Anna Bass, an ESL teacher and filmmaker, discusses her experiences in Montreal, New York, and Moscow. They cover the impact of the pandemic in New York, contact tracing in China, digital payments, the movie Generation P, studying Chinese and their plans for the HSK test, transportation in China, working as an ESL teacher, Dream Movers Camp, navigating the city, practical skills learned at the camp, and surviving in the online media world.
New York City has experienced significant changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to empty streets, a decline in business, and a decrease in office attendance.
The closure of theaters, Broadway shows, and many businesses has had a major impact on the city's vibrancy and the entertainment industry, with many actors and people in the arts leaving the city.
The pandemic has brought about changes in the daily lives and work routines of New Yorkers, including a shift to remote work, closure of schools, and changes to the retail landscape.
Anna Bass has developed a unique educational program, Dream Movers Camp, in which she provides a three-week immersive experience for Russian students in New York City, focusing on creativity, language skills, and understanding American culture.
Deep dives
Changes in New York City during the pandemic
New York City has experienced significant changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The city has become emptier and quieter, with fewer tourists and many New Yorkers leaving for other states. Midtown Manhattan, typically bustling with office workers, is now largely empty. The closure of theaters, Broadway shows, and many businesses has had a major impact on the city's vibrancy. There have also been changes in the real estate market, with rents decreasing and many apartments becoming available. Despite these changes, many people believe that New York City will recover and that its unique energy will return once the pandemic subsides.
The impact of COVID-19 on New York City's tourism and entertainment industry
New York City's tourism industry has been severely affected by the pandemic. The lack of tourists has led to empty streets and a decline in business for stores and restaurants, particularly in popular tourist areas like Fifth Avenue and Soho. The closure of theaters and the suspension of Broadway shows have also had a significant impact on the entertainment industry. Many actors and people working in the arts have left the city as a result. However, there is hope that once the pandemic is over, tourism and entertainment will bounce back, as they have after previous challenging periods such as 9/11.
Changes in people's daily lives and work in New York City
The pandemic has brought about changes in the daily lives and work routines of New Yorkers. Many people have transitioned to remote work, including those working in the financial, banking, and IT sectors. This has led to a decrease in office attendance, resulting in Midtown Manhattan becoming emptier. Indoor dining has been limited or closed for prolonged periods, impacting the restaurant industry. The high cost of living in New York City coupled with the closure of schools has also caused many families to move to other states. Additionally, the reduction in tourism and the closure of stores have resulted in changes to the retail landscape, with many shops closing down and rents decreasing.
The transformation of Beijing and Tianjin over time
The cities of Beijing and Tianjin in China have undergone significant transformations over the years. Between 2003 and 2004, the neighborhood surrounding Tianjin Normal University, where the speaker studied, has changed drastically. Buildings and areas that once existed have been replaced, reflecting China's rapid development. Additionally, the mode of transportation has evolved, with a shift from bicycles to electric scooters. The speaker also noted that Beijing has gone through a similar transformation, becoming more modernized and digitalized. The rapid changes and modernization in both cities have left a lasting impression on the speaker.
Creating a Unique Educational Experience
Anna has developed a unique and personalized educational program called Dream Movers Camp. The program focuses on providing a three-week immersive experience for Russian students in New York City. It combines lessons, museum visits, creative projects, and practical skills, such as navigating the subway. Students engage in activities like filmmaking and improv theater, all while using English as the main language of communication. The program aims to cultivate creativity, language skills, and an understanding of American culture.
Adapting to the Pandemic
Due to the pandemic, Anna had to adapt her program to the online platform. She experimented with virtual experiences by using videos showcasing New York City and incorporating interactive lessons. She utilized techniques like playback theater and conducted group activities through video conferencing. While facing challenges and adjusting to the virtual format, Anna sees potential in this new approach and envisions the possibility of reaching students from different countries in the future.
Navigating Business and Education
Anna's long-term vision for Dream Movers Camp includes expanding to other cities and offering the program in different languages. She wants to create a replicable model that can be adapted to locations with rich cultural environments and educational opportunities. While Anna initially considered pursuing a master's degree in education entrepreneurship, she re-evaluated her plans due to the pandemic and is currently focusing on online education and exploring new possibilities for her program.
Anna's Personal Journey
Anna's personal journey has taken her from Russia to Montreal and eventually to New York City, where she has established Dream Movers Camp. She reflects on the challenges and successes she has experienced as an entrepreneur and educator. Anna is open to whatever the future may hold and is prepared to adapt to changing circumstances, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, cultural immersion, and meaningful learning experiences.
Today’s episode features Anna Bass, a lady I met just before I left for China. We were both in Montreal for a month working on our CELTAs after which I was scheduled to go to China while she was to remain in North America and start up her own business. We had a chance to catch up and talk about how things have gone since our course together.
Anna isn’t just an ESL teacher. We initially got talking about movies and filmmaking during which I learned that she has several film credits to her name, including Generation P, a feature film based on Viktor Pelevin’s book of the same name, and Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan. She has a bit of a knack for languages as not only speaks Russian and English, but she also studied Chinese while living in China for a year. She was studying French when we met while in Montreal.
