Knox Alumni Connecting Campus to China

Some say you can find Knox alumni all over the world. Recent graduates Sable Helvie '08 and Abigail Kramer '08 are making it happen by connecting with Knox alumni far from Central Illinois.

At first glance, they have a typical college friendship.

They met while studying Kuk Sool Won (Korean martial arts) during their sophomore year at Knox. They spent terms together in Spain and traveled through Budapest, Hungary, during a spring break. They quickly learned that they traveled well together.

It was that bit of knowledge that sent them on a mission to find an international teaching experience. "After searching and narrowing our search, we selected the Suzhou International Foreign Language School in Suzhou, China. We have a one year contract with the school to teach English," Abbie says. The boarding school caters to preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school age children, some as young as two-years-old.

They spend much of their time teaching children English through songs and games. And, although they are half a world away from the Knox campus, they haven't lost touch with campus.

Abbie and Sable are creating an informational brochure for Knox students who are interested in teaching abroad, and they are establishing an alumni community in China by visiting various Knox graduates. Their efforts are part of their post-baccalaureate project with Stephen Bailey, associate dean of the college.

They are engaging Knox alumni with the campus and fostering a sense of Knox community. "We want them to feel involved and connected to Knox," Abbie says.

The pair sent out a letter to alumni living in China. "The ones that have responded have been very enthusiastic about the prospect of our visit. It surprised us how much being connected to Knox helped us. Many who live in Shanghai have offered their couches for whenever we are visiting. This takes couch surfing (www.couchsurfing.com) to a whole new level - call it couch Knoxing," Sable says.

Abbie and Sable are networking with alumni in different cities building a communication network. Through emails, social networking sites, and the girls' blogs, they are using technology to keep alumni connected to their alma mater - something that was not possible with other generations of alumni.

From their blog, knoxinchina.blogspot.com, they write: "Among the nearly 3 million cars in Beijing, there are only two with Knox stickers in the window. It is the second Knox sticker to appear on a car window in Beijing, and shows just how far Knox enthusiasm can be seen."

That other car belongs to Chip and Sarah Weed Chandler, both 1997 Knox graduates. Sable goes on to write that when the two first met the Chandlers, " they greeted us as if we were old friends although we had never met in person before. Just being fellow Knox alumni created an instant bond between us."

The Chandlers contacted Sable and Abbie before the girls had a chance to reach out and contact them. "They were excited by the idea of yet another group of Knox people visiting them in Beijing. They played tour guide for the group of Knox professors that came to China last year," Sable says.

Chip is currently working for the American Foreign Service, which has brought him, Sarah, and their family to Rwanda, Sydney, and now Beijing. He is the consul, second secretary, as well as the fraud prevention manager, of the Consular Section. He investigates and prevents visa fraud, dealing with the major issues such as false companies.

Sable and Abbie say that the Chandler's home in Beijing is adorned with Knox memorabilia. "It is the friendly atmosphere and light-hearted conversations" that made Abbie and I feel at home. According to the Chandlers, "Any other Knox alumni who are in the neighborhood are welcome to stop by!"

Sable and Abbie both agreed that Knox's study abroad programs prepared them for the experience of living and teaching abroad in China. "Living abroad, learning the language, dealing with the culture shock, and traveling gave me the necessary knowledge and experiences. I was more aware of how to deal with the culture shock," Abbie says.

"Having studied cultures gave me the ability to analyze the culture around me and truly understand it. Receiving the Stelleyes International Internship Scholarship while at Knox gave me the chance to find my calling and provided the experience necessary to pursue it," Sable adds.

When Sable completes her contract and returns to the U.S., she plans on pursuing a masters degree in anthropology with an emphasis in linguistics at Northern Arizona University. "I would never have considered graduate school without the guidance of people like Owen Muelder, Nancy Eberhardt, and John Haslem. I'm wiser for knowing them."

Abbie will pursue her doctorate degree in school psychology at the University of Iowa.

 

Sable and Abbie do a little sight seeing at E Mei JinDing Pu Xian Pusa in China.