Alumni Spotlight: James Sundquist
This Dec. 25, students in a middle school in Changzhou, China, received a very unusual visitor: Santa Claus. Though he’s known in China, Kris Kringle is rarely seen in the Jiangsu province city, and Christmas isn’t even a school holiday. But this year was an exception, because this middle school’s English language instruction is provided by Pardee School of Global Studies alumnus James Sundquist.
“I have been teaching in China since I graduated in May 2013, and my school has been so accommodating of me. I could have gotten the holiday off if I wanted, but I thought it would be more fun to celebrate with the kids,” Sundquist said. “I asked for a few Christmas decorations, and my school surprised me by getting me a Santa suit. I wore it all day to teach and it was like being a rock star. The kids loved it.”
Sundquist’s journey to Changzhou began at Pardee, where he majored in International Relations and discovered a love of Chinese language and culture.
“I took three semesters of Chinese, and my only regret was that I didn’t start sooner,” Sundquist said. “I’ve long been interested in China’s political economy, and I worked with Professor Min Ye on a senior project on China’s effect on global development norms.”
Additionally, Sundquist said that Prof. Ye suggested he look into The Ameson Cultural Exchange Foundation’s Year in China Program to give him a real-life experience in China and continue honing his language skills. Now he is teaching 15 seventh and eighth grade classes a week – with almost 800 students.
“There’s a real range of English proficiency among my students, so I’m learning Chinese just as they’re learning English,” Sundquist said. “I’ve gotten to the point where I can handle conversations, and just a few weeks ago I found myself translating for a Finnish couple at the Shanghai train station.”
Currently, Sundquist is applying to American programs for a PhD in international relations, and he will remain in China until the end of the academic year – perhaps longer.
“There’s been some adjustments – getting used to living without clothes dryers, people smoking in elevators,” Sundquist said. “But the people here are so friendly, and I’m understanding China in a new dimension. I’d be happy to stay here too.”
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