As the key player many recent issues, Orrin Zhang's poise and dedication have made him a pleasure to work with.  He shared his experiences with the Bulletin before returning to the United States this week.

　　Orrin joined the editorial team during the winter quarter, but took interest in the project much earlier at the ICLP Bulletin informational meeting held last September.  "Huang laoshi did a pretty good job of promoting it," he said of the editor-in-chief, a veteran of the news business.  It was a chance to get free journalistic training, and of course, hone his Chinese out of the classroom.

　　Soon after joining the editorial board, Orrin contributed a three-part travelogue from a recent bike tour around the island.  "There's nothing quite like writing much more than you're used to in much less time than your used to [in Chinese].  It really expanded my limits," he said.  He also received much more feedback than usual, as the editor-in-chief scrupulously edited his drafts and suggested possible improvements.

　　Orrin also noted a marked increase in his speaking confidence.  He interviewed a series of ICLP guest speakers including director Wang Wei (王瑋), who talked about the development of film industries in Asia over the last several decades.  That day Orrin came prepared with an Mp3 recorder, but didn't end up using it.  "I didn't expect to understand something that involved and at the pace of a normal speaker [i.e. non-teacher].  It was only then that I realized how much my tingli [listening ability] had improved."

　　Before taking Chinese, Orrin focused on business in hopes of one day snagging a position at one of the big four accounting firms one day. Taking Chinese proved to be a turning point in both studies.  "It was the first time I enjoyed learning anything.  I wanted my Chinese to be really good," he remarked.  He spent some time in Beijing through the University of California Education Abroad Program.  Still, he remarked, "When I graduated I wasn't anywhere close to where I wanted to be."

　　He was determined to study Chinese fulltime after graduating.  He considered IUP, but had had a hard time dealing with the hustle and bust-not to mention air pollution-of Beijing before.  A short trip to Taiwan helped him make up his mind.  He chose ICLP.

　　Orrin's dream is to "run around the world" experiencing different cultures.  His hardworking attitude and adventurous attitude will be missed on the editorial team.