What inspired you to work for Omeida Chinese Academy?
The working environment is very friendly here, which allows you to optimize your creativity and passion about your work. You don't need to worry about the relation between colleagues but focus on the work and you will get support from your colleagues.
Students graduation.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Teaching is an art. Good teachers are artists. There is no skill which suits all students, you always need to find a way to enlighten your current students. This makes the job not boring at all. I really enjoy showing the essence to students so as to help them to have a better understanding of Chinese language and culture. Also, I enjoy sharing my experience with teachers so they will find this job fun and meaningful.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
When I teach, I need to find the best way to convey the Chinese knowledge and culture to students. When I supervise, I need to talk to many students and teachers, so English is a must. Besides, better knowledge of different cultures is also required. Eight years of experience in this field gives me an open mind which is ready for different opinions and potential changes.
Students and teachers having dinner together.
What are some current projects you are working on?
Beside the current comprehensive course we have, we are planning to design some other courses that could solve more students questions and problems during their Chinese study. We want to give more solutions to assist students in accelerating their study.
What makes Omeida Chinese Academy special?
An immersing language community is how students describe us. You have massive exposure to Chinese people here. Different from big cities, local people here are very friendly and willing to talk to foreigners. School can also introduce you to a Chinese buddy who you can hang out with, so you will have a closer perspective on Chinese.
What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?
Our motto is "Help others, help yourself." We hope that in the future we could help more students to use the language freely and understand the country and people.
A Summer Camp Group Photo
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
We hope that after students study here, they can use this language more freely or build a concept about China, or break down some stereotypes. We also hope that what they get here is not only knowledge but also a great experience of friendship and love. And that's why many students call Omeida "Homeida."
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Before they come, they will have questions like how many students will be in the class and the answer would be a maximum of six. When they are here, they probably will ask if they can buy some books here, and the answer will also be a yes. We have textbooks and some reading materials. If students would like to buy them, they are available.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Different cultures will enrich your life experience, and in order to experience a different culture, the best way is to go to the country and tell the difference yourself. I usually ask students that if you find China different from what you think before you came? And the answer is normally yes. When I ask what you find different, students from different backgrounds will give me different answers. You should come and find your answer.
Staff's team building trip.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Open your eyes to see more, open your mouth to ask more, lower yourself to accept more. Be ready for different things and stay open minded. It is something unexpected that makes your trip more colorful and unforgettable.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
There is a saying that travel is going from where you feel bored to somewhere other people feel bored. But I would interpret it into that travel can help you to enlarge your boundary.
What hopes do you have for the future of international education?
Education is a dynamic process that you should always find a way to make the class interesting and effective. I believe there are many skills we can learn from each other and I hope students can get benefit from teachers improving as well.
