In the blink of an eye, my academic visit to Singapore which has lasted almost 200 days is finally coming to an end.

        The routined and immersive life in SCCL has truly made me forget that I am actually abroad and am away from home. It was not until my colleagues, from both SCCL and home, asked me when I would go back, that reminded me that I am in Singapore, and will return to China on 1st August.

        16 years ago, I worked as a college teacher right after I graduated from university. My duty was to conduct oral language teaching training. During my 6-year stint, I was awarded teaching excellence for 5 consecutive years. However, I felt like a machine.

        That spurred me to give up my job and started my journey of learning. In 8 years, I finished a 420,000 words doctoral thesis, a 200,000 words post-doctoral report, and also 330,000 words of monographs. In spite of the improvement in my research, I felt that I was only a bookworm.

        That was why I applied for an academic visit abroad and came to SCCL, in a hope to learn more about combining teaching with research, and find out how research can serve teaching in a practical way.

        Eventually, after 200 days, I found my answer. I would like to express my gratitude to SCCL for giving me this invaluable opportunity to broaden my horizons, to increase my knowledge and to enhance my way of thinking. Firstly, I would like to thank the administrative staff in SCCL for their warm and thoughtful service, which allows me to work happily everyday. Secondly, I would like to thank the researchers — the weekly rigorous "brainstorming" session never fails to inspire me with new research ideas. Also, I would like to thank the master teachers, for bringing me to the schools, involving me in the class discussions, and helping me to gain a deeper understanding on Chinese teaching on the frontline. Finally, I would like to thank the interns for helping me get through the lonely time with their interesting discoveries of Singapore.

        There are so many memories that I can never forget: On January 11th, when I just got off the plane, Dr. Qi Fei went to the airport to pick me up and arranged my accommodation; on January 16th, I met master teacher Dr. Ng Tai Cheen in SCCL Deputy Director Mr. Chong Leong Chin's office, and we immediately felt like old friends meeting for the first time; on January 17th, 75-year-old Prof. Chew Cheng Hai personally drove to SCCL to meet me; on January 25th, I was impressed by the words "mission, responsibility, hard work" in an address by SCCL Director Dr. Foo Suan Fong at the Lunar New Year celebration; on February 14th, Valentine's day, Dr. Ng Tai Cheen brought me to a school to observe lessons in Singapore for the first time and had seafood dinner with me after the lesson observation; on March 31st, at the farewell party for Dr Chin Chee Kuen, founding executive director of SCCL, I was touched by the sincerity and gratitude displayed by his SCCL colleagues; on April 15th, I attended SCCL Research Advisor Dr Soh Kaycheng's book launch and found out that Singapore places a high value on educating the parents; on April 19th, we visited Sheng Siong's cold storage, and all of us were freezing; on May 5th, I joined SCCL in the "Keep Clean, Singapore!" movement to clean up Ghim Moh Estate; and on June 7th, I was in front of my computer, collating my materials, reading, reflecting, and revising my paper over and over again...

        It is said that good character is the most valuable asset of a person; good culture is the most valuable asset of a company; and good values in the youths are the most valuable assets of a country. During my 200 days here in Singapore, I was deeply touched by the modest and helpful nature of Singaporeans; I was moved by the harmony, efficiency, pragmatic and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by the team in SCCL; I was very impressed by the great effort Singapore has made to become one of the developed countries, even without natural resources.

        Thank you, Singapore. Thank you, SCCL. I will always remember every corner in the Centre. I will miss everyone and everything. In future, I will take Singaporeans as role models, face success and failure with calmness, and work in a team with a humble and grateful heart. I will try my best in bringing my research in Chinese teaching to a higher level.

        Last but not least, I wish SCCL the very best, and I hope that Chinese education will continue to flourish in Singapore!

(Translation by Xia Bing)