STORY: Russian teacher embraces Mid-Autumn Festival in N China
SHOOTING TIME: Sept. 14, 2024
DATELINE: Sept. 15, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:16
LOCATION: SHIJIAZHUANG, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Oshchepkova Serafima's life in China
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): OSHCHEPKOVA SERAFIMA, Russian expat
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): OSHCHEPKOVA SERAFIMA, Russian expat
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): OSHCHEPKOVA SERAFIMA, Russian expat
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): OSHCHEPKOVA SERAFIMA, Russian expat

STORYLINE:

Oshchepkova Serafima, an English teacher from Russia, joined the local community in Renqiu, China's Hebei Province, to experience traditional Mid-Autumn Festival activities.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): OSHCHEPKOVA SERAFIMA, Russian expat
"I am delighted to participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival activities today. I have learned how to make mooncakes, practice calligraphy, and explore traditional Chinese medicine. These experiences have sparked my interest in Chinese traditional culture."

Thirty-three-year-old Serafima came to China in 2016 and settled down after getting married. 

Ultimately, she decided to stay in Renqiu, her husband's hometown.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): OSHCHEPKOVA SERAFIMA, Russian expat
"I like the feeling here. I feel comfortable at home, maybe because it's very safe. I think as for me, especially even if you go out in the night, it's dark but it's safe. And lots of people are really kind. And I was lucky here. I met many good people, met very, very many nice people who would be nice to me."

Serafima, who holds a master's degree in English, has worked as a translator and teacher in China. Currently, she and her husband run an English picture book store in Renqiu. 

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): OSHCHEPKOVA SERAFIMA, Russian expat
"I love being a teacher. I think this is (the) best job. Kids are amazing people. They are full of energy. They are always happy. And they are giving you this energy too. If you are having a lesson and you're feeling happy, you give them this energy and you are exchanging it. It's an extremely warm feeling."

Reflecting on the changes she's witnessed in China, Serafima said that she is amazed by the rapid development. 

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): OSHCHEPKOVA SERAFIMA, Russian expat
"I've noticed that there are many streets that have been repaired. And it became much wider and much more comfortable to drive. And also I like that there are many new places such as shopping malls.
In the future, I'm planning to extend this school to find more people, more friends, more students, and make them feel like me here in China, also safe and warm, to give them this family feeling. Not only to students and their parents, (but) also to our teachers to work together as a family."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Shijiazhuang, China.
(XHTV)