"Ni Hao" from Hilary Xu

December, 2008

The Exchange Visitor Program is pleased to announce Hilary Xu as December's Exchange Visitor of the Month. Each month, we select an exchange visitor who has made an effort to get involved in his/her community and explore American Culture.

Hilary Xu (Xu Jing) of Suzhou, China, is a J-1 Intern in Dixon, Illinois, just outside Chicago. Being proactive is the name of the Exchange Visitors Program game and Hilary has certainly jumped at the chance to participate in American cultural events as well as share her Chinese culture with friends and coworkers.

Good Morning!

I am Hilary from China, I have been here for 3 weeks. I'd like to thank all of you for taking care of me. I have learned a million things during these past few weeks and I'm very much enjoying living and interning here.

I appreciate our supervisor who gave me this chance to come here to Dixon as an intern. I believe all of you are very interested in Chinese Culture, so I have an idea. I will send you an email every Friday with pictures of China, my hometown, food, customs and holidays. I can even teach you some simple Chinese lessons as well. If you have time, you can ask me what you want to know and I can answer your questions. I hope you have some spare time to participate.

First, I'd like to attach two maps of China and my home town of Suzhou. My hometown is near Shanghai and has 2500 years of history. There are 8488 sq. km and has 6 million people. It is said that Suzhou is the Venice of the east and is best known for its gardens. The economy of Suzhou is developing very quickly as well. Suzhou was in the top four of the fastest growing economies in China last year. We have a lot of special food that you can't find in other cities in China. People say Suzhou is the heaven of China.

Lastly, I’d like to teach you a very easy Chinese word, "Ni Hao" which means “Hi, hello” The pronunciation is like “knee how”. I think we can use it in the future.

Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions. Hope you have a good weekend.

Best Regard,

Hilary.