The Journey to Health, Wealth, and Happiness
by Colleen Dougherty
Born in 1964, Xichuan "Matt" Zhang was raised with his sibilings by his mother and grandparents in a small town in Shaanxi Province, China. While Matt's father worked as a technician in a state-owned factory in Xi'an city, his mother cooked for the local People's Commune.
"I'm the only elder son in my family. So when I was young, I also helped a lot in the field.... My father, he actually lived in the city, so he could not help. Sometimes when I was so tired, it was so hard. I said, 'Okay, you need to study hard if you want to come out from this physical labor. You need to study hard to go to college and then maybe you can change your life.'" – Matt Zhang, 2019
Education was prized not only by Matt, but also by his family and community. Matt worked hard to pass the entrance exam to college and moved in with his father in Xi’an city to practice his English. In his first attempt at the exam, he failed. The second time he took it, however, there was cause for celebration.
Everyone in our province, especially in our county, Pucheng County, they always pay great attention to education; even if you're so poor, like my family. So I was the first person for the whole village or small town to actually go to Xi'an Foreign Languages College. So it's very hard. It's not easy to pass the entrance exam. I remember when finally they accept me and say 'Okay you're going go to college,' my parents-- whole village celebrated just like a banquet. So my mom, my dad, who came from the city-- so now finally your family has a college student. I'm the first person in my whole family, generations to go to college (laughs). So it was a big thing for the whole village, the whole town, to celebrate." – Matt Zhang, 2019
At Xi’an Foreign Languages College, [Xi’an International Studies University], Matt majored in English literature and also studied in their physical education college, learning Chinese martial arts.
"At the beginning I started with Chinese martial arts like karate. When I was-- we had a lot of fights. So to protect my family, protect myself-- self defense. That's why I originally start. When I came to college, I saw people practicing Tai Chi, and at the beginning I said that was too slow. Then later, I saw the different styles of Tai Chi....Tai Chi has a lot of benefits. They help you calm down, relax, help you keep balance." – Matt Zhang, 2019
Hoping to earn a master’s degree in physical education in the United States, Matt applied for a student visa. Due to his family’s financial struggles and inability to find a sponsor, however, he was denied twice. After he graduated from college, the government assigned him a job; and then his luck changed.
"In 1993 there is a delegation from the United States. They are doing lectures all over the country, mainly six physical education universities in China. When they came from Beijing to Xi’an… I was the interpreter, and because the president from Delaware University [University of Delaware] and also some professors and directors from that university, they were doing all kinds of lectures how the physical education in the United States looked like. They also visit our campus.... All the students at our college were professional athletes and some were martial arts. They loved martial arts because it was very unique... They said they really want to bring some of the Chinese physical education to America…. So because I know both martial arts and English... instead of trying to find an interpreter, they invited me over to teach as a visiting professor in physical education, but mainly Chinese martial arts." –Matt Zhang, 2019
Matt arrived at the University of Delaware in August 1995. There he met his wife, Georgina Doherty, at a festival where his students performed a Tai Chi demonstration. Impressed by his style, Georgina invited him to teach at her studio in Ambler, Pennsylvania. After they were married, Matt received several invitations to bring Chinese martial arts to Philadelphia. He quickly developed a love for the city and its people.
"We just have the biggest celebration of Chinese New Year.... I was one of their main organizers. About 4-to-500 people were there to celebrate not only the Chinese New Year, but also the 40th anniversary--the ties between China and the United States. So we have all kinds of shows. I invited singers, dancers, even a band, karaoke, and martial arts, Chinese music. We have all the fun. Very, very good, invite all the people. Not only Chinese martial arts, also one called Russian Sambo. People love them. That’s what we want to try and get involved; the whole community. State Representative Jared Solomon, he was making remarks there. He said, 'We want to make northeast Philadelphia a second Chinatown.' (laughs). So right now there are more Chinese people here in Northeast than downtown in Chinatown." – Matt Zhang, 2019
When he first came to the University of Delaware, Matt intended to return to China, but in Philadelphia found a greater opportunity to share his knowledge. Needing more money to support his family, he earned a degree from Chubb Institute in Data Engineering and Computer Networking, and then a master’s degree in computer science from Syracuse University. He also became active in his community.
“As a community leader, I attend a lot of meetings, including some on local how to improve the neighborhood. One is education. It’s very important for Philadelphia.... I called this city the ancient capital of the United States because I came from Xi’an, the ancient capital of China. I’m trying to see whether these two can work together. Especially in my city, as I said earlier, they pay great attention to education-- if you can get a scholar or master's degree or doctor's degree. People, even if their family is very poor, they will borrow money to celebrate. They will host a good huge party for you....So I say education here in Philadelphia is very important and diverse, and also the people of different color, different race, they also need to communicate more so they can understand each other as a culture." – Matt Zhang, 2019
Philadelphia has opened many doors for Matt. Here, he also founded the East West Institute to offer a broad range of services to others.
"I want to be--have my own--then start to teach not only martial arts, Chinese Kung Fu, Tai Chi. Also teach Chinese language, including English language, help them do ESL and computer courses. That’s my dream. I’m hoping I can find sponsors. My school can turn into a non-profit organization and get some grants and really use my experience... Hopefully, in ten to twenty years we don't have to pay tuition. (laughs) We just learn and we are so prosperous, and people really enjoy their life.... It's better if you have the whole country is become prosperous, and also with benefits, especially with education. I think knowledge is power and should be free to learn." – Matt Zhang, 2019