Alumni Interview with Thomas Apthorp

What inspired you to travel abroad?

The opportunity to learn Chinese indulged my fondness for learning languages, and Chinese was unlike any language I had studied before in many ways. Some of my family also speak Chinese natively and so this was a meaningful and important step in appreciating this part of myself and language is a crucial avenue to understanding any foreign culture. Going abroad also came at an important time in my life, in between graduating from university and starting work, and I am unsure as to when the next time I can travel for such a long period of time will be. Finally, China has long been on my list and was really the last significant country in East Asia left unvisited, so it did not take much convincing at all when a good friend approached me with the idea.

Why did you choose Omeida Chinese Academy?

A friend recommended Omeida Language Academy to us and the setting in Yangshuo was attractive from the start as we knew we didn’t want to stay in a big city for a long period of time. Access to and from Yangshuo, whilst not completely simple, turned out to be quite doable as well. Initially, the financial benefits of volunteering in assisting tuition and accommodation costs was a major pull. However, during the course, the real value of the volunteer program or even just the close proximity of the English school was important in helping to build a strong connection with the English students and enable casual conversation in both languages outside of class.

What was your favorite part about Yangshuo, China?

Yangshuo’s beautiful scenery is undeniable and from the very first morning to the last, I would marvel at the endless range of peaks surrounding us. Streets would end at the feet of impassable mountains. The city is not too big and over the two-month stay I grew to become very comfortable and familiar in an environment which catered well to my needs. Renting a bike or a scooter was very simple and really opened up both the city and the amazing scenery in the surrounding area. Day trips to various mountains and waterfalls count as some of the big highlights of my stay there. The people in the local area are also friendly and welcoming of the foreign students. 

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

No doubt it was the people who made my time in Yangshuo special. This includes the other students, teachers, and staff. Many of my best memories come from the endless conversations over a midnight snack of grilled aubergine, for example. Staff were extremely friendly and I would also count them among my friends. Furthermore, learning a language which could then be utilised immediately in a less formal environment was an extremely satisfying experience and lots of fun! Finally, the freedom afforded by travelling to focus on oneself was much appreciated throughout.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

Staff were invaluable in providing general guidance to living in Yangshuo and they were often on hand to solve any problems which arose, such as queries over changing my volunteering schedule. The same could be said for any visa questions or even while I was planning my onward travel from Yangshuo around China. While planning a trip to the Longji Rice Terraces, I was greatly assisted in arranging transport and tickets by a member of staff, making the whole trip much less taxing. More pertinent was the value they brought to building an enjoyable social environment on a daily basis.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

To be honest, I would be reluctant to change anything, especially in terms of attitude and approach. I thoroughly enjoyed my time and would hate to lose any of it! I’m sure some of the more minor details could be changed here or there, such as my choice of SIM card, a slightly healthier diet, or maybe more variety in my wardrobe! I’m also sure on further reflection there maybe more things I would have done differently but at the moment I really wouldn’t change much about my time in Yangshuo.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

Most of the day would be spent in class as I took intensive classes. This was approximately six hours. Anytime in between would be used for conversation with my language partners, volunteer work, and meals in the nearby area. In the evenings I would often go out or join whatever activities organised by friends or the school. This often meant I had to squeeze in time for homework at any opportunity I could. It was certainly fast paced but definitely not in a bad way. The weekends were a welcome reprieve. I would always try to join for the Saturday morning activity before taking the rest of the weekend slowly, perhaps catching up on things back home. 

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

No one activity was ever prioritised but I kept finding myself taking a motor-scooter and enjoying the scenery and a refreshing swim in either the Li or Yulong rivers. This could only take 30 minutes, often between the end of lessons and before dinner, but proved to be a joy. Going to West Street for some milk tea and send postcards around the world happened a few times. Otherwise, I would take any opportunity to climb one of the mountains inside the city, such as TV tower or explore further afield.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

I had a private single room with an en-suite bathroom. I did enjoy my privacy and the Western toilet. There was also a good-sized desk with plenty of natural sunlight where I could do my homework as well. Perhaps the best feature was the drinking water dispenser in the landing outside the room which saved many trips to shops or to the school. Laundry was also simple enough, with a machine on the top floor and a balcony to hang clothes to dry. All this being said, I didn’t spend that much time in my room, apart from at night.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

Before starting Omeida, one should be aware of quite how much time can be spent on volunteer work and classes. I initially started with two hours of volunteering before reducing it to one, simply because I had no time during the day to do other tasks and activities. I also had two language partners on top of this which proved to be a bit of a struggle to maintain consistently. The situation became noticeably easier after going to one hour and later, only have one language partner.

Would you recommend Omeida Chinese Academy to others? Why?

I would recommend it to others for the very simple reason that I myself enjoyed the program immensely. I’m sure the reasons will vary from person to person but I think there is a lot to appreciate from the close link to the English academy, the atmosphere of the school, and the beautiful setting. Yangshuo itself allows for a good amount of both exploration but also familiarity. Teachers and staff are typically accommodating and the teaching is good. When a problem is identified with the teaching, the impression I have is that they will do their best to work around you.

What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?

Travelling abroad necessarily takes you out of your comfort zone and, in a way, asks you questions which wouldn’t cross your mind back home. Your life and routine all change and you experience something new everyday. Even if you may prefer that familiarity in the end, I believe that the new perspective on your own life provided by travel is invaluable. The benefit of this is more often intangible than otherwise but is still very present. This is the core benefit but a program like this also provides more concrete benefits such as the ability to speak a new language and a platform to keep improving back home as well.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

Going abroad has also made me appreciate some of the things I have in my life back home, whether they be conveniences, such as understanding everything on street signs, or, more simply, an everyday ease which comes from spending a long time in one place. I have also found myself more motivated in many different aspects, such as work. Furthermore, I have kept friends from my time abroad, some also from London, but also around the world which I hope to keep in touch with. Most important are the new perspectives which have clarified or even just questioned certain parts of my life.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

For me, travelling has always been about approaching an unfamiliar world and life with a genuine curiosity and willingness to learn. It has always been fascinating to see how my own life and the prior experiences I’ve had affect the responses I have to new experiences abroad. Learning, whether through history, language, culture or just daily interactions how and why something is the way it is remains the fundamental cause of my travelling and it is the result of this curiosity which creates meaning in travel.