Caroline Carmichael Lives Out Chinese Culture...Literally
NEIRAD enilno edition
Junior Caroline Carmichael is not only unique in that she aspires to be a member of the Peace Corps and loves to hike in mountain ranges all over the country, but now she has something else to add to the list of interesting things. This summer Carmichael and her family are officially moving to Pudong, a small section of Shanghai, China. The Carmichaels have lived in Darien their whole lives and anticipate the enormous change they will undertake as they move to Asia. Even though the family isn’t sure the exact time they are moving to their new hometown in July. “I’ve never been to Asia before!” However Caroline was quick to explain, “I think I will adapt well to the culture.”
Caroline plans on attending Dulwich College (don’t be fooled by the name) –this is a British international high school. It is located just three minutes from her living complex in Pudong. Caroline plans to repeat her junior year next year again where she will take three advanced classes as well as three standard classes for two years before heading off to college. Her advanced level classes consist of art, English and psychology. While her standard level classes include math, physics and Mandarin which Carmichael justifies that, “I have to be conversational by the time I graduate.” She also plans on taking up sports she has never tried before such as cricket and ping-pong. “Hey, I might try some new sports. Maybe cricket, I don’t know. That’s British right?”
Carmichael not only wants to immerse herself in Chinese traditions but she also wants to try out some English customs because after all, she is going to a British international high school. After graduating, Carmichael plans on heading back to the United States for university. But she won’t touchdown long. Caroline hopes to study a year abroad in Europe.
The 7,400-mile move was initiated by Caroline’s dad, Jim, whose job has been moved to Shanghai. Mr. Carmichael was hired to run the Shanghai Environmental Group, which is a joint venture between waste management and the Chinese government company. His job is to help improve the severe pollution in China by turning waste into usable, cleaner energy.
Carmichael explained her feelings as overall excited as well as nervous about the huge international move. “I’m mostly excited about my frequent usage of chopsticks.” Carmichael describes how she is extremely keen about all of the new food as well as eating utensils she was been operating as she plunges into the Chinese culture.
Despite all of the anticipation of moving to a whole new continent, Caroline can’t help but realize how much she will miss all of her friends. She claims that some have already planned on coming to visit her within the first few months of her move.
While most of Carmichael’s friends yearn over their loss, Junior Rupert Hansford seems to joke about Carmichael’s leaving, “I heard she’s only moving there to eat dog.” However, on a more serious note, Junior Katie McKay stated, “I’m really sad I won’t be able to see her all the time. But I’m excited for her to have her own new experiences. I’m definitely planning on visiting her next year.”
Even though her friends will be greatly missed she also will crave a key element in American culture: food. “I will miss Goldfish, Kashi granola, Bear Naked and a good chicken filet.” Carmichael claims that in China the chicken is often chopped up and can’t compare to the meaty chicken in the United States.
As Carmichael gets ready to pack up her clothes and personal belongings to make a 14- hour flight to her new hometown, she is prepared to take on a whole new city with purpose. Carmichael previously created a bucket list with a list of things she wants to do within her time in China.
“One of the things to cross off was to live in a Mongolian hut for a short period of time.” Carmichael is especially enthusiastic about this experience considering that her parents have taken into account living in a Mongolian hut for a few days at length. DHS wishes Caroline and her family good luck as they make a life-changing move to Shanghai. We will miss you Caroline!
