Chinese come to aid of American former lecturer
Source: Xinhua |
January 9, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
STUDENTS and lecturers at a Chinese university are rallying round to help an American woman who taught there with her medical bills in the United States.
Janice Engsberg, the first foreign professor to teach communication studies at Xiamen University in Fujian Province, e-mailed staff and students last month explaining that she was struggling with Parkinson's disease.
"Even after years of striving, my medical condition remains a challenge in what's a real fight for my life ... My dilemma is compounded since I can no longer afford critically needed therapeutic health care," the 63-year-old wrote.
In response, teachers at the university's School of Communication and Journalism launched the "We Love Jan" online campaign.
"Janice is an optimistic person, and she would not ask us for help if she could manage," said She Shaomin, a former student of Engsberg's, and now a professor at the university.
Engsberg came to China in 1986 after graduating from the State University of New York with a doctorate in sociology.
She taught at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong Pro-vince for two years before being recommended for a post at Xiamen University.
Engsberg left an impression as an "excellent and kind teacher" among students and teachers at Xiamen, and considered it her "second hometown," said former colleagues.
"She invited students to parties on Christmas Day every year, used her savings to help poor students and donated books," wrote microblogger "Nanmencaibao" on Sina Weibo.
Engsberg also established the "Ying Jian Scholarship" - using her Chinese name, said Zhu Jianqiang, deputy director of the journalism school.
In 2006, Engsberg returned to the US.
Racked up debt
In her e-mail, Engsberg wrote that her condition has deteriorated since she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2001 and she has racked up debt paying medical bills.
Since the "We Love Jan," campaign was launched at the end of last month, many Internet users have posted glowing comments about the former teacher.
Between December 29 and last Wednesday the group raised 80,000 yuan (US$12,700.)
Meanwhile, Xiamen University has decided to pay Engsberg a monthly 5,000 yuan subsidy.
"Your warm and caring messages and the "We Love Jan" blog are a source of love and healing energy for me," Engsberg wrote in a recent e-mail.
Janice Engsberg, the first foreign professor to teach communication studies at Xiamen University in Fujian Province, e-mailed staff and students last month explaining that she was struggling with Parkinson's disease.
"Even after years of striving, my medical condition remains a challenge in what's a real fight for my life ... My dilemma is compounded since I can no longer afford critically needed therapeutic health care," the 63-year-old wrote.
In response, teachers at the university's School of Communication and Journalism launched the "We Love Jan" online campaign.
"Janice is an optimistic person, and she would not ask us for help if she could manage," said She Shaomin, a former student of Engsberg's, and now a professor at the university.
Engsberg came to China in 1986 after graduating from the State University of New York with a doctorate in sociology.
She taught at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong Pro-vince for two years before being recommended for a post at Xiamen University.
Engsberg left an impression as an "excellent and kind teacher" among students and teachers at Xiamen, and considered it her "second hometown," said former colleagues.
"She invited students to parties on Christmas Day every year, used her savings to help poor students and donated books," wrote microblogger "Nanmencaibao" on Sina Weibo.
Engsberg also established the "Ying Jian Scholarship" - using her Chinese name, said Zhu Jianqiang, deputy director of the journalism school.
In 2006, Engsberg returned to the US.
Racked up debt
In her e-mail, Engsberg wrote that her condition has deteriorated since she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2001 and she has racked up debt paying medical bills.
Since the "We Love Jan," campaign was launched at the end of last month, many Internet users have posted glowing comments about the former teacher.
Between December 29 and last Wednesday the group raised 80,000 yuan (US$12,700.)
Meanwhile, Xiamen University has decided to pay Engsberg a monthly 5,000 yuan subsidy.
"Your warm and caring messages and the "We Love Jan" blog are a source of love and healing energy for me," Engsberg wrote in a recent e-mail.
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