Sarah was a high-school English teacher for 5 years in Shenzhen, China before she moved to Portland, Oregon for a Chinese high-tech company in 2016. As a bilingual mother of two young children, she aims to have children raised up to be an international citizen, with an open mind and multiple language skills. While residing in a modern city as Shenzhen, Sarah starts Edu-Pal China program, along with a group of the most passionate, devoted, and vibrant young team members from various culture and language backgrounds.
What is your favorite travel memory?
My favorite travel memory was traveling to UK as a family trip. We visited bridges and museums in London, walked along river Thames, and rode on the National rail. We even met up our up-coming Edu-Pal during this trip. My 6-year old child was so fit into the new environment. He would confidently approach to people asking for directions politely, talked about his new toys with people he met in hotel lobby, joined activities the museums open to kids, and learned from broadcastings on the tube, speaking very good English.
It astonished me a lot that he was so adaptable to the new people, environment, and culture in such a different country.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Edu-Pal China has brought great changes to me, and even to my family as my family is also a host family on the program. Not only that my children are multiple lingual, but also that they are developing a very open mind, well-mannered, and respectful.
I even develop a better understanding of our own culture, like seeing it in a mirror. I become even more respectful of the essence of Chinese culture. It’s a culture based on respect, in which social activities are practiced in accordance with universally accepted customs and conventions. It starts from tables manners at a family gathering to diplomatic courtesy.
And most importantly, I grow along with the lovely team members we have! Everyone is so self-motivated, supportive and energetic!
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
What I hear a lot from the return Edu-Pals is that they will come and visit us again!
There are a lot of touching stories from return students. I heard from a new return Edu-Pal that her host family are planning a trip to visit her! She was so excited about it! There is one Edu-Pal who even chose Mandarin and Business as her major in university and she would come back in 2 years for school exchange.
The best one I knew about is between a host child Ethan and his first Edu-Pal Victor. Though Victor has no child experience, he learned and grew along with Ethan as a family member. They played train toys, went to parks, watch fireworks, swam… Victor was also Ethan’s first football teacher! They became a real family that care for each other deeply. One year after Victor was back, he received a Chinese New Year gift delivered from his host.
There are a lot of similar sweet stories. I would go on this program if I was at a younger age myself😊.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would go for Edu-Pal China’s program myself. I have always been amazed by different cultures and languages. I seek for learning experience along with fun and self-development. Being an Edu-Pal would allow me to travel, meet new friends, and learn the local language and culture, without spending my own money.
And I really enjoyed being around with children. Children are always attached to me, which would make me feel more home.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Our company is unique that we have a very self-motivated team, all young and energetic, supportive to each other. We feel like a family as a team, we communicate, share, develop and trust! And what’s more, we all believe in the value of the programs we are working on. We keep in mind an Edu-Pals’ expectations and fulfill their wish to travel, experience and learn!
I’m so proud that our applicants return rates are high. Our programs has very good reputation from Edu-Pals, and we are developing to even make them better.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
We believe in team work. We respect the key value of the program: introducing Chinese language and cultural in a fun and creative way!
We trust and support each other. You will find that Edu-Pals are not only well supported us EPC team, but also by the experienced Edu-Pals on program. It’s our company culture that every member and Edu-Pal will be well taken care of.
