Staff Interview with Lisa Lv

What about Wanderlust Exchange made you excited to join their team?

As a translation student and fan of intercultural communication, Wanderlust provides me with a platform where I believe that I can create value from my knowledge and interest.

Describe your typical tasks and responsibilities as the Program Coordinator.

I play a coordinating role between au pairs and host families. Once on site, I pick up au pairs at the airport.During their stay I plan and carry out cultural immersion activities on a monthly basis and make weekly follow-up calls to both host families and au pairs. I also love being able to take au pairs for sightseeing and deliver orientation to new au pairs upon their arrival, too.

How do you support participants and make sure programs are what they are looking for?

Before they come to China, I’d answer every question that they have about our program and assist them with visa application. Upon their arrival in China, I’d pick them up at the airport with a welcome pack, give them orientation course, and take them for sightseeing. After that, I’d follow up with them on a weekly basis and help them solve problems that they encounter.

What qualities make a successful participant with Wanderlust Exchange participants?

As the main job for Wanderlust Exchange participants are teaching their host kids English—loving kids should be the priority. Beyond that, kids are usually naughty, if au pairs and volunteers are not patient, they’ll not be able to do a good job. And lastly, a sense of responsibility can help participants earn families’ trust.

If you could participate on any Wanderlust Exchange program, which would it be and why?

It’d be Wanderlust Au Pair China Program, because with top-notch service, it can give everything that I want from a cultural exchange experience. The families are very nice and welcoming, and some of them take au pairs to travel around China or even around the world, which could help me get to experience more about Chinese culture and other cultures.

How do your own experiences with working for an American company in Shanghai and studying English-Chinese Translation influence your work today?

Working for that American company taught me the importance of team spirit. And studying English-Chinese Translation enables me to communicate with au pairs in English freely, which is a huge help in my position and making the au pairs feel comfortable throughout their stay.

Why is it important for individuals to travel and experience cultural exchange?

By traveling and experiencing cultural exchange, people will become more open and tolerant, and their horizons will be expanded.

What are some of the biggest challenges people face when learning a new language and how would you recommend overcoming those challenges?

Students often struggle with grammar, pronunciation, and actually speaking the language. Reading novels and the news, watching TV shows, and practicing oral language on a daily basis really help.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Travel that expands my horizon and enlightens my life—which means having unique experiences that bring me closer to the country I’m visiting—coming face to face with new cultures and meeting entirely new people with a completely different view of the world.

What hopes do you have for the future of Wanderlust Exchange?

I sincerely hope that Wanderlust Exchange will become better, help more children to grow, and change more people’s lives.

What is your favorite part of interacting with and Wanderlust participants?

My favorite part is facilitating sightseeing trips with au pairs and volunteers, because on one side, I feel very proud to take them to see all those famous attractions in China, and on the other side, we usually talk a lot during the sightseeing. So I not only get to know more about them and their cultures, but I also have an opportunity to practice my oral English.

Can you tell us about some of the culturally immersive activities that you facilitate monthly?

We provide various cultural activities for the participants such as tea ceremony, Chinese Kung fu, Chinese cooking classes, making pottery, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, and so on.

Where is your favorite place to bring Wanderlust participants?

The Bond. It is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai. The most famous and attractive sight which is at the west side of the Bund are the 26 various buildings of different architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classicism, and the Renaissance. I went to the Bond the first time when I came to Shanghai, and I was impressed by its beautiful scenery, so I hope Wanderlust au pairs and volunteers can start their adventures from a gorgeous place.

What are common questions participants have about Wanderlust programs before they set off for their au pair experience?

They’re usually curious about things like: Where the host families live in; How long they have to work per day; How much pocket money do they get every month; How many hours does the mandarin class last; and Will Wanderlust cover their insurances? We do our best to make sure their questions are answered and that they are prepared for their stay with us on program.