What this is all about
My name is Andrew Strauss. I am a 23 year old from Santa Monica, California. I graduated from Crossroads high school in 2000 and went to UCSD (University of California, San Diego) to get a degree in Computer Science.
While studying at UCSD, I decided to study abroad. In June 2004, I moved to Siena, Italy for 6 months to learn Italian. I became fluent in Italian and had the time of my life. I had never thought that I would be able to learn another language, but I did and was blown away by it. Being able to listen to Italian music, watch Italian movies, order off menus in Italian, and understand perfectly when other Italians speak is AMAZING.
In June 2005, I graduated from UCSD (Summa cum laude, phi beta kappa, tau beta pi, gold key… 
). I decided to go to graduate school and get a JD/MBA (business and law degrees), but due to the great experience I had in Italy, I wanted to take a year off and learn another language first. I decided on Chinese (Mandarin) because:
- It is the most spoken language in the world
- China is becoming (if it isn’t already) the most powerful economic force in the world
- It is the farthest language from English and now would be the best time to try and learn it since I don’t have a job or a family and can just move to China
- I find the culture to be interesting and exciting
- I really like Chinese food
Thus I will be leaving for China October 19th, 2005 and staying until graduate school starts in late 2006. I will be studying mandarin in a city called Shijiazhuang (I don’t even know how to correctly pronounce that name) that is about 200 miles south of Beijing. The program I will be in is the Konall school. My only goal is to get decent at Chinese by the time I return to the US. Until then…..
Chinese Chinese Chinese!!!!!
August 27th, 2005 at 4:56 pm
dude- you are hot and that is so freakin cool about italy and china… i am jealous… i am elijah’s roomate… cool site.
August 28th, 2005 at 11:34 am
Thanks Laura :),
Andy
September 5th, 2005 at 8:52 pm
A noble objective. I am definitely jealous. I will be living vicariously through your reports.
October 11th, 2005 at 1:32 am
Chinese Mandarin..It’s my mothe tongue. You can speak with me when you come back, provided I am anywhere to be found
November 25th, 2005 at 2:03 pm
Andrew:
I’m finally free for enoough time to read your wonderful website, all the things you’ve been experiencing, and the comments from friends, family, etc. I’m also full of turkey and good food after a lovely thanksgiving dinner with nine gentlemen friends (all gay but pleasant and good company) and with a day where I have had only minimal tasks to complete. So you have been on my mind. I miss you a lot. But, at the same time, am very happy at reading about your adventure in China. Dad tells me you have a cold at the moment and anything like that does worry me, so I hope you will feel really good very soon. I love you dearly. Grammy
November 29th, 2005 at 6:04 pm
Grammy…..thanks for the comment…..I miss you too
December 16th, 2005 at 3:44 pm
Ni Hao!
We were just offered a job in SJZ two days ago! My husband attended UCSD for two years, but end up graduating from another university ;o), also with a degree in computer science! An MBA is a great way to go, and my husband has that also! We’ll be dragging FIVE kids with us! We all want to learn the language!
I really enjoyed reading your website and seeing photos of SJZ!! How is the pollution? We hear it is the second most polluted city in all of China. We have two daughters adopted from China (AnQing and Shantou) and know what China is like from our frequent trips, but I’m looking forward to having the experience of living there full-time! Good luck with your studies and you’ll get used to the stares!
Anne
December 18th, 2005 at 3:38 pm
Anne…..ni hao. Congratulations on the new job. The pollution here isn’t bad at all. I have lived in big cities all my life and Shijiazhuang is no worse than any other big city. When do you get here?
May 7th, 2006 at 3:49 am
halo…
good luck on chinese learning…
May 7th, 2006 at 7:29 am
Echo….thank you
May 23rd, 2006 at 8:06 pm
make teacher cry….. it really sounds frustrated. Here i want to say, to foreign friends, Chinese is actually most difficult language in the world,including its special pronunciation, spelling, culture…( maybe i’m lucky, hehe..). After all Chinese and English are much farthest. It’s also difficult for me to learn English in the beginning, I was often confused by the similar words and grammer as well, but after some time, you would find maybe the language is not as difficult as you thought. So Andrew, be patient, take more practice and try to find the knack, i think you will enjoy learning Chinese.
July 28th, 2006 at 6:43 pm
cool….welcome to the concrete jungle….Hek
July 28th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
Hek El Chicano…..ummm Thanks
October 17th, 2006 at 8:17 am
I found your blog while researching the Konall Culture Exchange. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions about them, but I couldn’t find your email on the site. Could you drop me a line so that I could respond? Thanks.
October 17th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
Nathan…..just sent you an email
January 13th, 2007 at 10:00 am
I would love some feedback on your experience with Konall! (Planning to go this summer!)
February 17th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Lisa…..check your email
February 20th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Hey! Can you email me about your experience with Konall? A friend and I are graduating in a few months and are thinking about studying there… Thanks so much!!
February 20th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Michelle…..just sent you an email about getting in touch
March 14th, 2007 at 5:15 am
I’m really interested in your Konall experience. Any good? Thanks
April 9th, 2007 at 6:31 am
Hi, Andy, it’s a surprise to find you website and it’s interesting to read your comments on our learning chinese together. hahaha
I am doing well in NY right now. How is everything going in Shijiazhuang? Say hi to Shenqi! I miss you guys!!
April 14th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Willa…..hahahah
Glad to hear that you are doing well. We miss you too. Things here are going quite nicely. Shenqi and I are getting ready to go to Italy during the summer for a few weeks. Have fun in NY!
May 14th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Hey there! Who knew you had a website?! Just saw pictures and got an update from Rach and I’m so proud of you and happy for you. I always knew you had it in you and I love that you’re flourishing in a new culture - what fun! You’ll be in our prayers - let us know if there’s ever anything you need from South Florida!
Love, Sami (and Rick, Kariss & Britton too!)
May 15th, 2007 at 4:07 am
Sami……thanks for the kind words. Send my best to your whole clan
May 26th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Hey Andy,
how is your chinese now? sorry i see you have answered the same question a few times already. but i d like to hear your experience about the school in Shijiazhuang. trying to decide whether to sign up.
thanks in advance
Anja
May 26th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Anja……just sent you an email
August 17th, 2007 at 4:40 am
Hi, you probably have a set reply already cos you’ve been asked this so many times, but what was your perception of Konall? I’m thinking of going for about 3 months, basically from beginner, do you feel it’ll be worthwhile?
Tim
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Hi,
Sorry, going to ask the same question as everyone else…I’m also thinking of signing up for an 8 week course at Konall from October. I’ve got basic mandarin skills, so want to know if it’ll really help me improve. Also what do you think of the city vs Beijing or Shanghai?
December 14th, 2007 at 4:44 am
Hey Andy,
Your page seems to be a meeting point for everyone confused about going to Shijiazhuang for the Konall Programm. I’d be extatic to get one of those mails you’ve been sending to people about it
Hope everything’s well with you, even though I’m quite confused about where you’re at right now! If for any reason you’re close to Austria-we’re looking for a roommate
Hope to talk to you soon
Doris
December 27th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
send your thought on the Konall program to me too if you have a chance. I’ve enjoyed your blog.
December 27th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Tim and Sonja……sorry it took me a long time to get here…..if you still have questions, please post another comment.
Doris….I just sent you an email
Larry A……..what would you like to know?
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:54 am
I wanted info as well. I am leaving in a month and the Konall prgram sounds too good to be true!. I am a fellow San Diegan! Go Chargers!
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:48 am
Angela…..just sent you an email
February 13th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Hey,
I’m interested in the Konall program. I have a minor in Mandarin but I haven’t used my skills in almost 3 years. I’m looking for a well rounded program, academically and culturally.
What did you think of your experience with Konall? Which program did you choose? How long was your stay? Would you recommend it? Home-stay or apartment? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Xiexieni!
Zaijian!
February 14th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Edwina…..just sent you an email
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:05 am
Hello,
Thanks for your blog. I was really excited reading it.
As I’m thinking to go to China for a year or so to learn language it was very interesting to know your experience.
If you don’t mind my asking
Why did you choose Konall school? Did you consider any others? On their web sites they talk about Pros, but are there any Cons?
Ryan
March 17th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Hi Andrew
My organisation would like to use one of your photos - could you please get in touch so that we can discuss?
Thanks a lot
March 17th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Anne,
What organization do you work for, what photo do you want to use, and what are you going to use it for?
Andy
March 25th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I hope you’ve saved that email you keep sending out! Was wondering about the Konall program and any insight would be much appreciated…..
March 27th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Richard…..anything in particular you wanted more info about?
March 26th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Andrew,
I really enjoyed reading through your site. I know a few others have already asked you this, but I would really be interested in hearing more about your experience with the Konall program. I’m a beginner planning on doing 3-4 months of intensive mandarin this summer, so specifically I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts on the quality of the program from a learning perspective. I really like the idea of being in a city with fewer foreigners, and the price is right, so it would really be helpful to hear from someone who’s been there. Any thoughts you could share would be great. (The other option I’m considering is doing Berlitz in Beijing or maybe a university program if I can still get into one).
Thanks,
Phil
March 26th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Phil….just sent u an email
May 29th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Thanks for the comments on our podcast… we are making changes as we go… a good portion of whats going on right now is us just finding our feet on the podcast ground … once again thanks for your time listening…
May 29th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Channing…..no worries…..I know that constructive criticism is always useful when u are starting out. On the whole, I really like your podcast