What inspired you to travel abroad?
As soon as I saw the advertisement: "Teach English in China," it immediately caught my attention. I thought about it and realised that I had always wanted to go abroad, but I didn’t know where or how. So, I took a chance and registered with Wanderlust Exchange in China.
That decision changed my life completely. I had a memorable and treasured experience there. Presently, China still draws me in with its opportunities, and I’m planning to go back next year in 2025!
Why did you choose Wanderlust Exchange?
I chose the Wanderlust Exchange organisation because they provided significant and helpful information on their website. They also included extra details about other programmes, tips, checklists, and experiences from tutors in the Teach English (Homestay) programme.
Another reason is that I was looking for a teaching opportunity that didn’t involve working with too many children all at once. Luckily, I found this programme, which was just the right fit for me.
First time in the city center, the CBD
What was your favorite part about Beijing, China?
Personally, I think Beijing offers many opportunities for foreigners to explore history, cultural attractions, events, and food. I really enjoyed that, especially since I never knew much about China's lifestyle and history before.
Now I’m grateful and excited to keep learning more! I also think the climate in Beijing was great. I got to experience snow for the first time in my life!
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Three things:
- I got to help improve a child's English—speaking, writing, listening, and reading—and finally saw her progress at the end, knowing that she was happy.
- I spent time with new people and my host family, whether we were at home, in the city, or on holiday.
- I learned more about China's traditions, history, language, and beauty.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
They kept me informed throughout the entire process, starting with an orientation and then contacting me weekly. They assisted, encouraged, and supported me every step of the way.
They would go out of their way to make sure the experience ran smoothly and that both the tutor and host family were happy with the cultural exchange.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Paying more attention to learning Mandarin.
Knowing how to speak Chinese really helped with communication, especially with my host family when they didn’t understand something in English. It was quite hard in the beginning, but eventually, I started to understand how to communicate and began recognising a few characters.
Speaking and listening are still a challenge for me, but honestly, that just motivates me to learn even more.
At Dunhuang, I witnessed spectacular views, breathtaking cultural scenery, and amazing people
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I woke up at 6:40, got ready, and went downstairs to enjoy a nice breakfast with the host family. We’d casually chat for a bit, then I’d say goodbye and head to the college where I had a three-hour Chinese/Mandarin lesson.
After the lesson, I’d grab a quick lunch with one of my classmates. Then I’d go with the host mom to pick up the child from school. (Sometimes she had extracurricular lessons afterward, which I would attend with her.)
Once at home, we’d play for a few minutes. Then I’d help her with homework, followed by a few of my prepared English lessons.
After that, we’d play until dinner. We’d all sit together and enjoy a lovely meal. Then we’d go upstairs to wash up. I’d read her a bedtime story, and once she was asleep, I’d go to my room to do my Mandarin homework and review. Then I’d go to bed, ending my day.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Trying new traditional Chinese dishes or enjoying my favourites like hotpots, beef noodles, dumplings, and much more.
I liked going out with classmates to visit places of interest like hutongs, museums, temples, shopping malls, and parks. And when I wanted some alone time, I’d go to one of my favourite coffee shops, have a milk tea, and treat myself to a sweet dessert. Because sometimes, you just need it!
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived with my host family in a three-story house located in Shunyi, Beijing. The house was beautiful and always clean. I kept my own room tidy, and there was also a nanny who cooked and cleaned the rest of the house.
What I liked best about living there was that the family had two cats as pets—I really liked them. Overall, the house was big and comfortable, with a small garden.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
This programme is beneficial and meaningful for anyone who wants to explore China while teaching English and living with a Chinese host family.
It’s a cultural exchange programme, so you get to share your own culture while learning about theirs. This helps with communication, building trust, and developing a mutual understanding of each other’s traditions.
It’s well-suited for young people who want to travel, meet new people, learn new things, and try one-on-one teaching, especially if they’re considering a future in education.
I took this picture at one of the parks in Beijing.
Would you recommend Wanderlust Exchange to others? Why?
Yes, absolutely. This organisation was always willing to help and answer my questions. They made sure both me and my host family were happy throughout the experience.
I want to inspire people to do what they love and believe in themselves. We all have doubts, not just about ourselves but also about the future. All you have to do is make a decision and make the best of what comes next.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
For me, one of the biggest benefits was not having to pay for plane tickets, hotel reservations, or food, since I stayed with a host family.
Sometimes, while we were on holiday, they’d also give me free time. I’d just go to a nearby coffee shop, have a boba tea, and some snacks.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I was part of the tutoring programme for a year, and I got so used to the lifestyle and daily habits that I felt like a completely different person when I returned home.
Now I drink hot water every day, eat almost all my meals with chopsticks, and can read and recognize Chinese characters in movies or on product packaging, which is really helpful.
But most importantly, this experience made me realise how important education, tradition, optimism, and socializing are.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is when you go somewhere to find something you don’t already have, something that changes you in a good way. It makes you realise that some things are bigger than yourself.
This experience was a meaningful travel for me. I got to have a smart and kind little sister, see different places in China, engage in cultural activities, learn a new language, and help someone achieve their goals.
That is not only meaningful, but memorable.
