From Teacher to Flyer Distributor: A Heartfelt Journey of Resilience and Courage in Times of Change

After school, as I was leaving the campus, I spotted an uncle distributing flyers at the school gate. With a friendly demeanor, he introduced himself as an English teacher at a well-known training institute, promising free classes if I scanned his code. Intrigued, I decided to engage him in conversation.

To test his English skills, I asked him to introduce himself in English. To my delight, he spoke fluently and seamlessly transitioned into a full conversation. It was refreshing to communicate with someone so passionate about the language. I scanned his WeChat code and verified his affiliation with the reputable training institution, which made me curious about his story.

The uncle shared that he was born in a rural area of Northeast China. Growing up, he was inspired by television dramas that depicted translators as cool and influential figures. This aspiration motivated him to self-study English and eventually enroll in college. Although he didn't fulfill his dream of becoming a translator, he carved out a successful career as a bilingual tour guide for 15 years, leading foreign tourists through the vibrant streets of Wangfujing. Along the way, he developed keen insights into the personalities of his visitors, noting that those from California tended to be particularly chatty and warm.

However, the pandemic brought unforeseen challenges. With the drastic decline in foreign tourists, his business suffered significantly. In response to this crisis, he found a position at the training institute, which was transitioning from traditional education to a more experiential education and travel program. Distributing flyers outside the school was part of his new role; he mentioned he was there that day to share course information with parents attending a meeting.

My conversation with him was unlike any I had ever experienced. We communicated mostly in English, and I sensed a palpable excitement on his part to converse in the language. His words were imbued with sincerity and reflected not only an honesty towards me but also a deep acceptance of his life experiences over the past three decades.

Rather than focusing on the economic hardships caused by the pandemic, he expressed a sense of fulfillment with his current situation. He viewed individual development as intricately linked to broader societal circumstances—his passion for English translation became a profession due to the economic reforms in China, while the pandemic forced him to adapt by joining the training institute and taking on the role of distributing flyers.

This encounter with the uncle was enlightening; it revealed how the pandemic has affected not only the tourism industry but also the education sector. He understood these challenges but maintained an optimistic outlook, embracing change with grace.

I couldn’t help but wonder if he truly felt the profound impacts of the pandemic on his life or if he simply chose to focus on the positives, perhaps to avoid the pain of discussing such difficult realities. His ability to find joy in his work and communicate his journey was inspiring, leaving me with a sense of hope and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.