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| China Horizons Ltd. Co. is a Limited Liability Company. |
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| China Horizons Ltd. Co. is a Limited Liability Company. |
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| What an experience this has been. There's truly nothing like it! When we first arrived, our school was about nine hours late on picking us up from Shanghai. We were a little nervous because we didn't have a phone number for them, it was our first time being in China, and we didn't speak any of the language. They did eventually pick us up and the next few days were kind of the same. We didn't know what we were supposed to do; they hadn't given us a schedule and didn't do so until the night before we taught. When we got our schedule, we were informed that we would be teaching ages 2-18 instead of 12-16 like we'd been told. Things were a little bit rocky at the beginning and we were questioning ourselves as to what we had been thinking when we came to China. Home sickness definitely started creeping in the first few days. After we began teaching, we realized the purpose of our journey to China in the first place was to help the children learn English so they could have a better life and we could gain different experiences in the process. It turned out to be a blessing that we had all ages and not just ages 12-16. This age group is our toughest by far and we absolutely love the older and younger kids. The kindergartens (ages 2-6) are some of our favorite classes! They are so cute. We have a lot of free time and because we are in a tiny town, there isn't a whole lot to do. We have discovered that taking walks to different places is one of our new favorite pass times. The people are so wonderful to us and instead of getting mad when we walk through their field (like a lot of farmers in America do), they love it and almost feel honored to have a foreigner walking through their field! We love getting out and mingling with the people. Each time we do we are offered at least some sort of food and most of the time they just want us to come have dinner with them (even though we can't speak to much to them). We actually have a favorite fruit lady, as we call her; we go into her shop every couple weeks to buy a bunch of fruit and she is always so sweet to us and has never tried to rip us off. She lights up every time she sees us coming to her store again. This is just one example of the wonderful friends we enjoy making constantly. Everyone is your best friend even if you can't talk to them! The food was a little different and we had a little bit of difficulty getting used to it at the very beginning, but now we love most of the food. They have so many different kinds of vegetables, fruits, breads, and ways of cooking these that we have really come to love it! If you can get passed the way things look, or the fact that pigs and chicken feet are served so frequently, the food really is wonderful. At the beginning we didn't like a lot of the food, but after being here for a while we decided to retry a lot of it. We have come to love a lot of the foods we thought we hated at the beginning. We have definitely have taken all opportunity we can to travel. This has been one of the best decisions we've made since coming to China. China is full of different cultures and so much history! We never knew a 1/100th of what we now about China. Each area not only has different cultures, sights, and histories, but even the food is different in each place! We have had so many wonderful experiences while traveling and would definitely suggest to everyone that comes to take time and be willing to spend a little money to tour the different areas! There definitely will be times of homesickness; we haven't met anyone yet that can say they haven't been homesick from time to time. We've found that the best way to get out of these ruts is to emerge ourselves in the culture and to stay busy. We suggest bringing lots of books and other light projects. You will have lots of free time because you only teach 18-20 hours a week. If you are willing to get out and forget about a language barrier, the kids, teachers, and anyone else will always be happy to have you join them in their different activities. There will always be things that are hard to deal with in any new place, but if you give these places a chance and learn to live and think as they think, people from different cultures don't seem so alien anymore. They really are real people who think and act the same way we do! Over all we have really loved our China experience and would and will suggest it to anyone who is willing to get out of their comfort zone. We promise that if you have a good attitude and the right desire, you will be changed for the better! Terry Bitton and Sara Wiegman Tongcheng, Anhui, China Fall 2007 |
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China Horizons Website
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Why go to China?
I had no idea it would be the best, most fun learning experience of my life! It
was amazing. If I could sum it up in one word, I'd say Priceless.
It's a whole different world. You come to love their strange way of living, that
seems weird to us, but works for them. The food, the sights, the smells, the
feeling, the noise; I miss it all! More than anything I miss their faces. I miss
the sweet smiles of all my students, whom I will never forget. No matter what
age, they will teach you so much more than you will teach them. They will
teach you to be humble and kind; to be respectful and hardworking. They
will give you an enthusiasm for learning. They will give you a greater
appreciation for your own country and life. You will grow to love them.
Will it be easy? Yes, and at the same time, NO! It is very easy to grow to
love the people, but some of the experiences there can be tough. It is a
difficult and challenging vacation. It's an adventure. It's a journey.
Sometimes I'd feel inadequate and ineffective as a teacher, but then they'd
thank me for all that I was teaching them. Mostly we learned how to be
happy. We taught each other that.They showed me how blessed I was, and I
showed them how special they were.
I love and miss them so much, but I still get to talk to some of them through
email. I hope I can go back someday.
GO to China.
You will never forget this experience.
They will never forget you.
Here's an email from one of my students "Anna"...but she says, "Ama":
--------------
Dear Tricia
We feel as if you are still our side, it felt really wonderful.
Every day we almost always think you once. Can you feel it? Time flies
quickly, but we feel you are still around us. Students often mention you, that
they would like to see you again, but would like to know all of you in the
United States. We do hope that we can meet again. We hope that you and
your family can be happy. This is a very happy for us. I will tell my students
that you miss us very much! We will miss you very much!
Ama
Tricia Packer
Linyi, Shandong, China
Winter 2008
I had no idea it would be the best, most fun learning experience of my life! It
was amazing. If I could sum it up in one word, I'd say Priceless.
It's a whole different world. You come to love their strange way of living, that
seems weird to us, but works for them. The food, the sights, the smells, the
feeling, the noise; I miss it all! More than anything I miss their faces. I miss
the sweet smiles of all my students, whom I will never forget. No matter what
age, they will teach you so much more than you will teach them. They will
teach you to be humble and kind; to be respectful and hardworking. They
will give you an enthusiasm for learning. They will give you a greater
appreciation for your own country and life. You will grow to love them.
Will it be easy? Yes, and at the same time, NO! It is very easy to grow to
love the people, but some of the experiences there can be tough. It is a
difficult and challenging vacation. It's an adventure. It's a journey.
Sometimes I'd feel inadequate and ineffective as a teacher, but then they'd
thank me for all that I was teaching them. Mostly we learned how to be
happy. We taught each other that.They showed me how blessed I was, and I
showed them how special they were.
I love and miss them so much, but I still get to talk to some of them through
email. I hope I can go back someday.
GO to China.
You will never forget this experience.
They will never forget you.
Here's an email from one of my students "Anna"...but she says, "Ama":
--------------
Dear Tricia
We feel as if you are still our side, it felt really wonderful.
Every day we almost always think you once. Can you feel it? Time flies
quickly, but we feel you are still around us. Students often mention you, that
they would like to see you again, but would like to know all of you in the
United States. We do hope that we can meet again. We hope that you and
your family can be happy. This is a very happy for us. I will tell my students
that you miss us very much! We will miss you very much!
Ama
Tricia Packer
Linyi, Shandong, China
Winter 2008
For several years I had wanted to live in China. In 2007 I searched out a
few different agencies that helped send people to China to teach English.
Most of them looked pretty good, but I never got a great feeling from any of
them, until I found China Horizons. Everything they offered and represented
was exactly what I was looking for. Jacob just bent over backwards to help
me out and get me all ready to go to China. He was extremely personable
and was willing to do anything to help.
I taught at Anhui University in Hefei. I loved teaching my students. I was a
little apprehensive at first knowing I would be teaching college students, but
quickly found myself feeling right at home in the classroom. I made my
share of mistakes and had a few classes that didn’t go as planned, but the
students were just always so willing and excited to learn that all of those
potentially awkward situations were easily adverted. Teaching was fun, it
was exciting, and of course it took some work, but it was the best job I have
ever had, by far. The school treated me with a great deal of respect and did
literally everything they could to make sure I was happy, comfortable, and
satisfied.
My China experience was life changing. Living in China for six months
changed my life in so many ways. I think differently, I have more confidence,
I am more independent, and appreciative of life, just to name a few. Every
day I am reminded of something from China that has considerably changed
the way I look at life. I was also lucky enough to make so many amazing
friends. Friends I will keep in touch with for years to come.
I love China, and am so grateful I had the chance to spend time living there.
Being a teacher in China taught me far more than I ever was able to teach
any of my students. It was a memorable experience and is one of those
events that significantly helps define who I am!
Spencer A. Streeter
Hefei, Anhui, China
Winter 2008
few different agencies that helped send people to China to teach English.
Most of them looked pretty good, but I never got a great feeling from any of
them, until I found China Horizons. Everything they offered and represented
was exactly what I was looking for. Jacob just bent over backwards to help
me out and get me all ready to go to China. He was extremely personable
and was willing to do anything to help.
I taught at Anhui University in Hefei. I loved teaching my students. I was a
little apprehensive at first knowing I would be teaching college students, but
quickly found myself feeling right at home in the classroom. I made my
share of mistakes and had a few classes that didn’t go as planned, but the
students were just always so willing and excited to learn that all of those
potentially awkward situations were easily adverted. Teaching was fun, it
was exciting, and of course it took some work, but it was the best job I have
ever had, by far. The school treated me with a great deal of respect and did
literally everything they could to make sure I was happy, comfortable, and
satisfied.
My China experience was life changing. Living in China for six months
changed my life in so many ways. I think differently, I have more confidence,
I am more independent, and appreciative of life, just to name a few. Every
day I am reminded of something from China that has considerably changed
the way I look at life. I was also lucky enough to make so many amazing
friends. Friends I will keep in touch with for years to come.
I love China, and am so grateful I had the chance to spend time living there.
Being a teacher in China taught me far more than I ever was able to teach
any of my students. It was a memorable experience and is one of those
events that significantly helps define who I am!
Spencer A. Streeter
Hefei, Anhui, China
Winter 2008
China, China, China, what to say about it? It was the most incredible and
rewarding experience that I have ever had. The people are amazing, the
students are so loving and willing to help, and Jacob Harlan is the best!
There were times when it was tough because I felt like nobody could
understand me, but there was always someone there to offer support and
help. Teaching was more of a learning experience for me than I think it was
for them. It did take some time to adjust to the different culture and the food,
but nothing that you can't handle with a little patience. Traveling around was
scary at first, but once we got the hang of things, it was something that we
needed to keep us from having too much time on our hands. I think it is
important to get around your city and explore! Keep yourself busy; don’t
allow yourself to sit at your apartment and think about home, and all the
amazing food that you miss. Because if you do, then you’ll be missing out on
all the amazing people you can meet and the adventures you can have. I
would recommend this experience to everyone!! WO AI ZHONG GUO!!!
Amber Bingham
Yongzhou, Hunan, China
Spring 2009
rewarding experience that I have ever had. The people are amazing, the
students are so loving and willing to help, and Jacob Harlan is the best!
There were times when it was tough because I felt like nobody could
understand me, but there was always someone there to offer support and
help. Teaching was more of a learning experience for me than I think it was
for them. It did take some time to adjust to the different culture and the food,
but nothing that you can't handle with a little patience. Traveling around was
scary at first, but once we got the hang of things, it was something that we
needed to keep us from having too much time on our hands. I think it is
important to get around your city and explore! Keep yourself busy; don’t
allow yourself to sit at your apartment and think about home, and all the
amazing food that you miss. Because if you do, then you’ll be missing out on
all the amazing people you can meet and the adventures you can have. I
would recommend this experience to everyone!! WO AI ZHONG GUO!!!
Amber Bingham
Yongzhou, Hunan, China
Spring 2009
While trying to decide what to do with my off track I found a Teaching
English in China opportunity. It seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime. At
first I could not see why I would not want to go, but as the time drew near I
realized that not only was this an opportunity of a lifetime but it was also a
life changing experience and I needed to be sure I wanted to go. I like many
others had doubts about going to China before going. I also like many
others now, having been to China have no doubts going to China was not
only one of the best decisions of my life but also one of the most fun times I
have ever had.
What made the experience was the people and the place. I took into account
that I would be going to China, what I had always considered to be a whole
different world rather than just a different country. I climbed the Great Wall
of China walked in the same place as Chinese royalty in The Forbidden City.
My breath was taken away by the Hong Kong Skyline, and I even rode on a
bamboo raft in what I consider one of the most beautiful places in the entire
world. All these experiences were things that I had hoped for from going to
China. What I did not forsee was the opportunity to personally impact the
lives of each of my 863 students. Even more so than that I did not expect my
students to have such a huge impact on me. The Chinese people and
students were not the only people I forgot to take into account before going.
The other English teachers that I went with grew in 5 months to be some of
the closest friends I have ever had. There are many doubts and reasons for
not going to China but after returning I can honestly say there are far more
reasons to go than there are to not go.
Sam Brubaker
Shuangpai, Hunan, China
Spring 2009
English in China opportunity. It seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime. At
first I could not see why I would not want to go, but as the time drew near I
realized that not only was this an opportunity of a lifetime but it was also a
life changing experience and I needed to be sure I wanted to go. I like many
others had doubts about going to China before going. I also like many
others now, having been to China have no doubts going to China was not
only one of the best decisions of my life but also one of the most fun times I
have ever had.
What made the experience was the people and the place. I took into account
that I would be going to China, what I had always considered to be a whole
different world rather than just a different country. I climbed the Great Wall
of China walked in the same place as Chinese royalty in The Forbidden City.
My breath was taken away by the Hong Kong Skyline, and I even rode on a
bamboo raft in what I consider one of the most beautiful places in the entire
world. All these experiences were things that I had hoped for from going to
China. What I did not forsee was the opportunity to personally impact the
lives of each of my 863 students. Even more so than that I did not expect my
students to have such a huge impact on me. The Chinese people and
students were not the only people I forgot to take into account before going.
The other English teachers that I went with grew in 5 months to be some of
the closest friends I have ever had. There are many doubts and reasons for
not going to China but after returning I can honestly say there are far more
reasons to go than there are to not go.
Sam Brubaker
Shuangpai, Hunan, China
Spring 2009
I taught English to children aged 2- 7 in Zhenjiang, China. I am so glad I
went to China. Every day was an adventure, from eating pig brain, to
teaching a new song to my adorable students, to getting lost on the buses,
to wrapping zongzi for the Dragon Boat Festival. I went to China as I teacher,
but I was really a student learning about their culture, their politics, their
history, their perspective. Aside from the great work experience China
Horizons gave me, I gained a love for the people of Zhenjiang.
Anna Moore
Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
Spring 2009
went to China. Every day was an adventure, from eating pig brain, to
teaching a new song to my adorable students, to getting lost on the buses,
to wrapping zongzi for the Dragon Boat Festival. I went to China as I teacher,
but I was really a student learning about their culture, their politics, their
history, their perspective. Aside from the great work experience China
Horizons gave me, I gained a love for the people of Zhenjiang.
Anna Moore
Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
Spring 2009
"While serving a mission in Sydney, Australia I taught and made friends with
many Chinese people. Later in college, I took as many classes that had
anything to do with China as I could. I studied Asian Geography, History,
Religion, and Philosophy and I minored in Asian Studies. Still, I felt like there
was something missing. Although I had studied China, I didn’t feel like I could
really understand China without having been there. And that is where China
Horizons helped me. I was able to teach in Hunan, China where I got to
experience the real China. I didn’t just talk to people who were from China. I
didn’t just read about China in a book. I experienced China. I ate real
Chinese food. I made real Chinese friends. I saw the places of China. I lived
the Chinese way of life. Teaching in China was the most exciting and
adventurous experience I had during college. There are things you learn
from living in China that you cannot learn in a classroom. I am so glad I
taught in China when I did instead of waiting until I was older because that
invaluable experience is something I will have with me for the rest of my life."
Sean Wood
Huaihua, Hunan, China
Spring 2009
many Chinese people. Later in college, I took as many classes that had
anything to do with China as I could. I studied Asian Geography, History,
Religion, and Philosophy and I minored in Asian Studies. Still, I felt like there
was something missing. Although I had studied China, I didn’t feel like I could
really understand China without having been there. And that is where China
Horizons helped me. I was able to teach in Hunan, China where I got to
experience the real China. I didn’t just talk to people who were from China. I
didn’t just read about China in a book. I experienced China. I ate real
Chinese food. I made real Chinese friends. I saw the places of China. I lived
the Chinese way of life. Teaching in China was the most exciting and
adventurous experience I had during college. There are things you learn
from living in China that you cannot learn in a classroom. I am so glad I
taught in China when I did instead of waiting until I was older because that
invaluable experience is something I will have with me for the rest of my life."
Sean Wood
Huaihua, Hunan, China
Spring 2009
"A year ago I was looking for an adventure and really wanting to do
something that would help me become the person I want to be... that is
when I found China Horizons! As soon as I heard about the program I
knew it was something I wanted to do. I wanted to serve the people in
that part of the world. I didn't know ANY Chinese which made the
experience all the more fun. Lets just say I am really good at
charades now :) I miss my students everyday. Their love for learning
and desire to be the best motivates me. After being in China I feel so
much more independent and strong. I truly feel like I can do ANYTHING.
At one point I really had to dig deep and find strength I didn't even
know I had in me. I wouldn't trade anything for the 5 months I had in
China and I would do it again in a heart beat. Wo ai Zhong Guo!!!!"
Megan Turnmire
Yongzhou, Hunan, China
Spring 2009
something that would help me become the person I want to be... that is
when I found China Horizons! As soon as I heard about the program I
knew it was something I wanted to do. I wanted to serve the people in
that part of the world. I didn't know ANY Chinese which made the
experience all the more fun. Lets just say I am really good at
charades now :) I miss my students everyday. Their love for learning
and desire to be the best motivates me. After being in China I feel so
much more independent and strong. I truly feel like I can do ANYTHING.
At one point I really had to dig deep and find strength I didn't even
know I had in me. I wouldn't trade anything for the 5 months I had in
China and I would do it again in a heart beat. Wo ai Zhong Guo!!!!"
Megan Turnmire
Yongzhou, Hunan, China
Spring 2009
Living in China was such an adventure! At first I was pretty scared to do it
because I was going there without knowing anyone and I was pretty happy
staying in my little comfort zone. But I decided to put those little things
behind me and go for it. It was by far one of the hardest but best decisions
of my life! My favorite parts of being in China was teaching my students,
traveling on my free time, and getting to know the people. The Chinese
are the most friendly, humble and giving people and they want you to love
China as much as they love China. I love my students. I feel like they
taught me more than I could ever teach them but I know I made a
difference by being there. I made so many good relationships with my
students as well as the people I saw everyday (the fruit stand lady, the
restaurant family, the bakery woman... and so many more!). I love the
Chinese culture and eating with chopsticks everyday! You would think
since I didn’t know any Chinese and didn’t have any experience as a
teacher, I would have a hard time…but to be honest, it was amazing. I
have been longing to go back to china and I know I will go back sometime
in the near future. I am so grateful for china horizons and the experience it
allowed me to have. It changed my outlook on life and it definitely made me
a better person.
Veronica Zanini
Yongzhou, Hunan, China
Spring 2009
because I was going there without knowing anyone and I was pretty happy
staying in my little comfort zone. But I decided to put those little things
behind me and go for it. It was by far one of the hardest but best decisions
of my life! My favorite parts of being in China was teaching my students,
traveling on my free time, and getting to know the people. The Chinese
are the most friendly, humble and giving people and they want you to love
China as much as they love China. I love my students. I feel like they
taught me more than I could ever teach them but I know I made a
difference by being there. I made so many good relationships with my
students as well as the people I saw everyday (the fruit stand lady, the
restaurant family, the bakery woman... and so many more!). I love the
Chinese culture and eating with chopsticks everyday! You would think
since I didn’t know any Chinese and didn’t have any experience as a
teacher, I would have a hard time…but to be honest, it was amazing. I
have been longing to go back to china and I know I will go back sometime
in the near future. I am so grateful for china horizons and the experience it
allowed me to have. It changed my outlook on life and it definitely made me
a better person.
Veronica Zanini
Yongzhou, Hunan, China
Spring 2009