One of our teachers, Tricia, is writing a blog to help inform others about life in China and at SESC Hangzhou. Have a read and see if it seems like something you'd like to be part of then head to the 'apply now' section of this website!
I've never written a blog meant for strangers to read so this is new to me. I moved to China from America to work at Shane English School about 9 months ago. Of course, it takes a while to feel "at home" in China, but it's a rich, rewarding feeling when it finally happens. Working at Shane has been pretty awesome so far. My favorite part has probably been meeting the kids we get to work with. I think every class I teach is better than the last, with the help of the other teachers and staff in the office, and for all of us becoming a better teacher is gradual and consistent. As much as we are contributing to the kids' English Language skills, I'm convinced that we gain more from the experience than them. I can't imagine a better way to learn about another country and culture as complex and changing as China's. We're interested in the kids and their lives, and they want to know about where we come from, and so our mutual curiosity creates a classroom atmosphere full of little revelations and discoveries for teachers and students. It's never boring and it's never the same twice. When I made the decision to move to China to teach, I wanted a challenging adventure, and I definitely found it.
I remember feeling very anxious about arriving here. I wasn't sure how much support we'd receive or how difficult if would be to get by day by day with no Chinese language skills. Soon after I came to Hangzhou, I realized that I was going to have to do things on my own sometimes, and that meant making a fool out of myself with some shop workers who spoke no English, and sometimes getting into awkward little uncomfortable situations. Coming here made quickly made me more independent and I got over being self-conscious and embarrassed within a few weeks. At the same time, there are people at school who are fluent in Chinese and who are available to help with anything you may need help with. I'm not exaggerating; Whether you need a translator at a doctor's visit, where to find a bus station, recommendations for places to take family and friends, getting your bank card replaced, how and where to buy a bike, and whether or not you're getting ripped off, we have friends at school who always answer their cell phones when we are in need. Since so many of us are from so far away, the school staff really does become a family. Alice and Jasmine are two of our go-to Chinese staff members and my roommate and fellow teacher Leanne and I often joke that we're going to "call mom" when we have to call them to ask for help.
I guess that's all for now. Soon I'll try to include some more specific stories about teaching at our school. Until then, zai jian!
I've never written a blog meant for strangers to read so this is new to me. I moved to China from America to work at Shane English School about 9 months ago. Of course, it takes a while to feel "at home" in China, but it's a rich, rewarding feeling when it finally happens. Working at Shane has been pretty awesome so far. My favorite part has probably been meeting the kids we get to work with. I think every class I teach is better than the last, with the help of the other teachers and staff in the office, and for all of us becoming a better teacher is gradual and consistent. As much as we are contributing to the kids' English Language skills, I'm convinced that we gain more from the experience than them. I can't imagine a better way to learn about another country and culture as complex and changing as China's. We're interested in the kids and their lives, and they want to know about where we come from, and so our mutual curiosity creates a classroom atmosphere full of little revelations and discoveries for teachers and students. It's never boring and it's never the same twice. When I made the decision to move to China to teach, I wanted a challenging adventure, and I definitely found it.
I remember feeling very anxious about arriving here. I wasn't sure how much support we'd receive or how difficult if would be to get by day by day with no Chinese language skills. Soon after I came to Hangzhou, I realized that I was going to have to do things on my own sometimes, and that meant making a fool out of myself with some shop workers who spoke no English, and sometimes getting into awkward little uncomfortable situations. Coming here made quickly made me more independent and I got over being self-conscious and embarrassed within a few weeks. At the same time, there are people at school who are fluent in Chinese and who are available to help with anything you may need help with. I'm not exaggerating; Whether you need a translator at a doctor's visit, where to find a bus station, recommendations for places to take family and friends, getting your bank card replaced, how and where to buy a bike, and whether or not you're getting ripped off, we have friends at school who always answer their cell phones when we are in need. Since so many of us are from so far away, the school staff really does become a family. Alice and Jasmine are two of our go-to Chinese staff members and my roommate and fellow teacher Leanne and I often joke that we're going to "call mom" when we have to call them to ask for help.
I guess that's all for now. Soon I'll try to include some more specific stories about teaching at our school. Until then, zai jian!
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