The lesson itself was a little difficult to teach because using a projector to show the slides stifled discussion. It would have been better to print hand-outs and break up the class into small groups.

To end the lesson, I asked the following questions:

• Was Susan (the British-born Chinese girl) British or Chinese?
• Where should a BBC live?

The general consensus was that she was mostly British, which is what I would agree with. One significant remnant of Chinese culture that I have inherited is an immense weight of obligation to my parents. All non-deadbeat parents sacrifice for their children, but Chinese parents go the extra mile, with children strapped to their backs and no shoes on their feet. This, plus other idiosyncrasies, means that BBCs produce their own culture.

I was slightly shocked to find one student strongly suggesting that BBCs should live in China. It wasn’t my fault that I was born outside the Motherland. I can’t even contemplate living outside Britain.

Now, I am really interested in knowing what the Mainlander’s attitude is towards Chinese born overseas.  If anyone else is interested then please send me a large cheque to sponsor my PHD.

. Before I get a mass of complaints, I realise that my lesson plan is missing some fundamentals:

1. Statement of aims
2. No target grammar being taught
3. No timings on the plan

Whilst browsing for some material for the lesson I found a youtube video about being British-born Chinese.

There is a lot that I sympathise with. The long evenings spent by myself whilst my parents worked; acting as a translator; the feeling of isolation; episodes of racism (though it hasn’t been a problem for me for years); the long hours studying. Even my parents like to play Mahjong!

Well, I’m not completely like Susan. My parents are from mainland China, I never had to work that much in the takeaway and I decided to run off to China after university, just to confuse myself even more. Actually, my experience in China has taught me that I am British at heart. However, the more important lesson for me was to rise about the paradigm of culture. It is too easy to say that all actions and attitudes are caused by culture. I’m trying to look beyond and see the person underneath. Realising this, culture does not seem to matter so much anymore.

Actually, it does matter because it gives me an easy lesson to teach.

Cambridge student: So James, which college are you from? James: Well, …

This has similarities with my explanation to the Chinese of why I can’t speak the language.

Local Chinese person: You don’t speak Chinese, where on Earth are you from?
James: Well, …)

I have gotten used to not fitting in anywhere.

Student clique-ness is taken to the next level in Cambridge. The students will admit that much. But that is not surprising when you consider that massive work-load, academic rigours and the tradition of the place.

I revisited Pembroke College, where I applied to read economics 5 years ago. It is still as beautiful as I remember. I considered what life would have been life if I had passed the interview.

In short, I would have really disliked studying here. I didn’t have the brain-power or will for it. I did immensely like living in Nottingham. I usually only studied for the scheduled 10-hours a week, so lots of time to do other things.

So I saw a few friends, enjoyed the view of Kings College, become grateful for my Nottingham University experience and realised that I never ever want to be a student again.

I got to experience normal Danish life rather than the superficial tourist pleasures. I concluded that British and Danish culture are very similar, except for a few nuances:

1. Toilet paper is hung the other way round.
2. There are wind turbines everywhere.

The whole country is in a euphoric mood after the men won the European Handball Championships. The handball team had an audience with the crown prince and the buses have Danish flags hanging off them.

I was invited to give a short 45-minute presentation with Anne about Chinese culture in her 9th grade class. A few students were interested in my moans about the queues in China. But I wonder if I place too much emphasis on cultural differences at the expense of finding out the common ground?

The next blog post will be about the cultural differences between Britons with light hair and Chinese with dark hair.

Cultural differences have always affected my life. I was raised by thoroughly Chinese parents but hold strong British values. Now I am living in China: working in a school with Koreans; socialising with a predominantly-American English department; encountering confused Chinese locals (my Chinese is still not good); and living with a Polish house-mate. Where does it end?

For a long time I suffered from a perpetual Anglo-Sino identity crisis. Nowadays I am settled with who I am. But I still get annoyed at Chinese people jumping ahead of my in the queue at McDonald’s. Some things never change.

Back in Britain, McDonald’s is a last-resort for quick nutrition but in China it is somewhat of a luxury because it is expensive compared to native Chinese food. McDonald’s is the restaurant for the aspirational middle classes.

McDonald’s makes me feel like I am back at home. Except for the menu I can’t understand and the hoards of Chinese. The staff now knows to hand me the picture menu when they see me. It’s a nice place to sit down after a long day. I am a fan of the Swedish-style furniture, wood-panelled walls and the colour-scheme that is made up of 4 shades of brown. The staff are very helpful and you are not expected to clear your own rubbish. I still do so out of habit and they awkwardly try and take it out of my hands before I get to the bin.

I come here to work, to have a chat with my friends over a coffee and to eat double-cheeseburgers. Yes, I do need my fix of processed beef and cheese.