Channeling Jane

Xueyin Zha '16. Photo by Rizwan Saffie '14.

Photo by Rizwan Saffie '14.

Xueyin Zha ’16 

By MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson

In her classic novel Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte introduces a woman of grit, intelligence and reason—a sharp departure from the delicate Victorian blooms that dominated the literature of the day. That character still resonates with readers like John Dickinson scholar Xueyin Zha ’16, whose aspirations run against the grain. Discover why a middle-school reading assignment led Zha toward a scholarly path that includes a year as a visiting scholar at Oxford University, and learn about her brush with Beijing opera, the Mosaic that led to a research stipend and what she really thinks about her strict upbringing.

Majors:

History and sociology.

 

Hometown:

Guangzhou, China.

Clubs and organizations:

Norman M. Eberly Writing Center and Multilingual Writing Center (tutor), French Club, Social Justice House and service trips.

Favorite book:

Growing up, I didn't feel oppressed as a woman, but I didn't learn about gender equality. Jane Eyre gave me a great example of a woman empowered by thoughts, faith and knowledge—a woman whose reason wins the battle against passion. It basically made me realize that there is nothing wrong with being a "serious" girl, one who spends tons of time studying and reading and not much time chatting online or dressing up. 

Favorite movie:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Favorite place on campus:

The area in front of Old West—not just because of its significance in Dickinson history, but because it is a joy to see the symphony of colors there as the seasons change—tree leaves, grass, snow and Adirondack chairs. 

Favorite Dining Hall food:

Anything from the Kove and the vegetables from the entrée station. 

On choosing a major:

I had no idea what to major in when I started college. The Mediterranean Migration Mosaic I participated in during spring 2013 changed that. It was taught by [Charles A. Dana Professor of Sociology] Susan Rose and [Professor of History] Marcelo Borges, and it was challenging for me. However, I got to see how the disciplines of history and sociology interweave beautifully, and I was assured of my ability to handle both.

Biggest influence:

My parents. By disciplining me, they taught me how to self-discipline. 

Little-known talent:

I come from a very artistic family: My dad teaches Chinese folk music at South China Normal University and my mom is a former Huang Mei Opera performer. I don't consider myself a musician, but I know several instruments, and I started learning Beijing opera during the summer of 2012, a long summer when I had nothing to do before I came to the U.S. It was a huge commitment, because unlike Western opera, Beijing opera includes singing, dancing, martial arts and speaking. But with the dedicated training of several professional performers, my family's help and a little bit of talent, I managed to perform in a small theatre in Guangzhou, China.

Proudest achievement:

I managed to be the first Asian international student to tutor English-language writing in the Writing Center.

On digital research:

I worked with [Associate Professor of History] Karl Qualls on the Russian Prince project, a digital-humanities project that makes history readily accessible by digitizing it—building websites, making videos and utilizing many other digital tools. I also was a Dana intern for the Carlisle Indian School project.

Post-Dickinson plans:

I hope to either go right into a Ph.D. program or get a grant to conduct interesting research that combines the perspectives of political and social history. [I haven’t pinpointed] the exact subject I will study in grad school—hopefully, I’ll figure that out while I’m at Oxford next year.

Most important thing I’ve learned so far:

Do not be afraid of tomorrow; do not regret yesterday. Live today as best you can. 

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Published September 26, 2014