Eric's Introduction

Hi Everyone,

I write this on the eve of the 2014 program - looking forward to seeing you at the airport tomorrow night!  I'm honored to be involved in the Wuhan to Ohio Program for a second year in a row.

A little bit about me:

I grew up in a small city on Lake Erie called Huron, 2 hours north of Columbus. It's small, like 7000 people and was more like a big family.

Huron, Ohio

As I grew older I became more curious about the world and ended up earning my bachelor's degree at Arizona State University.  I loved enjoying the Western US with my little used Honda Accord I bought for $3500 back in 2000.  I returned to Ohio in 2003 to work and prepare for graduate school and ended up earning a scholarship to Ohio State.

I became involved in international business and teaching public speaking at Ohio State and eventually taught in the Wuhan University Summer Intensive English Program with Mike and Pete and many other friends in 2005.  I liked China so much I returned in 2006 after earning my Master's Degree and began teaching spoken English and America Culture in the Wuhan University College English Department full time.

And, I also began studying Chinese at WuDa：我的中文水平还可以！ I spent 4 years in Wuhan and the moved to Shanghai to begin helping American companies enter the Chinese market.  I've traveled to most places in China and more than 20 countries around the world.  In a word, China is my second home and I'm always excited to "host" all of you during your stay here in town.

One year ago I moved back to Columbus and have enjoyed helping Americans be more global, and helping Asian students at Ohio State University be more global as well!  During the school year I teach a Cross-Cultural Communication Class at the Fisher College of Business for undergraduate students, mostly from Asia, who recently arrived to Columbus.

I'm very active - I love playing all types of sports and recently did the Ohio State University Triathlon. I like to ride my bike around the city, explore new restaurants and shops, and be involved with different activities here in Central Ohio.

I'm sure you'll learn more about me during the program - looking forward to learning more about you on this blog!

Running on the Great Wall at Mutianyu