Back to the fall of 2008, I came to South Korea as an exchange student in Konkuk University. It was my first abroad experience ever in life.  It is this chance and experience that made me feel how difficult life for a foreigner could be if you don’t speak the language at all. Thankfully, I had received a lot of help from many kind people during my stay — it was them that made my experience in Korea a wonderful and unforgettable one.

I returned to Dalian to continue my education (my 3rd year) in late 2008, and in the course of 2 years, I helped a lot of foreign friends (Koreans, Japanese, Thai, Russians, and Americans) both on and off campus. The way how I was helped.  I thought I should pass the love on.

In year 2011, I talked to my girlfriend that maybe I could do something for the foreigners in Dalian to make their lives simpler and easier, by providing a genuine information both from local people and from foreigners who know what-how-why, in their own language, in their own way,  so that their experiences and knowledge can help more people who are staying and who will be staying in Dalian.

I waited for someone else to start it — I thought they would need it and they would start such a community. But I guess there might be something stopped them, either because they are not technical or because they don’t have the time, or even don’t care.

But I do. I care, to this very day. And I am technical enough to start such a place, with help from friends. Time is the only thing I worry about (busy at work), but I hope more people can contribute and we can build a collection of knowledge to help people.

I would like to thank a lot of people who have inspired me. This is also a piece of work to say “Thanks” to you:

  • The Greens (Megan Green and Bryan Green) . Thanks for being so nice to us.
  • The Perries (Christina Perry and Jonathan Perry). Thanks for the culture classes and idioms, and for inviting me to your wedding.
  • 金炅熙 : It was you who help made everything possible.
  • Kate Yang : Thanks for opening the door for us, it is an whole new experience for an undergrad.
  • Dr. Mark Huber : Thanks for the MIS lectures. You made me think in a whole new different way.
  • Dr. Watson : Thanks for the great MIS lectures. Global warming conversation when we were having BBQ on beach was a “brilliant” idea :-)
  • My friends in Dalian, some of your names are difficult for me, so I will just go with your Chinese name : 胜利，吴小清，安泰敏，丹飞，P’za，黄业立，苏丽, etc..
  • And finally, my parents, sister, and my girlfriend. I love you all.