Maria Liszewska joined our project at BOB school in Shantou, China in the summer of 2017. Please read on to hear more about her experience:

 

Please can you tell us about some of your most enjoyable moments of the trip?

Meeting Chinese teachers and students, making international friends, organising lessons with a variety of groups, which made my teaching challenging and interesting, as well as meeting other volunteers – it’s hard to name just one most enjoyable moment of the trip. 🙂

Which were the highlights of the lessons, cultural excursions and outdoor activities?

The variety of activities provided during excursions or outdoor activities was probably the highlight of my trip as I could explore a completely different culture than mine. The highlights of the lessons was seeing the children wanting to learn English as they could see that’s the only way to communicate with me and other English/American teachers. I hope this will last with them for a long time so that they will continue their studying in the future.

How would you say the overall experience has benefited you?

I could definitely develop my teaching skills as I have never taught English anyone else than from my country – so whenever I had to I could explain things in my mother tongue. In China I found myself in a different teaching environment though and that was definitely an experience I’ll never forget.

What was the best thing about your experience in China?

The best thing about my experience in China was definitely getting close with Chinese students and making friends with Chinese teachers, even though our cultures differ a lot, but I am glad that I could experience this all by myself.

Would you recommend participating to a friend and if so why?

I would definitely recommend participating to a friend (and already did) because teaching in countries like China is a truly rewarding experience I’ll remember for my whole life.