Tricolor Chinese Culture Podcast

Chinese New Year (CNY) is so big that it needs at least 2 episodes. In this episode (Part 1) we get the "outsider's" perspective with Paul and Analisa. They share what it's like celebrating this important holiday with local friends and what they have learned about the holiday and Chinese culture through their experiences. We also get to hear April Carrillo share her favorite CNY memory and XIS senior, Hanna Jung, share a CNY origin story. Next week we'll get to hear about CNY from two local friends, so be on the watch!
Enjoy and Happy Lunar New Year!
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What do dragon boat races, a patriot-poet named Qu Yuan, zongzi (glutinous rice- with filling- steamed in bamboo leaves) and fragrant pouches have in common? They are all connected with a holiday that falls on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar.
In this episode we will talk with Louisa Xia and Athena Hao about their understanding of and experiences with Dragon Boat Festival.
We also get to hear Xi'an International School 2023 alumna, Paulina Yao tell the well known story of Qu Yuan. Enjoy!

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 Tomb sweeping festival (清明节qīngmíngjié) may be observed in the early spring (April 4 or 5) but learning about the meaning and traditions associated with it can give us insight into Chinese culture that is helpful no matter what season we're in. This episode features a conversation with He Laoshi (Teacher He) as well as a conversation with DeAnn, an American that has taught English in China for many years. Both of them share their experiences with Tomb sweeping festival and what stands out to them about this holiday. 
We also get to hear the tale of Jiezi tui (介子推), told by XIS senior Kyle Jang, and how this story is connected with Cold Food Festival (寒食节) and Tomb sweeping Festival.

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,With Mid-Autumn Festival right around the corner, it's a great time to get a taste for the season through stories. In this episode, Melinda Tan and Deborah Liu share their hometown and away from home memories and experiences with Mid-Autumn Festival .
At the end of the episode we also get to hear Kyle Ju tell the famous Mid-Autumn Festival legend of Houyi and Chang'e.

This episode features a conversation with my good friends, Steve and Linda. They share about their experiences when they first arrived in China back in the late 80's/early 90s, what they've loved about their lives in China over the almost 3 decades they've spent here, and the deep friendships they've made along the way.

At the end of the episode, XIS senior, Joseph Kim, teaches some life wisdom through the Chinese idiom, "盲人摸象/mángrénmōxiàng/3 blind men touching an elephant".

Since this is the final episode of Season 2, please take some time to give us some feedback. Thanks! https://form.jotform.com/stephaniewendler/tricolor-podcast-feedback

This episode features XLIS Deputy Head of School, Brian Lalor. Brian shares with us what he's learned about culture and life as he's lived and been a leader in Xi'an as well as in other cross-cultural contexts in Asia.

At the end of the episode, XIS senior, Abraham Kim, teaches us some Chinese history and a life lesson through the idiom, "纸上谈兵/zhǐshàngtánbīng/To discuss battle tactics on paper (armchair strategist)"

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In this episode, Blake and Rachel, long-time local staff here at Xi'an International School, share the major cultural differences that they've observed over the years, where cultural misunderstandings are more likely to happen between Chinese and foreign staff, and how to build bridges between the cultures.

At the end of the episode, XIS senior, Kevin Kang, teaches us the Chinese idiom, "画蛇添足/huàshétiānzú/Drawing legs on a snake".

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In this episode, one of our newer Chinese staff members at Xi'an International School shares about her cross-cultural experiences and what has surprised her about working with people from different cultures. She also shares about her family dynamics growing up and what's important to her with her own family now.

At the end of the episode, XIS grade 11 student, Hanna Jung, teaches us the Chinese idiom, "一箭双雕"/"Hit two hawks with one arrow".

Would you like a bonus story? Check out the title of this episode, "孟母三迁"/mèngmǔsānqiān/The 3 migrations of Mencius' mother. Look online and see what you can find out about this famous mother.

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In this episode I get to have a conversation with my friend and neighbor, Xiao Xiao. She shares what she's learned to appreciate about China through her own cross-cultural experiences as well as her thoughts on education and what is valuable to her.

At the end of the episode, XIS junior, Abby Carrillo, teaches us the Chinese idiom, "埋头苦干"/to bury your head in hard work.

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In this episode we get to hear Mike and Karla share about what they love about living in China and what they learned about themselves and Chinese culture during their transition to life in China.

At the end of the episode, XIS Grade 11 student, Kevin Lee, teaches us the Chinese idiom, "举手之劳"/"As easy as lifting one's finger".

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In this episode I am joined by Stephan and Robin. They share their experiences of adjusting to life in China as a family and what they learned about themselves and the culture during and post language school.

At the end of the episode, XIS grade 10 student, Paul Yao, teaches us the Chinese idiom, "滥竽充数"/ playing the "flute" to make up the numbers".

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In this episode we get to hear about Chinese language learning from the Chinese teacher's perspective. Xia laoshi and Li laoshi share what they've learned about the language learning process from their experiences both as teachers and students.

At the end of the episode, XIS Grade 10 student, Rui Yang, teaches us the idiom, "叶公好龙"/"Ye gong's fondness of dragons"

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In this episode I'm joined by Audra and Ben, two more recent additions to the Xi'an International School teaching staff. They share about their Chinese language learning journey: What they thought it would be like, what it's actually like and what they have learned along the way.
At the end of the episode, XIS senior, Paulina Yao, shares about the idiom, "邯郸学步“/"To copy the way they walk in Handan"

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It's a brand new season of TriColor and our first few conversations of the new season will be focused on Chinese language learning. This episode features Paul Wendler and Daniel Hovey discussing their language learning journey, when first started learning Chinese and now.
After the conversation, one of our Xi'an International School Students tells the story behind and how to use the 成语/cheng yu (Chinese idiom) "闻鸡起舞”.

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This episode features a conversation with Saloam. Saloam has lived and worked in China for more that 10 years and shares some of her cultural adaptation journey and what she's learned about herself and China as she's moved back and forth between cultures.

We would really appreciate your feedback! Please take a few minutes to fill out the form in the link below and help us as we prepare future episodes. Thanks!

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To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Some people will tell you there is a great deal of poetry and fine sentiment in a chest of tea." I would also say there is a great deal of culture in a cup of tea. In this conversation, my friend Tracy and I explore tea culture in China.

In this episode, Fausto, He Laoshi, shares his thoughts on crossing cultural borders and what he thinks it takes to have healthy relationships and collaborate with those from other cultures.

In this episode I talk with Jessica, a newer arrival to China. Jessica shares her reflections on the quote, "When we cross cultural borders, the burden of change is on us" as well as what she has learned through this big transition.

In this episode I talk with two Xi'an International School graduates about their lives growing up in China. We discuss what's been challenging for them, what they've enjoyed, what they've learned and what they hope to take with them as they return to their passport country.

In this episode I will be talking with Stephanie and Lucy about being a good guest as we travel and enjoy all that China has to offer. Both of them have worked in the travel industry for many years and have a lot of experience interacting and working with foreigners visiting and living in China. 

In this episode I talk with Joy Zhu about some of the cultural differences between a Chinese school setting versus an international school setting and how that influences communication and how we get things done. 

This episode's guests, Jeff and Carol, have lived in China for close to 40 years and have had a lot of experience building relationships, learning what promotes deep relationships and what might get in the way.

In this episode we will discuss conflict. Louisa shares experiences she has had and what she's learned about conflict while working and leading in a cross-cultural environment.

In this episode we will discuss the topic of friendship with Sarah. Sarah and her husband, Nic, along with their three daughters, live in southwest China. They have called this part of China home for the past 12 years. Their work includes providing social care for marginalized populations. Sarah has learned a lot about making friends during her time in China and shares her experiences with us.
At the end of our conversation, as a bonus, Li laoshi shares a Chinese saying about friendship.

In this episode I will be talking about friendship with my friend Jackie. Jackie grew up in China and is currently living in China, but she is also married to an American and has spent time living in the U.S. 

This conversation is with Niu Laoshi (Teacher Niu). Niu laoshi is the lead teacher of the Chinese language department at a K-12 international school in China. She will be sharing her own experiences of being hosted by westerners as well as what she has learned about interacting with co-workers from other cultures.

In this episode I have a conversation about hospitality with Andi. Andi is an American who has lived in China for several years and has had a lot of experience hosting and being hosted.

In this episode, Teacher Li, Li laoshi, will be joining me to talk about hospitality and what it means to be an acceptable guest and host in a Chinese setting. 
We will also hear a bit from an American university teacher in China and some of the lessons she's learned about practicing hospitality in a Chinese setting.