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Mei-Li and Scott fell in love and married two years ago. They met through mutual friends in Mei-Li’s native Hualien. Scott has lived in Hualien for three years, teaching English and studying Chinese.

But now Scott is tired of struggling to learn Chinese. And he’s tired of being a foreigner. “I’m ready to move back to Canada,” he tells Mei-Li. “You’ll love it there!”

Mei-Li and Scott had talked about moving to Canada someday. But she thought that would be in the distant future. She doesn’t fell ready to leave her home and family anytime soon.

If you were Mei-Li, what would you do? Would you do this?

Decision 1

Mei-Li: I know you’re not happy here right now. But everyone has frustrations when they’re learning a language. Don’t give up now!

Scott: It’s not just the language. I’m tired of not fitting in. I can’t do things for myself like I can in Canada.

Mei-Li: But if we move to Canada, I’ll have those problems!

Scott: But your English is already much better than my Chinese.

Mei-Li: (sighs) If you insist, we can move to Canada.

Scott: Honey, I’m not going to force you. If you really don’t want to move…

Mei-Li: I don’t. Let’s wait a few years, and I’ll keep improving my English. Then if you still have your heart set on it, we can move.

Scott: (sigh) OK.

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Decision 2

Mei-Li: I thought you loved living in Asia.

Scott: I do. But it’s hard for both of us that I’m not literate here. Aren’t you tired of translating for me, and giving me cultural tips all the time?

Mei-Li: But you’d have to do that for me in Canada. I don’t want to be a foreigner, either!

Scott: Honey, I’ve lived in your culture for three years now. Aren’t you willing to try living in mine for a while?

Mei-Li: Well, when you put it that way…OK. Let’s try it.

Scott: Thank you! You’ll love it, I promise! And if you’re really miserable, we can always talk about moving back here again. OK?

Mei-Li: (smiling) OK.

Decision 3

Mei-Li: Whether we live here or in Canada, one of us feels like an outsider. I guess that’s one of the biggest challenges of having an intercultural marriage.

Scott: I know. Can we find a way to compromise? Maybe we could look for jobs someplace that’s foreign to both of us.

Mei-Li: That makes sense. Then you and I would be in the same boat.

Scott: That’s right. So where would you like to live, my dear?

Mei-Li: Maybe we could move someplace like Singapore, where Chinese and Westerners both fit in.

Scott: Good idea! Let’s go online and see what jobs can find.

Word Bank

Mutual (adj) 共同的

Jack and I met at the party of a mutual acquaintance.

Distant (adj) 遥远的；久远的

One day I would like to own a house. But that is in the distant future.

Fit in (idiom) 融入

Ruby doesn’t really fit in with her classmates. She has little in common with them.

Have one’s heart set on something (idiom) 对某事下定决心

Helen has her heart set on becoming a dancer when she grows up. I hope her dream comes true.

Literate (adj) 能读写的

Kelly’s teenage son needs extra reading and writing classes because he isn’t literate.

Miserable (adj) 痛苦的；悲惨的

Glen is really miserable at his job. He wants to quit.

Outsider (n) 外人；局外人

Mel just started a new job last week. So he still feels like an outsider in the company.

Compromise (v) 折衷；妥协

Phil wanted to leave home at 7:15. But his wife, Liz, wanted to leave at 7:45. So they compromised and left at 7:30.

More Information

Intercultural (adj) 不同文化间的

I’ve learned a lot about intercultural communication from my job. We have employees from seven different countries.