Stirred, Not Shaken: ‘I Miss the Friendly Chaos’

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As the COVID-19 Saga continues to draw out, families and teachers have committed to staying safe and infection free, much to the detriment of their social and professional lives. Fortunately, Beijing expats are a tough bunch. In this series, we asked folks to share their stories of being stirred, but ultimately not shaken, by current events.

We all gripe about wanting to have extra time on our hands, and the current COVID-19 crisis has done just that – dumped oodles of spare time on many laps. For some, this is a simple case of ‘too much of a good thing’, with many longing to go back to the regimented chaos of normal Beijing life. While for others, this bit of spare time is exactly what the doctor ordered (quite literally).

Joseph Stewart, an educator at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB), and his family have decided to take this time at home in stride, salvaging as much family time as they can possibly get, before this seemingly never-ending period draws to a close. Despite it having started as a precaution to remain safe, this period of self-quarantine and subsequent stint of working from home have served to bring Stewart and his family all the more closer.

Are you a Beijing Oldie or Newbie?

I have lived and worked in Beijing since 2014. I am originally from Scotland, but more and more starting to feel like Beijing is home. I still have a lot of work to do on the language, but I love the creative, manic and stimulating energy of Beijing.

What do you do in Beijing?

I work at Dulwich College Beijing as Head of Key Stage 3. I am responsible for students in Years 7, 8 and 9 and also teach art and design to students aged 11 to 18. I really enjoy my work – like Beijing, it is fast paced, always changing and there is never a dull moment. We are lucky in that our school has an exciting blend of teachers and students both from China and from the rest of the world. The sharing and cross fertilization of cultural values and traditions creates an environment that sparks new ways of thinking and future-minded students. Our students never fail to impress us with their independence, responsibility and team mindset.

When you first heard about the outbreak, did you take it seriously or did you take it with a grain of salt?

To be honest, I wasn’t too worried when I first heard about the outbreak. I think this is because luckily, I have never been seriously ill, and some members of my family work in medical careers and can provide reassurance and advice when necessary. My family and I were staying in Hunan province at the time celebrating Chinese New Year with my wife’s family. It wasn’t until we traveled back to Beijing around Jan 27 that we realized what a big deal this was and how the running of the city would change so dramatically. We knew we were going to stay in Beijing, it would have been too difficult for my parents to stay with them indefinitely, and we would have struggled financially to rent accommodation.

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Would you say that you have cabin fever? If so, how has it manifested itself?

I don’t think I have succumbed to cabin fever, mainly because I have been getting out of the house whenever possible. It would not have been feasible for my family, which includes two young children, to stay indoors for this period in its entirety. We have followed the World Health Organization’s advice, which I believe has been quite balanced. They encourage you to still exercise outside as long as you follow hygiene procedures and fully wash your hands after. Luckily there is a beautiful park near where I live, it even has a running track. On the many days where the air is clean, we have been going out for winter walks. My dog has certainly enjoyed himself recently. Having said all this, one of the things we have been aware of is how much more screen time our children have. We have tried to keep routines and structure, but haven’t always succeeded.

How has this outbreak changed your work-life daily routine?

This has been the biggest challenge. As the father of two young children, you owe it to your family to switch off after a full day’s work. This definitely becomes more challenging when you are working and resting in the same environment. We try to get outside in the middle of the day sometimes to break up the screen time and give our eyes a rest. In my teaching role I have enjoyed using online message functions to give feedback and resources to my art students. I have found that most prefer typed and written communication to video calls. Doing live draw and long lessons for my younger students has also been good as it gives a sense of structure to the day and ensures you meet your deadlines. It also motivates me to wear clean clothes and wash!

Ironically, we are better as a family at eating together during mealtimes and interacting and spending longer at the dinner table. We have also gotten back into cooking and baking, which is something our children enjoy doing too. Last week, they made a raspberry flavored birthday cake for my wife.

What do you most miss about Beijing BC (Before Coronavirus)?

I miss the friendly chaos and going out and about. Normally, Beijing people are very friendly and enjoy socializing and interacting with friends and family. There is a real sense of community despite being one of the biggest populations in the world. I also miss going to see new art exhibitions and wandering around the 798 district.

What have you discovered about yourself during this time?

It may seem an obvious thing to point out, but this situation has made me more aware of the impact healthy eating and exercise has on your energy and motivation levels. There was a short period during this time where we definitely were not being healthy, and it made the whole situation seem bleaker. It is easier said than done, but we are making a big effort to have a healthy March. One of the things I have also enjoyed is doing more of my own artwork. This has been a great way to switch off in the evenings and provides a much-needed sense of achievement. The children like to join in too sometimes.

Once all this is over, what do you plan on doing? What do you most look forward to going back to?

I am most looking forward to working face-to-face with my colleagues and students. This situation is a strong reminder of how many of our social needs are met in the workplace. Teaching can be an intense job at times, and I think many teachers have realized how we rely on the support and good humor of our colleagues. I miss my students too and am almost looking forward to the sight of a class of energetic 12-year-olds frantically scrubbing paint trays in my classroom sinks so they can get to their next lesson on time.

Has the outbreak changed your resolve to remain in Beijing or are you here to stay until the foreseeable future?

The situation definitely hasn’t made me want to leave Beijing. I think the strong and rapid response and organization to the situation has been impressive, and I think it is important to remember that the outbreak could have happened anywhere. If anything, the situation makes me appreciate how much the city and the surrounding area has to offer.

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Photos: Courtesy of Joseph Stewart

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