons, and exercise courage. These are lessons I teach my students daily because I believe that my students can only learn if I set a good example for them. My students can then learn better and have different gains.

Class visit to Mercedes-Benz China Head Office (Beijing)/班级参观奔驰中国总部（北京）

在中国，我从一名班主任到现在担任北京世界青年学院大学辅导员办公室主任，我不断成长进步。在我的职业生涯中取得成功的关键因素之一是与他人相互学习和交流，我将继续在中国学习交流，从不同的文化中学习并与世界各地的人合作。我将运用这些知识进一步对外交流合作，拓宽对其他文化领域的了解。我明白，即使在我很忙的时候，也要给自己留点时间、给自己留点私人空间，锻炼身体，保持身心的健康和快乐。我明白，灵活和开放的心态至关重要，尤其是在出外旅行时，意味着你愿意尝试新事物，认识新朋友，开拓视野，锻炼自己胆识，这些都是我每天教给我的学生的经验，因为我相信只有我为他们树立好榜样，我的学生才能更好的学习并有不同的收获。

China is truly a place filled with many opportunities, and I’ve discovered that the people here are very open-minded. It is important to be mindful of your surroundings, be respectful, and be careful not to offend others, as we live in a world where each person is constantly evolving. It is important to know how to be flexible and adaptable. If I had been too rigid, I would not have made it through the first two weeks. In China, people interact with each other very respectfully and welcoming. They always want to help you even if they don’t know you, and they value family a lot.

中国确实是一个充满机遇的地方，我发现这里的人非常开放。需要注意的是，要考虑周围的环境，尊重他人并注意不要冒犯他人，因为我们生活在一个每个人都在不断发展的世界中。因此要知道如何灵活的对待和适应，如果我太刻板，那么我们和周围的人相处就比较难以融入。在中国，人们在交往时都是非常热情并相互尊重的。即使他们不认识你，当你需要的时候他们也总是愿意帮助你；他们也都非常重视家庭。

As an international resident in China, my students are like my family. I have observed and taught my students for several years, and through hard work, my students and I have learned a lot from each other. Their eagerness to learn about my dual nationality and willingness to share their own personal experiences have become highlights of my day. To be an educator in China, you have many roles, but most importantly, your first role is a mentor and friend.

作为在中国的国际居民，我的学生就像我的家人一样。多年来，我一直在观察和教导我的学生，通过努力，我和我的学生从彼此身上学到了很多。他们渴望了解我的双重国籍并愿意分享自己的个人经历，这已成为我教育的一个亮点。在中国，作为一名教育工作者，你有很多角色，但最重要的是，你的第一个角色是学生的导师和朋友。

8 years of fond memories with students/与学生们八年的美好回忆

One of the most memorable moments I’ve had as a teacher here was at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing. My students made me feel the love they had for their teachers. Their compassion for their fellow classmates and teachers made me feel very proud. I often wonder if the work I do makes a difference to my students; receiving personal testimonies from them about the impact I had on their lives during those challenging times made my work feel more meaningful. The most touching message I’ve ever received was: “Dear Mr. O, thank you for being with me during the hard times in my life. You made me believe in myself when I struggled with my inner doubts. Thank you for being more than a teacher to me but a friend.” Thank you to all my students in China for making my life in Beijing fulfilling.

作为一名在中国的国际教师，我在这里度过的最难忘的时刻之一是新冠肺炎疫情在北京爆发之初。那段时间，我的学生让我真正体会到他们对老师的爱。他们对同学和老师的关心让我感到非常自豪。我经常想知道我所做的工作是否对我的学生有影响，在那些充满挑战的时间里，从他们那里收到我对他们生活的影响的个人反馈，让我的工作感觉更有意义。我收到的最令我感动的“亲爱的老师，谢谢您在我生命中的艰难时刻与我在一起。当我与内心的怀疑作斗争时，你让我相信自己，谢谢您，对我来说，您不仅仅是一位老师,而是一位朋友。”感谢我在中国的所有学生，让我在北京的生活变得充实和更加有意义。

I have learned a lot of things in China. I have learned how to make friends, how to speak Chinese, and how to get around the city. As a natural introvert, this has made me more confident in myself, more open-minded, and willing to take more risks in implementing the lessons we teach. I have learned how to work in a different environment, how to deal with language barriers, and also how to be more patient with people. Being a teacher in China has truly opened my eyes to all sorts of possibilities. I am reminded that the world is indeed interconnected. As a youth, I will further expand with development space, making contributions to the exchanges and development of our two nations.

我在中国学到了很多东西。我已经学会了如何交朋友，如何说普通话，以及如何在这座城市里出行。这让一个天生内向的我，对自己更加自信、更加开放并愿意承担更多风险来实施我们教育的课程。我学会了如何在不同的环境中工作，如何应对语言障碍，以及如何对人更有耐心。在中国当老师真的让我看到了各种可能性，这提醒我，世界是相互联系的，作为青年人，我将进一步拓展发展空间，为两国交流和发展作出更多的贡献。

Most memorable graduation/最难忘的毕业典礼

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审校：张红霞

编辑：张一博

英文审校：Dahlia A. Ducreay

供稿：Abdul Oladipo

执行副总编辑：季昌仁

监制：杨东平   徐志强   蒋   涛

丝路国际智库交流中心理事长：杨邦杰  

丝路百科杂志社理事长：白庚胜

丝路国际智库专家委员会主任：顾伯平