Husband and Wife Duo Make a Cultural Impact on Randolph County and the College

Xiaolan Zhuang, Continuing Education instructor, and her husband Robert Saxby met on a boat ferry going to France. She was going to Amsterdam and he was on his way to France to shop for the holidays. Little did she know that after this meeting she would embark on a new and exciting adventure that would lead her to Seagrove, North Carolina.

Originally from Huangnitang, China, Xiaolan lived in London and obtained her master’s degree in Education. Xiaolan and Robert married in January 2004 and after being turned down numerous times for visas to the United States, Xiaolan was finally able to join her husband a year and two months after getting married. Xiaolan began teaching Chinese I and II and Chinese Culture at RCC in January 2006. With a teaching background that spans teaching English in China for eight years and in London, Xiaolan brings Chinese culture to RCC Continuing Education classes in more than language, but through books, art and history.

During a recent conversation about what inspires Xiaolan, she said, “When I see the students learn and use what I’ve taught, I’m excited. I like to see them interacting and enjoying class.”

Xiaolan’s Elementary Chinese I class at RCC begins on September 12. It is a 36 hour program and open to all who wish to learn the Chinese language and more about Chinese culture. Stop by Continuing Education for more information. In addition, Xiaolan’s husband, Robert, is a potter in Seagrove and will be opening his pottery shop named The English Potter this fall. The store is located on Hwy 705. For more information, please contact Lewis Edwards at x217.