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Have you considered travel to China? Are you in business and have dealings with Chinese businesspeople? Maybe you're just looking to broaden your horizons during these slow, monotonous months of winter? The Chisago Lakes Community Education winter session catalogue includes a "Simple Chinese" course, being taught by John Olinger, that should be fun and sure to expand your mind.

For five years Olinger, his wife Becky and their children lived in China teaching English, while also helping to construct school houses for youngsters in remote areas of China. The Olingers first went over in 1998 and stayed about 15 months and returned in 2002 for a three-year stay.

Olinger, who is Lindstrom's city administrator, explained, "We went to give the people the opportunity to learn and improve their lives. You go there to love them and because there are needs."

He was talking one day with Community Education Director Bob Meyer about China, and Meyer suggested Olinger share his expertise and experiences through community ed.

In China, youth must master various levels of the official English competency exam to continue in their educational pursuits. If you fail you have reached the end of the line, educationally.

Chinese students in their sixth, ninth and 12th grades spend those years preparing for exams, so Olinger's students were in grades 7, 8, 10 and 11. Minus the ability to interact with a teacher like Olinger, students outside China's major urban areas don't stand much chance to learn English, he explained.

Olinger recalls arriving in China not knowing the Chinese language, not knowing how to read, speak or write it. He couldn't decipher the simplest things like the written Chinese character for men's and women's public restrooms. Street signs didn't make any more sense than if he had landed on another planet.

In six community education classes-- beginning January 23-- Olinger will teach what he wished he had known when he arrived in China. He'll keep the classes informative but spontaneous, and help develop your basic knowledge of the language, spoken sounds and useful written characters.

He also wants his community education class to present a taste of Chinese culture, art and social graces. He exudes a great deal of respect for his Chinese friends and personal humility when talking about his family's time there.

Youngsters as little as first grade are expected to oversee themselves in school settings, he said. The barest of necessities are appreciated.

So many positive things came out of this adventure they are almost too numerous to mention. The Olingers hired a young man whom Olinger came across studying in a cemetery, to initially translate for them and help them get about. This fellow honed his English skills and will now work as an English guide, which is decent employment there.

The Olingers are going to stay in the U.S. for a while now, mostly so the children reconnect to the society in which they belong-- but Olinger said he will return to China someday. In the meantime he is enjoying meeting Chinese-speaking residents in the Chisago Lakes Area and looks forward to making a difference in Lindstrom as city administrator. Olinger has a master's degree in public administration and previously worked in city government in Mahtomedi and Richfield.

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If you are interested: Registration for "Simple Chinese" is underway. The fee is $35 for the six sessions, which are Tuesday nights, 6:30 to 7:30 at the Chisago Lakes High School Media Center, Olinda Trail, Lindstrom.

This is Class #7518. Call 213-2600 or investigate online at www.clceonline.com.

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