Our Trip
Why visit China or teach English in China? For the adventure of course! It's amazing to meet these Chinese people, see their culture and live how they live.
Teaching English in China, let alone any other country, had never crossed our minds until we were approached by a local company out of Idaho, called China Horizons. They specialize in finding either a paid or voluntary position to teach in China, for students with or without degrees. Now to teach in China you don't necessarily need to go with an agency, and there are a few good ones out there, but if you're not up for the adventure of doing everything on your own, you may want to consider it.
The truth of the matter is, you don't technically need a specific company to go through. Hopefully we can provide a little intro on our site to help you either way if you want to go with an agency or just do it all on your own. We went with this company and they were very helpful, but after going through the process and the paperwork, looking online and asking lots of questions, it wasn't anything that anyone couldn't do for themselves.
Our trip started just after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, actually they were still going on when we arrived in Hong Kong. We flew from San Francisco to Hong Kong on a flight that took about 14 hours. Flying has always been so fun for us, but we had never flown with a baby.
Since he was 11 months old, it made this plane ride even longer. But we would highly recommend the airline we took, Cathay Pacific. Disregarding everything that happened with a little infant, flying with Cathay Pacific was the best decision when going to China. Everything was amazing about the flight, from the little slippers they gave us to the personal tv's and excellent customer service.
Teaching English in China, let alone any other country, had never crossed our minds until we were approached by a local company out of Idaho, called China Horizons. They specialize in finding either a paid or voluntary position to teach in China, for students with or without degrees. Now to teach in China you don't necessarily need to go with an agency, and there are a few good ones out there, but if you're not up for the adventure of doing everything on your own, you may want to consider it.
The truth of the matter is, you don't technically need a specific company to go through. Hopefully we can provide a little intro on our site to help you either way if you want to go with an agency or just do it all on your own. We went with this company and they were very helpful, but after going through the process and the paperwork, looking online and asking lots of questions, it wasn't anything that anyone couldn't do for themselves.
Our trip started just after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, actually they were still going on when we arrived in Hong Kong. We flew from San Francisco to Hong Kong on a flight that took about 14 hours. Flying has always been so fun for us, but we had never flown with a baby.
Since he was 11 months old, it made this plane ride even longer. But we would highly recommend the airline we took, Cathay Pacific. Disregarding everything that happened with a little infant, flying with Cathay Pacific was the best decision when going to China. Everything was amazing about the flight, from the little slippers they gave us to the personal tv's and excellent customer service.
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In the Hong Kong Airport we ended up staying two days due to a Typhoon (we believed it was effects from Typhoon Fengshen that had an even bigger hit to the Philippines and killed over 1300 people) that was delaying all flights. Here we experienced our first taste of Chinese cooking. Also how the Chinese make due when they don't have somewhere to sit/sleep.
So when it started to get dark, that was the immediate signal for hundreds to start staking out their claim for floor space to sleep. Newspapers all over, once used as just means to pass the time, now are all strewn across the floor and unfolded, used as a "shield" from the dirt on the hard airport floor and stained carpet. We couldn't believe it, they were all sleeping on the FLOOR in the middle of this huge Hong Kong airport, it was unreal.
We ended up getting "lucky" and a janitor unlocked a baby changing room for us after having watched us and seen us struggle to manage in this interesting situation. First night in China, the bed was hard, small and a bit smelly, but we had a place to sleep, doesn't matter if it was in a changing room or not. As much as we complained about this whole first night, we were very blessed to have this changing room to live in, and also such an accommodating airport, when it comes to everything but sleeping. They had so much to do, with many types of restaurants, even movie theaters, arcades etc. It was nice to have something to kill the time while been trapped.
From Hong Kong we traveled on to Changsha, the capital of Hunan. Once arriving here, we met up with some of the school leaders that then took us by bus to the university. Most of our group taught at the Xiangtan University, but we did have a few that ended up teaching by themselves in surrounding middle and high schools.
One thing we found about China, is you honestly never know what to expect. For example, once we arrived at the University, they didn't have the majority of the apartments ready for all the teachers in our group. I mean, some of them didn't have the bathroom finished, or the kitchen done. Some were just minor things, like not having the remote to the a/c unit (which we found very important, no remote, no a/c or heat = no good). Some of the teachers had to share remotes for a few months, and some even didn't have hot water for two or three months too. So if you are good to just go with the flow and take whatever craziness comes your way, you'll be just FINE.
Our China program allowed us to sign a four month contract to teach mainly over the Fall Semester. Immediately we each received 6 classes that we would teach throughout the week, each day rotating to teach a different class. The most we would teach per day was ONLY four hours, for each of the days Mon - Friday. We would work directly with an assistant teacher that would make sure we were following all the rules, and was really our contact with the university.
So when it started to get dark, that was the immediate signal for hundreds to start staking out their claim for floor space to sleep. Newspapers all over, once used as just means to pass the time, now are all strewn across the floor and unfolded, used as a "shield" from the dirt on the hard airport floor and stained carpet. We couldn't believe it, they were all sleeping on the FLOOR in the middle of this huge Hong Kong airport, it was unreal.
We ended up getting "lucky" and a janitor unlocked a baby changing room for us after having watched us and seen us struggle to manage in this interesting situation. First night in China, the bed was hard, small and a bit smelly, but we had a place to sleep, doesn't matter if it was in a changing room or not. As much as we complained about this whole first night, we were very blessed to have this changing room to live in, and also such an accommodating airport, when it comes to everything but sleeping. They had so much to do, with many types of restaurants, even movie theaters, arcades etc. It was nice to have something to kill the time while been trapped.
From Hong Kong we traveled on to Changsha, the capital of Hunan. Once arriving here, we met up with some of the school leaders that then took us by bus to the university. Most of our group taught at the Xiangtan University, but we did have a few that ended up teaching by themselves in surrounding middle and high schools.
One thing we found about China, is you honestly never know what to expect. For example, once we arrived at the University, they didn't have the majority of the apartments ready for all the teachers in our group. I mean, some of them didn't have the bathroom finished, or the kitchen done. Some were just minor things, like not having the remote to the a/c unit (which we found very important, no remote, no a/c or heat = no good). Some of the teachers had to share remotes for a few months, and some even didn't have hot water for two or three months too. So if you are good to just go with the flow and take whatever craziness comes your way, you'll be just FINE.
Our China program allowed us to sign a four month contract to teach mainly over the Fall Semester. Immediately we each received 6 classes that we would teach throughout the week, each day rotating to teach a different class. The most we would teach per day was ONLY four hours, for each of the days Mon - Friday. We would work directly with an assistant teacher that would make sure we were following all the rules, and was really our contact with the university.
Our Apartment
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We know that not all schedules will be similar. It really depends on the school, but we LOVED our schedule. The schedule would sometimes be adjusted to pack more in and allow the teacher to take one of the usual work days off too.
The schedules are perfect for those wishing to do some traveling around the area, or even take buses or a train to some of the other areas too. We were able to do some trips up to Beijing, Hong Kong, Guilin (and surrounding areas of Yangshuo), Guangzhou, Changsha and other areas around Xiangtan (like Shaoshan). It was so relaxing teaching during half of the day, and just sight seeing the other half. Unfortunately we didn't get to do sight seeing everyday, because one of us would still always be teaching in the afternoon and the other would be watching our little one year old.
Regardless of the fact that we didn't get to go sight seeing all the time, we did many activities around the campus. Ben is huge into basketball, and everyday (even when there was snow on the ground) there would be outside basketball games going on. They are very die hard when it comes to getting a good game of ball on. Also there would be tons of concerts, plays, singing competitions and more. There was always something going on. We even helped plan and coordinate maybe the one and only Halloween party and dance they have ever had on this campus. It was fun but very interesting, getting over a hundred Asians to dance like crazy Americans was something else.
The schedules are perfect for those wishing to do some traveling around the area, or even take buses or a train to some of the other areas too. We were able to do some trips up to Beijing, Hong Kong, Guilin (and surrounding areas of Yangshuo), Guangzhou, Changsha and other areas around Xiangtan (like Shaoshan). It was so relaxing teaching during half of the day, and just sight seeing the other half. Unfortunately we didn't get to do sight seeing everyday, because one of us would still always be teaching in the afternoon and the other would be watching our little one year old.
Regardless of the fact that we didn't get to go sight seeing all the time, we did many activities around the campus. Ben is huge into basketball, and everyday (even when there was snow on the ground) there would be outside basketball games going on. They are very die hard when it comes to getting a good game of ball on. Also there would be tons of concerts, plays, singing competitions and more. There was always something going on. We even helped plan and coordinate maybe the one and only Halloween party and dance they have ever had on this campus. It was fun but very interesting, getting over a hundred Asians to dance like crazy Americans was something else.
Halloween in China (DANCE PARTY)
The English club asked us to host an "American Halloween Party," for their monthly activity. Not only did we get a party planned with activities, food, etc...but we also did a Halloween dance!! We had over a hundred students attend, with banners like this one on right put up around the campus to do the advertising. So we kind of found out, either no one knows how to dance or, everyone was just so shy to dance with a partner to American music.
With lots of help from the other American teachers in our group, we were able to get everything set up, and get people dancing on the dance floor. We pretty much just had to start pairing people up and told them to watch the others couples that were dancing.
It was interesting too, to see what types of costumes and the kind of creativity these poor students had to dress up for the party. Overall it was so fun, and really weren't sure if anything had been done like this before (we know the dancing wasn't ever attempted before).
With lots of help from the other American teachers in our group, we were able to get everything set up, and get people dancing on the dance floor. We pretty much just had to start pairing people up and told them to watch the others couples that were dancing.
It was interesting too, to see what types of costumes and the kind of creativity these poor students had to dress up for the party. Overall it was so fun, and really weren't sure if anything had been done like this before (we know the dancing wasn't ever attempted before).
Here we started, and this may not be accurate, the "first foreigners basketball team," made up mostly of Americans and Koreans. And I say this may not be accurate because what we heard was that this was the first "non-Chinese" team to play in the universities tournament.
Just by glancing at the photo you can tell we didn't make it to the championship, but we did get to play the university team, which needless to say we got killed. I think the game was only arranged so they could rub it in our faces, but it was still fun.
They even invited me to play in the MVP players game, which none of them spoke English, so again it was an interesting but fun. Basketball was so popular over there it was unreal. There would be games going on at all hours of the day, mostly disregarding bad weather, just to get more ball time in.
Christmas in CHINA
Christmas in China doesn't mean we get out of NOT doing Christmas cards. This was our Christmas greetings photo that we sent out to family, friends and students. Its so interesting to show what we would usually do (like Christmas Cards) that is so normal for us to do each year, but so different to others. Brayden thought he was the "Last Emperor" dressed like that, those Chinese outfits are so cool.
Xiangtan University
We taught at a university called Xiangtan University. Xiangtan University is in the southern part of China and is known for being the area of the late Chairman Mao Zedong. Also, its located about an hour or 25 miles from his hometown in Shaoshan, which is a very popular tourist spot regardless of the horrible history this man has caused upon these people (for more on this read a book called, "Red China Blues: My Long March from Mao to Now" by Jan Wong. This is an excellent book that gives great history and tells a non bias story of what really happened to the people of China.)
This university has 34,000 students and over 700 professors and associate profesors on a 1,703,651 Square meter campus. So its a pretty good sized place, with many students.
This university has 34,000 students and over 700 professors and associate profesors on a 1,703,651 Square meter campus. So its a pretty good sized place, with many students.
We found many students either knew lots of English, or they know enough to get by. It was very easy to get around while on the campus because of that, but leaving campus is when the adventure would begin. Most students are required to take a foreign language, and many of them are not given a choice as what to take, its usually assigned to them (very different from United States).
This is the school that we taught a lot of English and even managed to learn some Chinese too. Many of the buildings were in a pretty good condition, wouldn't even compare really to any of the United States Universities, but there were some with no A/C, heat and of course there is almost no elevators at all for those lovely 7 story stair climb to your class.
Michelle had a class like this, no heat and the ceiling fans were covered in spiders, huge webs would stretch all across the ceiling. Something you would expect to see in a movie, but it adds to the experience, you never know what to expect. Funny part was, it never seemed to bother the students.
This is the school that we taught a lot of English and even managed to learn some Chinese too. Many of the buildings were in a pretty good condition, wouldn't even compare really to any of the United States Universities, but there were some with no A/C, heat and of course there is almost no elevators at all for those lovely 7 story stair climb to your class.
Michelle had a class like this, no heat and the ceiling fans were covered in spiders, huge webs would stretch all across the ceiling. Something you would expect to see in a movie, but it adds to the experience, you never know what to expect. Funny part was, it never seemed to bother the students.
•They talk very quitely, and are not used to volenteering much, although most know the answer when I ask them. •They go to school from (class schedules vary) 8-9:40, 10-11:40, (have a break for lunch and nap) 2-3:30, 4-5:30, (break for dinner) 7-9:30. These are the possible class times, ofcourse not all of them have class all of these times every day, but these are when they can have class. •They go through all four years of college together as a class. Most of my classes consisted of 28-32, but I’ve heard of some totaling around 80-90. These are their classmates, and can become good friends and lifelong contact buddies. I believe many of their earlier schooling is this way too, with the same people in many of their classes. •The students I had had a great respect for the teacher and would wait at the door if they came in late, telling me they were sorry and asking if its ok to come in. Also, if they will be gone for whatever reason, they or a friend will come ask the teacher for a leave.
Required Military Training
All freshman are required to fulfill a two week military training. When asked about it, they seemed like it wasn't a big deal, but more something everyone who starts college must go through. They explained to us that it was to make them to learn disipline and obedience to those incontrol.
After further questioning why, we believe much of this came into affect after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 on June 4th. On this day the Chinese government (troops and tanks of the People's Liberation Army) killed an unknown amount of Chinese students and intellectuals, majority of estimates rage from several hundred to thousands.
Still to this date this topic of the Tiananmen Square protests are not talked about. The Chinese government has taken measures to block or censor information, even as far as blocking topics like this in their textbooks. The governments stance is that this was needed for the stability and economic success of China.
It was very interesting to watch them march about all day in the hot August sun, lead by their leader, who was no older than a few years older than them. March, march, march, sit, sit and march more and sit more for hours, that was mainly the bulk of what they did, at least that was all we saw them do. Seemed like a pretty monotonous two weeks, most seemed very revealed when it was all over. Here is a picture of a few of them all dressed up in their military garb, still looking cheerful.
After further questioning why, we believe much of this came into affect after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 on June 4th. On this day the Chinese government (troops and tanks of the People's Liberation Army) killed an unknown amount of Chinese students and intellectuals, majority of estimates rage from several hundred to thousands.
Still to this date this topic of the Tiananmen Square protests are not talked about. The Chinese government has taken measures to block or censor information, even as far as blocking topics like this in their textbooks. The governments stance is that this was needed for the stability and economic success of China.
It was very interesting to watch them march about all day in the hot August sun, lead by their leader, who was no older than a few years older than them. March, march, march, sit, sit and march more and sit more for hours, that was mainly the bulk of what they did, at least that was all we saw them do. Seemed like a pretty monotonous two weeks, most seemed very revealed when it was all over. Here is a picture of a few of them all dressed up in their military garb, still looking cheerful.
