In Suzhou, a Czech educator builds a life around Chinese culture

Standing 1.97 meters tall, Robert Vlcek, academic principal of the international department of Suzhou No.1 High School, is hard to miss when he walks around campus. He can speak five languages and is into tai chi and traditional Chinese medicine. Having lived in China for more than two decades and taught in Suzhou for over 10 years, the foreign educator has made Chinese culture part of his everyday life.

Robert's connection with the Chinese language began when he was studying at a university in Australia. In 1999, he made his first trip to China. He spent six months studying Chinese at Beijing International Studies University before returning to Australia to complete his undergraduate degree. He then went to Tsinghua University, where he spent another year studying Chinese systematically."Listening, speaking, reading and writing are all important, but there is one thing many people overlook: You have to find something you are genuinely interested in," said Robert. For him, that interest comes in the form of tai chi. While working in Chengdu in the southwestern province of Sichuan, he took up the practice and made a group of Chinese friends with whom he exercised nearly every day.

Robert continued practicing tai chi after moving to Suzhou. No matter how busy work gets, he sets aside 30 minutes to one hour every day to practice it. "Tai chi is about balancing yin and yang. A busy day can drain your yang energy, and practicing tai chi replenishes it. It was exhausting when I first started, but afterward you feel, 'Wow, everything is flowing.' It's hard to describe how good it feels," he said with a smile.Robert is also enthusiastic about traditional Chinese medicine. A friend at Tsinghua University introduced him to TCM around 2000, which opened him up to a new way of understanding health. Since then, whenever he feels fatigued, or has a headache, a cold or a stomachache, he turns to acupuncture first. "Traditional Chinese medicine views the human body as a whole. It emphasizes treatment according to the person, the place and the time. I particularly identify with this philosophy," he said.

In the summer of 2016, Robert settled in Suzhou. He first lived on the east side of Jinji Lake in Suzhou Industrial Park and preferred walking in Baitang Botanical Garden. Later, after moving to the west shore of Jinji Lake, he often strolled along the lake in the evening. He now lives in Wujiang District, where he can see Taihu Lake from his apartment and enjoy a sense of tranquility.Robert finds the winding alleyways in Gusu District especially fascinating: "A narrow lane near our school leads to Guanqian Street. There aren't many people around, and you can experience local life up close. The white walls and black-tiled roofs are beautiful." He often visits the area around the Suzhou Museum and the Humble Administrator's Garden, but sometimes he simply stands outside and watches people waiting in line. "I can feel how excited they are. They are about to visit the two famous scenic spots. Their anticipation and enthusiasm are contagious."

In 2021, Robert was conferred the honor of "Friend of Suzhou" in recognition of his efforts to promote international education and cultural exchange. To him, the title is not an end, but a reason to remain committed to education and continue building bridges between different cultures.A big fan of Chinese culture, Robert can even recite "Memorial to Yueyang Tower" written by Chinese scholar Fan Zhongyan nearly 1,000 years ago. The famous line "Worry before all others have worried, rejoice after all others have rejoiced" has struck a chord with the Czech man. Perhaps that is the deepest impression China and Suzhou have left on him.
Source: 引力播 (Yinlibo app); photos courtesy of Suzhou No.1 High School