Caili(Cai) Bonar (she/her/they/them)

Track: History

Areas of Historical Interest: East Asian

Cai is originally from Toledo, Ohio. They attended the University of Toledo, where they studied History and Music. After graduating, they worked in the United States as a teacher for the Institute of Reading Development. Because of their interest in East Asian history, they moved to China in order to learn Chinese. Cai is currently working in Nantong, Jiangsu, China as an English Language teacher to children ages 3-12.  They live with their husband Adam, and their four pets: cats, Sushi (grey) and Nori (white and grey), and dogs, Miso (looks like a fox) and Kimchi. In their free time they enjoy singing, playing piano, and cooking. They also serve as an officer with the History Graduate Student Association (HGSA) at UMass Boston. 

Favorite fun fact: “It’s not really historical, but it’s a fun fact that I’ve learned to embrace while being in China. Everything, and I mean everything, can be cured with hot water. It’s like a cure all here. Fever? Hot water. Sore throat? Hot water. Cough? Hot water. Broken leg? Hot water. It’s Tuesday? Hot water. I don’t know, they just think it’s really really good for you. I used to think it was weird, but after four years of them telling me to drink it, I like hot water now.”