Having lived in Shenzhen for about six months, Dawn Byers has already become quite well known among the city's foreign teachers.

Byers is now the coordinator of a foreign teachers' organization in Shenzhen known as Memphis Tennessee.

Asked why the organization was named after a place in the United States, she said not all of the members were from Memphis.

"We are from different places in America. I come from Iowa State. It is this group in Shenzhen that links us together," she said.

Byers is teaching at Shenzhen Experimental School. Having done much academic research in international culture communication, Byers said she could apply her knowledge to daily teaching.

"I just love Chinese culture, now I not only know more about the lives of Chinese people and Chinese culture but also teach my students about Western culture."

As coordinator of the foreign teachers' group, Byers is active in organizing different activities.

"We often get together at special occasions such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. I also like to go shopping with our members during weekends. Dongmen is my shopping Mecca, as it features lots of traditional Chinese architecture."

Traveling is a popular activity for foreigners in China and Byers is planning a group tour this year.

"Lots of my friends like to visit cities like Chengdu, Guilin and Harbin. At this time of the year, it will be a golden time to travel to Harbin, as ice and snow are very beautiful."

Byers enjoys traditional Chinese music very much, so she has decided to learn the erhu this year. "I once listened to erhu music, it was so gorgeous that I wanted to learn how to play the erhu. Although I do not expect to play on the stage, I will ask a music teacher to teach me and develop it as my hobby."

Editor: Catherine