Professor from China considers job at OCCC his greatest accomplishment
By Bishal Malla, Staff Writer
A man who learned to speak English after he earned his bachelor’s degree has been teaching computer science at OCCC for seven years.
Computer Science professor Haifeng Ji, 32, joined the college staff in 2002.
Ji, from Nanjing, regards this as a great accomplishment in life.
The People’s Republic of China, commonly known as China, is the largest country in the world in terms of population with more than 1.3 billion people, about a quarter of the world’s total, according to the CIA World Factbook.
Ji said when he was young he never thought he would be teaching in the U.S. As a child, his ambition was to become a scientist.
He said he used to have a small laboratory in the corner of his room where he performed experiments.
“I was not interested in English when I was young,” he said, even though he was required to study it in school.
In Chinese schools and colleges, professors teach English reading and grammar, but they don’t give much attention to speaking and listening, Ji said.
“Besides English, all other classes are taught in Chinese,” he said.
Ji said he thinks that’s the reason Chinese students don’t speak English in China.
Ji changed his mind about coming to the U.S. when one of his friends from elementary school, who came here before he did, told Ji about opportunities available in the U.S.
In 1999, Ji came to Pennsylvania State University, along with four friends, he said.
After studying English as a second language for two semesters, Ji transferred to the University of Nebraska, where he got his master’s degree in computer science.
Ji still remembers the days when it was hard for him to communicate with American professors and friends.
“I had much difficulty understanding people and they used to have the same problem understanding me,” Ji said.
Things have been different for Ji since he came to OCCC.
He said he felt fortunate to receive a job offer after completing his master’s degree in 2002.
In seven years, Ji established himself as a full-time professor at OCCC.
Ji said he finds the faculty members and staff at the college to be friendly and helpful.
He said some things about American culture surprised him when he first arrived.
“In China if you see someone you don’t know, you don’t say ‘hi’ to them,” he said. “But here, people say ‘hi’ to each other even if they don’t know the person.”
Ji said he misses his home and family a lot.
He goes to China to visit his family once a year and that makes him feel better, he said.
Ji said he thinks the U.S. education system is more accessible, compared to China.
He said it’s difficult for students to go to college in China if they are from a poor family. Most students study full-time, and their parents pay the tuition for them.
At OCCC, students can study part-time and work at the same time to support themselves, which allows students to pay their own tuition, he said.
Ji has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Nanjing University in China.
He said he enjoys teaching.
“I think teaching is exciting because students can learn something useful for their future,” he said. “I like to help students understand and learn new things.”
He thinks the main reason for his success in life is doing things one step at a time.
“I think I can do more things in life that way,” he said.
Ji also serves as a sponsor of the college’s International Student Association.
He said he enjoys interacting with students from different parts of the world and learning their traditions and cultures.
Ji said he finds Oklahoma to be a great place to live.
“Oklahomans are very friendly,” he said.
He said he also finds living expenses in Oklahoma to be lower compared to other states in the U.S.
He said he finds a great environment at OCCC, to teach as well as to learn.
As a sponsor of ISA, Ji welcomes all international and American students to join the club to explore cultures and traditions from all around the world.
For more information about ISA, contact Ji at 405-682-1611, ext. 7381, or e-mail hji@occc.edu.
Staff Writer Bishal Malla can be reached at Staff Writer1@occc.edu.
