Teach Abroad for 1 Year in China

first ever au program for me went so well and smooth, no complaints, the agency really helped me with all documentation and organization and have been super supportive all the way through. i am so happy i decided to join masons au pair and not any other agency. the community is so friendly and warm, found a lot of international friends!! loved the whole atmosphere of the city, it is super safe and convenient. the prices are repetitively low. thank for this wonderful experience that really helped me to evaluate many skills. would 100% highly recommend!!!!!!!!!

SIE have given me great support in all aspects; from organising documents prior to arriving in China, to support during the arrival process and further support with any assistance I have needed during my time in China. Their support allows teachers to focus on both teaching and enjoying their free time, resulting in a great experience with a good work-life balance.

I spent a full year in China through Mason's Au Pair Agency and their au pair program. During that time, I had the opportunity to travel to Shanghai, Beijing, Lanzhou, Chongqing, Jiuzhaigou, Zigong, and many smaller cities around Chengdu. The agency also organized monthly events where all of us could get together, spend time together, build friendships, and meet people from different countries. I made some amazing friends and got to try so many delicious foods. The agency was always supportive of my choices and boundaries and helped me throughout my entire stay. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend!

I spent four months in China through Masons Au Pair Agency, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. They were amazing every step of the way — from helping me prepare for the journey to supporting me throughout my time in China whenever I needed anything at all. I met wonderful people, got to experience what it's like living on a completely different continent, and immersed myself in Chinese culture in a way I never expected. It was such a rewarding and eye-opening experience that I genuinely don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to try it. I don't regret going on this program at all — if anything, my only regret is not finding out about it sooner.

I began my teaching journey in China a year ago. I feel very lucky to have found SIE. They have been reliable and very supportive through my entire experience in China. They have come through for me in difficult situations. Looking back, I would never have wanted to take on this adventure without them.

After delaying it for a few years due to COVID and university studies, I finally decided to take a gap year to be an Au Pair… in China! Now, after 7 months of experience, I can finally sit down and explain what makes being an Au Pair such a great choice — and especially why doing it through Masons Au Pair Agency was the best decision I could have made. At the end of August 2025, I started researching agencies and came across many different options. Initially, I wanted to find one with placements in Hangzhou, but I soon realized that those large agencies managing programs across many cities don’t really take your preferences or interests into consideration. Most of them only ask for a quick 10‑minute call where they repeat information already written in their messages, and immediately start looking for a host family without considering what you actually want — such as the number of children, location preferences, or your personal interests. Masons Au Pair stood out right away. Their replies were fast, and within a couple of days we scheduled a long, detailed video call. During that conversation, I got to know the agency properly, and they got to know me. They immediately started thinking about families that matched my personality and needs, and were completely honest and straightforward about both the positives and possible downsides of each option — for example, things like how far the house was from the school. Everything moved quite smoothly: in less than two months I had collected all paperwork and obtained my visa. I only waited to wrap up some commitments at home before flying over to Chengdu. Jason and Nadya picked me up directly at the airport. For the first two days, I stayed at a hotel while they guided me through everything I needed to know for daily life: how to use apps like Meituan and Taobao, rent shared bikes, or pay with QR codes everywhere. They also gave me practical training and advice on teaching English to children, as well as how to navigate misunderstandings or differences coming from different cultures. Since the agency office is right next door to their Chinese language school, I quickly met other au pairs and students. My fear of struggling to meet people or build a social circle disappeared very fast! I am happy to say I built meaningful friendships with both foreigners and locals, bonds that will last long after my leave. Beyond the support I found among friends, the agency itself was always there. Whenever I needed help, they were just a message or call away — day or night. I got sick a few times during my stay, and every single time they stepped in immediately to help me sort things out. I truly always felt safe, supported, and never alone. Then there is Chengdu itself — a city that completely won me over. People here are warm, kind, and welcoming; daily life is comfortable and easy to get used to; and not to mention the highlights: Taobao, Meituan, the endless bubble tea shops, and how affordable everything feels compared to back home in Italy. When I first started looking, I was drawn to Chengdu, but I seriously considered famous coastal cities like Shanghai or Shenzhen instead. I thought living near the sea would be better for me. But looking back, I am so happy I ended up exactly here — it turned out to be the perfect choice! Chengdu balances modernity and history perfectly: you have all the convenience and services you could wish for, yet tradition and heritage are still visible everywhere. It is also an amazing base for traveling — you are very close to places like the Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, and many other fascinating towns and natural sites across Sichuan. I also love how distinct this region feels. China is such a vast country, and Sichuan has its own unique culture, history, and character that sets it apart from other parts of the country. Masons Au Pair works with many different families, so every experience will be different and personal. I myself changed host families after three months, and I was even happier with my second placement — so much so that I am still in close contact with them and planning to visit very soon. I think this flexibility and care is what truly sets this agency apart, or makes going through an agency better than arranging things privately: with Masons, you will never find yourself abandoned or left alone in a foreign country. Overall, if I were to embark on such a big adventure on the other side of the world all over again, I would make sure to choose an agency that is truly reliable, transparent — and I really mean it, there are absolutely no hidden costs — and friendly. Luckily for me, I found exactly that right from the start in Masons Au Pair Agency. P.S. Be careful! Jason and Nadya, as well as the teachers at the language school, are so friendly and easygoing that you will probably end up becoming friends with them during your stay!

I have been teaching in China for a year and a half now, and my experience has been very positive. SIE played a key role in making this journey smooth and successful. SIE was extremely helpful in all aspects of the process, from my initial application to settling into my teaching position. One area where SIE truly stood out was their support with documentation. They guided me step by step through all the required paperwork, visas, and procedures, making what could have been a stressful process feel clear and manageable. Throughout my time teaching in China, SIE has remained supportive, professional, and responsive whenever I needed assistance or advice. Thanks to their help, I was able to focus on my teaching and enjoy living and working in China with confidence and peace of mind. I am very grateful for the support I received from SIE and would gladly recommend them to anyone considering teaching in China.

Hyper-fixation to reality in less than 3 months. I found out about au pair opportunities in China last summer while doomscrolling on TikTok at 5AM; in a moment of intense confusion all I wanted was to quit my job and leave Rome after years of not loving it anymore. Infatuation got real, and I started getting in touch with various agencies around China. Most of them were average at best in terms of communication and social media presence, but then there was Masons Au Pair... Their website and Instagram account were far more intuitive, transparent (!!!) and aesthetically pleasing than any of their competitors', a massive green flag from the get-go. I then contacted them and they got back to me in no time, promptly scheduling an interview that also included a personality test. Their recruitment process is rather thorough and they really want to make sure they create the best possible match for both their au pairs and their partner host families. Rematches are very much possible and happening, so worry not! I was lucky enough to find a host family relatively quickly and we agreed to collaborate shortly after. The agency then took care of my flights, booking them upfront (another positive aspect that sets them apart from other providers) and helped me out with all the documentation needed for the X2 Visa. Less than three months later, I was landing in Chengdu, ready to meet Jason and Nadya and start my two-day orientation and training period. Hotel accommodation, local meals and experiences were also provided and very much appreciated. The first impression was honestly impeccable and I felt like I was in good hands. On day three I was introduced to my host family and instantly adored my two little host brothers. I spent 7 eventful months with them (a 6-month contract, and a 1-month extension) and they really made sure I had everything throughout my program. I was fortunate enough to travel around China quite a bit, having visited major cities like Chongqing, Xi'an, Wuhan, Changsha, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Sanya. I spent two beautiful weeks on the coast of Hainan with my host family, celebrating Christmas and New Years under the coconut trees for the first time in my life. During my time spent with the host family I jumped head-first into Chinese culture, cuisine, and mannerisms. I always tell people that this experience has been one of the greatest "social experiments" of my life, having witnessed all sorts of family dynamics over those 7 months. This being said, it hasn't always been fun 'n games, so I'd definitely encourage future au pairs to expect miscommunication at times, cultural differences on a daily basis and very long, demanding hours on the weekends and whenever the kids don't attend school. Thankfully, I have made lifelong friends that quickly became my support network when in need. Masons Au Pair exclusively operates in Chengdu, which guarantees connection with everyone in the same boat with you (the other au pairs) and proximity to the agency if any issues arise. Big shoutout and thank you to Jason and Nadya for everything they've done for me throughout my stay. Thanks for bearing with me and listening to my rants every now and then. Forever going to remember and cherish this side quest. P.S. Do not despair if you're a guy in your late 20s!!! It is entirely possible for you to become an au pair. A lot of families would rather work with someone that has already had some life experience and bro pairs (male au pairs) are totally a thing, contrary to popular belief.

SIE is great. They found an amazing school for me and helped me every step of the way to start my life in China. Whenever I need something I just send a message to Yuki or Lena and they always personally help out or provide helpful advice. SIE is always there to support you, whatever issues or change of circumstances occur they will have your back and go above and beyond to assist you.

I am so glad to have found SIE when coming to China one year ago! Having the support and help when navigating a new country and culture has been incredibly helpful and i can’t imagine having done it without them. Thanks to SIE for helping me find a job I like and supporting me through the process!

My current title is Academic director, I have been teaching here in China for 8 years, and the last 6 years have been with SIE. Living in China is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It has been nothing less than an amazing experience. I first lived in Shenzhen for 2 years and then moved to Guangzhou for these 6 years. Shenzhen is a modern metropolis and if you’re interested in a fast-paced city then that is the place for you. Guangzhou is a more historical and culturally fascinating city. It’s still a vibrant city like Shenzhen, but if you are about traditional commodities like food and customs, then Guangzhou is more suitable. I began my teaching journey straight after finishing university. My degree is in English Literature which helped me secure a position at a primary school as a teaching assistant. I was given an abundance of varied responsibilities such as coordinating advanced level programs for higher level students to support with 11+ examinations to establishing and guiding support programs for lower level students. I quickly progressed to teacher status, giving myself plenty of experience in education. I stayed at this school for 5 years until I made the decision to move to China to develop and enhance my teaching career further. When I arrived to China in 2018, I was working for another agency at the time. After 2 years, I was looking for a change. I heard of SIE through friends which recommended it to me and as I valued their opinions, their positive comments were reassuring. I started as an ESL teacher in a middle school for a year. After the initial year and my previous experience, SIE given me the opportunity to become an academic director and to take charge of a new bilingual school in Guangzhou. I have now been at the school for 5 years, helping to build the reputation and maintain high standards within the institute. Being an ESL teacher is the vital foundation needed in order to progress. I was lucky to have quite a few years of experience in different countries to build my teaching experience. I learnt many valuable skills and techniques working in different environments. It’s crucial to have gone through the ESL teacher process to be an effective academic director. It was a natural and smooth transition to become academic director as I just used my existing skillset and applied them to the new role. As academic director, I still teach and develop my teaching skills every day. This is useful when directing the team as I am aware of the teaching environment in the school and can give guidance where needed. Being aware of the workload as an ESL teacher, I was able to adjust my time management to fit in the additional responsibilities that the new role requires. Working in different educational environments has given me experience working with many different people, useful when wanting to effectively lead and guide a team. The institution is new and has a small group of 4 foreign teachers. As the school is expanding and more teachers join the team every year. My main responsibilities include managing the foreign teachers, making sure they are maintaining teaching standards, according to school regulations and protocols, and guiding and advising the team when needed. I am the main point of contact for the school, so I am responsible for relaying information back and forth to the foreign teachers. I also handle any questions the school or teachers may have. I organize lesson observations and give feedback on a monthly basis to ensure school standards are upheld. I also attend meetings and keep up to date on daily school briefings. I coordinate with the school to help promote school demo classes and open days. Also, I work closely with the school’s management team to establish an unique and effective curriculum for the foreign teachers. SIE has given me lots of opportunities teaching in many different educational institutes. SIE gave me a kindergarten summer camp position, ESL teacher position in a public school, teacher training sessions, teacher observations amongst other things. This led myself to gain enough knowledge to be suitable for academic director. SIE saw this and thus gave me the opportunity. I am grateful to SIE for seeing the potential in their employees and giving them the chance to excel and thrive in their field. They have connections with the educational bureau and government entities which help organize teaching events and give valuable guidance. SIE is always willing to provide support when needed. SIE management team is friendly and readily available to help. They are very experienced and knowledgeable about all aspects of teaching in China.

Throughout my time in China, SIE have offered strong support, particularly during my initial arrival. They would assist me with accommodation, visa processes and various day-to-day challenges, always providing guidance when I was unsure how to proceed. Their teacher training and ongoing support helped make the transition into both teaching and living in China much smoother.

Greetings my name is Jorge from the United States. I have had the privilege of teaching English in China for over 11 years, working closely with children of all ages and language levels. Throughout my time living and working in China, I have gained a deep appreciation for the culture, the students, and the passion that young learners bring into the classroom every day. During my teaching journey, I have worked with a variety of schools and programs, but my experience with SIE over the past three years has truly been the most rewarding and fulfilling. SIE stands out as an organization that genuinely values both its teachers and its students. The academic support, professional environment, and strong sense of community have made teaching not just a job, but a meaningful and enjoyable experience. Working with children has always been at the heart of my teaching philosophy. I strive to create engaging, supportive, and energetic lessons that help students build confidence, develop strong communication skills, and enjoy learning English. Seeing students grow—from shy beginners to confident speakers—is the most rewarding part of my work, and SIE provides the ideal environment for that growth to happen. After more than a decade of teaching in China, I can confidently say that my time at SIE has been the highlight of my career here. It represents the best of what teaching and living in China can offer: professional growth, cultural exchange, and the joy of helping young learners succeed.

Hello! My name is Jessica, and for the past four years, SIE has been the reason my husband and I have been able to build a wonderful life here in China. It started when they guided us through the visa process during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because of that solid start, we were both set up with great teaching jobs at well-known high schools in Guangzhou. Since then, my career has really grown. I am currently in my 4th year, and in that time, I’ve gained expertise teaching AP Psychology, AP English Language, Literature, and test prep courses like TOEFL and IELTS. I’ve helped students prepare for everything from speech competitions to research essays, and I’m so proud of the relationships I’ve formed with students, many of whom have gone on to top universities. With SIE’s ongoing support, I was even able to earn my PGCE while working full-time. I absolutely love my life here and hope to stay for a long time. Looking back, none of the career advancement, the qualifications, or the amazing experience would have been possible without SIE’s help from the very beginning.

Honestly, it’s been the greatest adventure of my life. And I’ve gotta say, the whole amazing crew at SIE, have been a huge part of why it’s been so amazing. It’s wild to think I only landed here a year and a half ago. I had no idea how much this place would just click. Right from day one, SIE was there to help me figure everything out with all the tricky stuff that comes with moving to the other side of the world. They didn’t just find me a job; they really helped me get settled, bridging that gap between my old life and my new one, both culturally and professionally. What’s so nice about teaching here is how much everyone encourages and helps, but without all the pressure. The support is just there. And the fun stuff? I’ve gotten to do it all: help coach the school football team, play in a local Chinese football league, and join in many events with other expats.

I have spent almost half of the last year, when I took a gap year, a well-needed break from my uni studies, living as an aupair in Chengdu, where I ended up in the early spring as a result of getting in contact with Masons. Having many different locations and accommodations in my mind before connecting with them, I have never thought about spending my gap year in China, it just simply was not on my radar. Still, thankfully, I seized a great opportunity! It is owed to the great care and support I have received from the agency and the other au pairs with whom I have made great friendships while we studied Mandarin together in classes that are conveniently located in the closest proximity to the office that the agency holds, that I have had one of the best experiences I could hope for, as I found a new home away from home - a safe and reliable community is the reason I still hold many beautiful memories of my time there. An understatement would be to say that I got help with the necessity of arranging my travel and arrival beforehand, regarding my visa and flight tickets, as the support persisted throughout my whole stay, be it problems with the VPN or getting some medicine and visiting a doctor. I have returned to pay a visit to the host family, friends from the agency, and the city around the time of the Chinese New Year celebration, and I was greeted with such a lovely welcome and hospitality. The experience shaped me in ways I did not expect, and the people I can now consider very dear. As of now, I do not know when my next travel will be, but I am already looking forward to the summer, as my host family is planning a trip to Europe, and then we will meet again, and they will be able to see what I mean when I say I miss the Sichuan spice, 麻婆豆腐 and 汤圆.

I got the amazing opportunity to travel to China in 2024. It was such a magical experience from the recruitment process to saying goodbyes Mason's Aupair were there every step of the way and I had the support of my amazing host family too . I got to experience that vibrant culture of Chengdu with all of my amazing foreign friends . I loved every moment there .

I had a host family with an 8y.o. girl who could speak English quite well. My relationship with the host parents was also good, they were open to communication and always ready to help when I needed it. The whole matching process took around 2,5 months. The agency asked me about my preferences, explained the positive and challenging parts of the family before I joined them, and went through the contract and schedule with me. They also assisted with my visa application. Sometimes we had lunch together after Chinese classes with the agency staff, which was really nice. I always felt comfortable communicating with the agency, so I’m happy I had this experience.

I spent 6 months in China as an Au Pair with Masons Au Pair agency, and I'm happy I took this chance. From the very start they made everything feel easy and well-organized, especially the visa process and matching me with my host family. Living with them gave me a real insight into daily life in China. The asian way of household and education is very different compare to my country, so I learned a lot of new things. I really like my host kids even though sometimes they were a bit too energetic and I'm not this young anymore haha I improved my Chinese and gained a deeper understanding of the culture. Whenever I had questions or needed support, the agency was always there to help, so I'm really grateful for their support. Overall, this experience helped me grow in confidence and independence, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something unique and enriching. China is the best!

I spent five months in China as an Au Pair, and it was a really meaningful experience. Masons Au Pair Agency supported me throughout the process, from finding a host family to settling into a new environment. Living in China helped me become more independent, improve my Chinese, and better understand the culture. I also met people from different countries and created great memories. I’m very grateful for this experience and would recommend it to anyone looking for something new.