Stepping Stones

Working with Stepping Stones as an English volunteer teaching was for me an unforgettable experience. I had the chance to teach in Shanghai but also in Luyi, Henan province for three weeks. It was an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience. Working with young children, I had a genuinely hands-on experience that pushed me toward real professional growth. It was a true cross-cultural exchange, both challenging and satisfying. I enjoyed every moment of it !

It took me a while to find the volunteer work I was hoping for, until I found Stepping Stones. What a find! From the beginning to the end of my experience, everything went smoothly and I must thank Stepping Stones for that. Especially Hao, Tianning, Nova and Sherry. I believe that when you decide to volunteer you want to make the most of your available time. You want to work, you want to experience, you want to exchange. During my days in Guangde, Anhui Province, I did all of that and much more. I was warmly welcomed by everyone and I will greatly miss the kids energy and affection. In the end, I was the one that received the most. What a meaningful journey!

I taught for about a month near Hongmei in Fujian China. It was an amazing experience, incredibly valuable. I felt I was welcomed into the community and everyone went out of there way to make sure I didn't feel alone as I was the only native English speaker. My mandarin was pretty shaky (HSK 3/4) but enough to understand what was going on and communication for the most part, and there were a few people who could speak English so that was nice. There were definitely some cultural aspects I had to get used to in terms of teaching and communication, but none of my mistakes were held against me. The teaching program was very structured if you wanted it to be (all teaching resources and slide shows where provided) but they also gave you the freedom to not use them and go your own way (more what I chose to do)

In late 2023 I set foot in the Chinese countryside for the first time, partnering with Stepping Stones on a volunteer mission across Henan and Shaanxi. As a Chinese American, this experience was deeply personal and eye-opening. It connected me to my heritage while giving me the chance to support something I am passionate about: providing access to quality education. I had the privilege of working with dedicated individuals to help children in rural communities gain the tools and knowledge they need to shape their futures. Education has the power to transform lives, and supporting rural education is one of the most effective ways to uplift and revitalize communities. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for this journey. It reinforced my belief in the importance of equitable education and the role it plays in creating lasting change. For anyone seeking ways to give back, initiatives like this are a great place to start—you won’t just give back, you will grow.

“I didn’t really know what to expect or didn’t really think much of what I should expect. I was surprised with Henan. You can still feel traditions you can’t easily grasp in the big cities. People are friendly, open and very curious. Our students were always playing with huge bugs, which made me smile a lot.”

“The training I received beforehand really helped me. I was feeling kind of nervous because it was the first time for me to ever teach children, let alone teach children English in a foreign country. But during the training I was given tips to help me make the children behave, ideas about games I could play during class. It brought me a lot of joy and also a sense of pride when students could answer my questions, especially when I tested them by asking somewhat difficult questions.”

“I learned how to deal with kids. Before I always thought they are annoying, but now I find them cute and smart. For the kids, I think it’s good for them to have a relaxing learning environment and a friendly teacher, because they are too stressed out at school… The highlight was on the last day when a student asked us if we could come next year. That was when I felt I succeeded as a teacher. ”

“Volunteering with EGRC and Stepping Stones allowed me to see firsthand the transformational and life-changing value of education. I had a fantastic time and experience and would highly recommend it to anyone considering it!”

“I experienced how much power a teacher could have over his/her students so that being a teacher implies great responsibility. I want to dedicate myself to the education sector in the future.” - Stepping Stones' Rural Program, Yuzhong, Gansu

“If you are considering taking part in a Volunteer Placement with Stepping Stones, definitely do it! The experience will offer a completely new view on China, give you the chance to make a very real difference to the lives of ambitious students, and be one of the most rewarding and inspirational things you do.”

“I think this trip exceeded my expectations, and definitely expanded my views on what is considered “rural,” in China, and also opened my eyes to the education system in rural areas. Honestly, before leaving on the trip, I was apprehensive about the environment and what awaited me in Taohuajiang. What did I get myself into, signing up for rural volunteering? What would the kids be like? What were their English levels? What were the teachers like? By the end of my first week in Taohuajiang, I felt more comfortable both in the town and at the school, which was aided by the wonderful teachers and students at the school. Furthermore, my experience really opened my eyes to the differences between the education systems between more urban and rural areas, allowing me to see how much more support those in rural areas need.”

Stepping Stones allows volunteers to enjoy an enriching experience with children from rural China and to explore the difference between Chinese cities. I learned to prepare a course, explain and teach it to the students.”

Stepping Stones allows volunteers to enjoy an enriching experience with children from rural China and to explore the difference between Chinese cities. I learned to prepare a course, explain and teach it to the students.”

“I think this trip exceeded my expectations, and definitely expanded my views on what is considered “rural,” in China, and also opened my eyes to the education system in rural areas. Honestly, before leaving on the trip, I was apprehensive about the environment and what awaited me in Taohuajiang. What did I get myself into, signing up for rural volunteering? What would the kids be like? What were their English levels? What were the teachers like? By the end of my first week in Taohuajiang, I felt more comfortable both in the town and at the school, which was aided by the wonderful teachers and students at the school. Furthermore, my experience really opened my eyes to the differences between the education systems between more urban and rural areas, allowing me to see how much more support those in rural areas need.”

“This is Stepping Stones’ fourth year partnering with Houzhai Public Welfare Library to provide volunteer teachers. The volunteer teacher interacted tremendously well with the students and taught them through experience that English was a vocal cord muscle exercise which could help students learn to speak confidently. We could clearly see progress in the students’ speaking ability in the second week, from the students’ original awkward stutters and evasive postures to almost fluency and confidence with simple and common phrases. New confident smiles on the kids’ faces were proof of the gain in their knowledge.”