By Emma Trowbridge · MS Information Technology · China Teaching Assistant

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Hello, I’m Emma, a master’s student in Information Technology at Missouri State. I’m currently spending my second semester of my master’s as a Teaching Assistant for the College of Business at our partner university in Dalian, China. I teach and support business courses while finishing my own coursework online. In this Q&A, I’m sharing what I was nervous about, what surprised me, and what I’d tell anyone thinking about doing the same.

QUESTION 1
You started your journey as a Teaching Assistant at the MSU China Campus this past Spring, but what were you most nervous or excited about before leaving for Dalian?

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I had never been to Asia before, so I was both excited and really nervous. Accepting the position was a leap of faith, but it paid off. The faculty and other TAs supported me from day one, which made all the difference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTION 2
How have you grown since then, and what were some of the challenges you had to face?

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The biggest challenge for me was the language barrier. Even simple things like ordering food or asking for directions felt intimidating at first. Learning basic Chinese, like how to order a meal and say hello, made a huge difference in my day-to-day interactions. Over time, I became more confident and more comfortable stepping outside my comfort zone. My advice to anyone coming here is to arrive with a kind face and an open mind. People respond to that, even when you don’t share a language.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTION 3
What are some of your best memories in China?

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Some of my best memories in China come from simply taking in the scenery. I’ve only been to Northeast China so far, and it has been breathtaking, so I can only imagine how beautiful the rest of the country must be. Just as important, the friends I made here are what made my experience so enjoyable. Sharing meals, exploring, and getting to know people made Dalian feel like home. Below, you can see a few photos that capture some of those memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTION 4
What is your opinion on the food?

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China knows what it’s doing when it comes to their food. It’s one of my favorite things about living here. The classic dishes change depending on which province or city you’re in, but everywhere I’ve been they’ve been flavorful and so good. It’s also incredibly cheap, so much so that you’ll find yourself eating out almost every night because it costs less than cooking at home. You can see a few of my favorites in the section below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTION 5
You are now on your second semester as a China TA, what has surprised you the most about your experience so far in that position and what do you want future China TA’s to know before going into it?

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Starting my second semester was so much easier than the first. I knew what to expect, and because I’d been able to leave my things here over the summer, it felt like I never left. Having friends waiting for me when I returned made it feel even more like coming home.

What surprised me most about this experience is how friendly everyone is here. People are warm, patient, and eager to help, even when you don’t share a language. I was also surprised by how cashless China is. WeChat and Alipay are essential, and once you’re set up, paying for things is very simple.

For future China TAs, my biggest piece of advice is to invest in friendships early. The people you meet will become your support system, and they will make your return after a break feel like coming home. Since you will be here for two semesters, you can leave your things in Dalian over the summer, which makes coming back so much smoother and lets you start your second semester feeling settled instead of starting over. Lastly, arrive with an open mind. Everyone here is friendlier than you would expect! Being open to new people, new foods, and new ways of doing things will make the whole experience easier and far more rewarding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTION 6
How much exploring have you done outside of the classroom? Have you met any friends or mentors that have made your experience better?

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I’ve explored quite a bit of Northeast China outside of the classroom. One of my favorite trips was a road trip to Shenyang, Benxi, and Dandong with fellow faculty members (shown in the left photo below). Getting to see the region alongside people who know it well made the trip even better. I’ve also met so many students through English Corner, a club where students practice their English (featured in the right photo). It’s been one of the best ways to make friends and feel connected to campus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MY FAVORITES
My Favorite Foods

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Chinese cuisine is as varied as the country itself, with every region and province having its own signature flavors, from numbing Sichuan spice to fresh coastal seafood. Living in Dalian, I’ve been able to try dishes from all over China, and here are three of my favorites.

DISH 01
Shui Zhu Yu (Sichuan Boiled Fish)

What it is: Tender slices of fish poached in a fiery broth of chili oil, dried red chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns, which gives it a bold, spicy, mouth-tingling flavor.

Why I love it: I’m a big fish lover, and the combination of tender fish with numbing, spicy Sichuan peppercorns are unbeatable. It’s packed with flavor, and every bite has a little kick.

Where to get it: This dish is from a restaurant that’s known for this dish. It’s pretty far from campus but it’s worth the drive.

 

DISH 02
Chao Hai Chang Zi (Stir-Fried Sea Intestine)

What it is: Sea intestine is a marine spoon worm, a seafood delicacy popular along the northeastern coast. It’s stir-fried with green onion until crisp-tender, then served with rice to soak up the flavor.

Why I love it: I love seafood, and this dish has so much flavor. It’s savory and briny, and it tastes fresh from the coast.

Where to get it: You can get it at many spots in Dalian. This dish is specifically from a restaurant in Roosevelt Mall.

 

DISH 03
Chinese BBQ

What it is: Unlike American BBQ, where the meat is cooked for you, Chinese BBQ is a DIY meal. You grill your own meat and seafood right at the table, then dip each bite in spices before eating.

Why I love it: I love that you can mix and match your proteins. We had beef and shrimp (my favorites), but there are plenty of other options to choose from. I also love this restaurant for its exclusive banana soda, which you can only get in Dandong.

Where to get it: You can find Chinese BBQ almost anywhere in China, with street vendors serving it well past dark. This one is at a famous BBQ restaurant on the outskirts of Dandong, a city about a three-hour train ride north of Dalian.

MUST SEES
Places to Visit in Dalian

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Dalian is a seaside city shaped by Russian, Japanese, and other international influences, which you can still see in its squares and architecture. Here are my three must-sees for anyone visiting or thinking about becoming a China TA.

PLACE 01
Xinghai Plaza

What to do: Stroll the seaside square, feed the seagulls that fly by, and stop at the carnival. At night, catch the musical fountains.

Why go: It’s a Dalian landmark, built in 1997 to celebrate the return of Hong Kong. You get ocean views, open space, and a look at how locals spend their evenings.

Good to know: It’s free, open all day, and best visited from May to October. There’s little shade, so bring sun protection.

 

PLACE 02
Zhongshan Square

What to do: Walk the circle of grand early-1900s buildings around the square, whose styles range from art deco to French Renaissance. Then head to nearby Laodong Park, shown in the photo above.

Why go: It’s the hub of Dalian’s business district, with ten roads radiating out from the center. To me, it feels like a different side of the city from the beach. Laodong Park is the biggest park in downtown Dalian.

Good to know: It’s easy to combine the two in one afternoon. The park is especially popular in autumn, when its ginkgo trees draw many visitors

 

PLACE 03
Little Venice

What to do: Wander the canals and European style buildings. You should also take a gondola ride through the water.

Why go: It’s modeled after Venice, Italy, with arches, bell towers, and winding waterways, so it feels like a slice of Europe in the middle of Dalian.

Good to know: Entry is free, but gondola rides cost extra. The lights make it especially charming at night, so go after dark if you can. It’s in the Donggang area, which also has a musical fountain and a yacht marina nearby.

LAST QUESTION,
How would you summarize life in Dalian in three words?

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Welcoming · Flavorful · Adventurous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thank you to the faculty, fellow TAs, and friends in Dalian who supported me from the start. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to share this experience with. If you’re thinking about becoming a China TA, please reach out to me at et2434s@MissouriState.edu – I’m happy to answer any questions!

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