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| Todd is talking about his favorite helicopter. |
For some from the time they were a tot there was but one dream, flying. Helping turn Chinese childhood dreams of flying into adulthood reality, Mr. Todd Wichmann from Washington D.C., USA is calling Tianjin, China home these days and punching the clock at the Civil Aviation University of China located in the BinHai District of Tianjin.
Todd holds a very unique position as the only foreign teacher teaching aviation at the Civil Aviation University of China. Seeing as many expats get locked into the role of "English Teacher" for life, Todd is leveraging his unique professional background along with his desire to set sail for the seas abroad to find job security and a rewarding teaching career in Tianjin.
Todd was kind enough to share with JIN magazine the tips, tricks and advice his time in Tianjin has allowed him to acquire. For those thinking about living, working, studying or traveling to Tianjin, these words of wisdom should prove useful, especially if you are considering making Tianjin home for more than a few weeks or months.
As mentioned Todd arrived in Tianjin from the US capital of Washington D.C. He has called China home for last 5 years, with virtually the entire part of those 5 years being spent in Tianjin. This led to a question right off the bat, why did Todd choose Tianjin instead of the bigger cities of Beijing and Shanghai?
Todd mentioned that Tianjin is the right blend of the east with the west. Namely, in some parts of Beijing and Shanghai, it has become less and less obvious you are in China. Foreigners are a plenty, foreign brands and goods are everywhere, therefore for Todd, the interesting aspects of being in China become less and less. For Todd he feels Tianjin provides the balance he is looking for. As he mentioned, when you want to get some real Chinese food, he has more choices than imaginable, and too he said he has never been disappointed. On the other side, Tianjin is not your back country cabin. Tianjin does have its fair share of foreign folk and foreign food. However it is not so overrun with such that you will find yourself wondering if you are even in China. Todd mentions he would never choose to go to Beijing or Shanghai, rather plans on calling Tianjin home for the foreseeable future as it gives him plenty of opportunity to enjoy the local Chinese cultural and tasty treats while having access to the food and goodies of his previous place of residence the U.S.A.
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| Todd in his classroom |
How did Todd find his way to Tianjin China? Todd had a Chinese friend who passionately recommended him coming to China and trying his hand at life abroad. Originally Todd's friend helped him secure a teaching position at the TangShan Medical College, however that tenor was short in duration. Todd's unique professional background caught the attention of the Civil Aviation University of China located in the BinHai District of Tianjin. What is Todd's work history?
Todd has 19 years of professional flying experience. In the US as a professional pilot, Todd flew for Life Flight, also known as air ambulance. Flying an emergency rescue helicopter year after year, Todd doesn't just have classroom teaching skills, he has real hands on flying time. Essentially, be it rain, snow, wind or else, when the call comes for an emergency flight Todd was on the move and to the skies. In addition, if the pressure of the terrible weather were not enough, he had the precious cargo of a human life in desperate need of medical attention onboard. After 19 years of such thrills, Todd under the advice and guidance of a Chinese friend decided for a change of pace, namely come to China and use his aviation skills to teach Chinese students yearning to take to the skies themselves. With such a stellar resume Todd had no trouble finding work. In 2009 Todd arrived in China and has yet to go back to the States, even once. When asked why, Todd said, ‘simply no need, everything I need and want is right here in Tianjin'.
Having come to Tianjin China for the principal reason of work, Todd has much to share about making a successful career in Tianjin. As to the big topic, let's talk dollars, or should we say Chinese Yuan! When it comes to compensation, Todd is quite satisfied. He feels the money he is being paid lets him live a comfortable life. Stating Tianjin offers a lower cost of living when compared with the States along with less overall work hours, Todd finds working at the Civil Aviation University of China quite satisfying. In addition to the pay package, Todd is very pleased with the vacation time, stating he has more time off here in Tianjin than back in the US.
Apart from the financial benefits of working in Tianjin, Todd also spoke on the nature of his work and Chinese students. Incredibly, Todd teaches approximately 800 Chinese students per year how to fly! He finds Chinese students very attentive and excellent in their attendance. In the first month of class, Todd describes students as "clams", all sealed up. They are unsure how to take him, as again he is the only foreign expert teaching aviation on campus. Todd puts them at ease by joking around with them, not to embarrass them. He doesn't yell or chastise them. Instead he slowly but surely draws them out and little by little helps these "clams" to open up and reveal the "pearls" they possess inside. Todd does spend time socializing with his students, something a bit different than back home in the US. He has eaten many a meal with them and even introduced them to a lot of tasty western foods. Todd finds making friends with the students invaluable in achieving the overall goal of becoming great pilots. They need to learn what Todd teaches, and the more the students relax and focus on the material instead of the teacher and being nervous, the better. Todd describes the Chinese pilots as above average, each having a solid foundation in ground theory, radio, telephone communication and aircraft 101. Not to mention over 77% of the students Todd teaches will go abroad for additional aviation training. These pilots are well trained and suited for international aviation. The remaining 20% of the student base will work in China for regional airlines. Todd's teaching made history in 2013 as well, as for the first time in the history of the school, 36 Chinese females were welcomed to the aviation training class.
Todd has found a home in Tianjin both personally and professionally. In recent times he has married a local Chinese woman from Tangshan. Together they are raising two children, a son in his teens and daughter who will turn 3 this year. On the personal side Todd finds his new Chinese family to be very welcoming. They treat him with respect and enjoy spending time together. All said, Todd has found a rewarding career utilizing specialized skills to enrich the Chinese youth and future pilots of the world, likewise found love abroad and has come to know the joys of fatherhood. Todd does not plan on returning to the US anytime soon. With good pay and plenty of spare time, Todd feels Tianjin is providing him the life he wants. JIN Magazine wishes Todd and his family all the best and expresses their appreciation for the time he took in participating in this interview!
