2023 was another successful year for the Confucius Institute. The staff and students contributed to the positive learning environment which allowed for the growth and prosperity of the institute. For this reason, it is with much sadness that the Confucius Institute at Rhodes University loses three of its teaching staff. Ms. ZHU Jingjing, Ms. ZOU Hanyang, and Ms. Gisela Zipp will all be departing from Rhodes University at the end of 2023 with the fondest memories. Hanyang and Jingjing both joined the Confucius Institute at the beginning of 2022. They were fresh faces with new ideas, eager to start teaching and learning in a new country. Now after two years at Rhodes University, both teachers feel bittersweet about saying goodbye to this place that had become a second home to them! Hanyang stated; “I will really miss the friendly people here because it made it much easier to get used to the town and the university!” Jingjing echoed this sentiment and said, “I enjoyed how relaxing it was here and I could spend a lot of time in nature so I will miss that.”
Furthermore, the Confucius Institute also loses the invaluable skills and contributions of Ms. Gisela Zipp. Gisela became part of the teaching staff at the beginning of 2021 and immediately introduced innovative and exciting methods of learning.
Rhodes University students as well as local scholars have benefitted from her efforts to go above and beyond teaching in the classroom. Her Kung Fu initiative was greatly received by school pupils, and this goes to show her caring nature in going above and beyond what is expected of her. Gisela speaks highly of her time at the Confucius Institute and says, “The essence of learning at CIRU is that it is a very caring department since it is so small, and the lecturers can focus on providing individual attention.” This sentiment is shared by students as well as they shared their kind parting words, and well wishes for Gisela, Hanyang, and Jingjing. As Gisela mentioned, CIRU is a very small department, so the absence of these three teachers will definitely be felt! As much as we may want to hold on to each incredible teacher that becomes part of the CIRU family, we wish them well on their future endeavours and hope that CIRU will hold a special place in their hearts.
