I have an English name, Pauline Wang, but I like my Chinese name more. Every Chinese name carries a special meaning and mine means "pretty treasure of the king." Actually, I am the pretty treasure of my parents.
I was born and raised in a small Chinese rural village named Cows Hoof in Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province. Both of my parents are farmers. We grow corn, winter wheat and chili pepper. I have two older sisters and a younger brother. Because I grew up in a family of four children with handed-down clothes from my two sisters, I learned to share and be frugal.
I really admire my parents for working so hard to raise all four of us. They tried their best to get their children educated, but decided to have my two sisters quit school after the 9-year compulsory education. My parents said they were not good enough to go further, but the main and true reason was that they could not afford for them to continue.
I am the most fortunate girl in my family. Like most children in the country, I dreamed of getting out of the small town I was raised in, and living a comfortable life as the city people do. I studied hard in school to make my parents’ money worthwhile.
After I finished my early-year schooling in my hometown, I was enrolled by a university in Xi’an. It was September 1997, and for the first time, I was leaving Cows Hoof to come to a big city! I attended Northwest Institute of Political Science and Law and I received my bachelor’s degree in English. English has always been my favorite school subject and I am glad that I can apply it to my work.
In March 2005, after six years of dating, I happily married Mr. Hao, or Hurry, whom I met in university. He is a man who likes to associate and make friends with people young and old. He now works in a private college as an administrator. We live in Xi’an in a private home which we are renting.
In the summer of 2000, while I was still a junior university student, I met a group of foreigners in a school in Xi’an. I learned they were Global Volunteers team members serving in China. Being inspired by their spirit, I started to help them as a Chinese volunteer in my free time. A year later, after I graduated from college, I was very pleased to be hired by Mr. An-Wei, President of Sino-American Society, as his assistant. He introduced me to a world of respected professors, American culture and most importantly, volunteerism. I was able to work closely with so many wonderful volunteers who have taught me to appreciate life and care for other people. They helped me realize what kind of life I want.
In December 2005, I joined the staff of Global Volunteers. I feel honored that I am playing a small role in the noble deeds Global Volunteers is doing. I do not want to save the whole world, I just want to be a “little screw” in the big machine for the construction of the world peace. I warmly welcome you to visit China as a volunteer to experience its rich culture and the friendliness of its people.
I like reading English books. I also enjoy doing things together with Hurry. For now, our schedules are very different and we are seldom off at the same time, so we don't have as much time together as I'd like. I am looking forward to some day traveling together with him.
My Philosophy of Life:
"Remember and appreciate what you are fortunate to have and be blessed with, while a lot of other people aren’t as fortunate. You will enjoy life much much more."
