Pining for China, US professor returns to Taiyuan

TAIYUAN — Having shared for months how he missed Chinese friends and delicacies, David Edgren, better known by the nickname "Grandpa David" on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, finally returned to his second hometown of Taiyuan.

Just six years after China began its reform and opening-up policy in 1978, Edgren came to China from the United States with his family to become an English teacher at Shanxi University in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. "Apart from us, there were only about a dozen Americans in Taiyuan in 1984," said the 80-year-old. "Of all the places we could have lived, Taiyuan impressed us the most with its hospitality and slow pace of life."

Edgren left China after a year only to find that he had developed a deep affection for the city, so the family returned in 1988 and stayed four more years.

Over the past few decades, Taiyuan has become a second home for them. Edgren flies back and forth giving lectures, and his children have also taught in the city.

"I personally have taught about 350 students here," he said with pride.

But Edgren's story was little-known until his son Andy created a Douyin account to share family stories. Currently, the account has nearly 2 million followers.

Because of the pandemic, the Edgrens were only able to interact with their fans online, and every time they brought up the topic of returning to China, their chatbox would be flooded with blessings and greetings.

"I can't wait to come back. I'm old. I don't know how many chances are left," said Edgren, who came a month earlier than his son, who also has plans in Taiyuan.

Many people have been touched by the American professor's deep attachment to China. At a lecture he delivered at Shanxi University recently, former students from other provinces traveled hundreds of kilometers to greet him.

"I'm humbled, learning that so many people like me and support me," he said.

Edgren was again stunned at the speed with which Taiyuan has been transformed.

"In 1984, we had to take an overnight train from Taiyuan to Beijing, but now it takes less than three hours," he said, adding that he had to travel to Beijing to buy butter, cheese and steak back then, but now, such things can be bought with just the flick of a finger. "Thankfully, I've spent the past few days with friends, or else I would be lost in this familiar but fast-growing city," he said.

The professor said that thanks to reform and opening-up, the country and its people, especially the younger generation, are totally different these days.

"Students have a broader vision and are more confident and expressive today," he said after giving two lectures.

Although nearing his 81st birthday, Edgren still wants to keep coming to China.

"No matter where we come from, humans are fundamentally the same. I hope I can help the people of China and the US understand each other more and deepen their friendship," he said.

Xinhua