Chinese language and Cultural Exchange Program

I arrived in Shenzhen exactly 2 months ago to take part in the EPC program. I was a bit nervous at first, since it was my first time ever in Asia and I didn’t know anyone here, but now I’m so glad I got on that plane! I was lucky enough to get along very well with my Chinese family from the start -sure, there are many cultural differences, but everytime we encountered a problem the EPC staff was quick to help us solve it. I completely fell in love with the country, the people, the traditions and the other people in the program will quickly become your second family! Every month we take part in different activities and trips around the country to explore and learn about the culture and history of China, but we also have enough time to go out and have fun with our friends -your Instagram profile will benefit big time! I’m so thankful for the opportunity to experience China in such an authentic and fun way -I couldn’t recommend the EPC program more!

I chose to go to China, because of its major differences compared to the countries I'm used to. With differences I meant as in China's amazing food, incredibly humble people
and their language.

I was so welcomed from the very beginning! Even though the family and I had difficulties with the communication, we still got along so well and had so much fun. The best times were when the whole family was together for dinner, and we would talk and laugh. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I felt so great being together with this family and I had a lot of a family feeling from the Chinese family.

The staff in EPC were always very caring. From the beginning when I wasn't sure with my position in the family or the best way for me to get along with each and one of them, the team of Edu-Pal China, helped and supported me through those minor difficulties. I really enjoyed the times when the Edu-Pals and Sarah sat down and discussed what had occurred that week. It could vary from time to time, sometimes being that the host child told us something adorable, to how we could improve our English teaching skills.
We also had Mandarin classes which were genuinely interesting and I got to understand
why certain things in the language were like they were. And I love the cultural activies! We learn a lot about Chinese Tea Arts、Chinese Calligraphy and so on!

To those who feel like they want a big change in their lives, and of course loves being with kids, I would tell them to Join this program. I'm really happy that I did it and when I tell others about my experience in China, they all always become speechless.

I wasn’t really sure if I should get into an adventure to go to China but my friend made me. I mean, not that it met my expectations than beyond it. I’ve never been to Asia so I felt this is some sort of an adventure but I went there to teach. This is great way to travel, go abroad, get to know other countries and see the world.
I was staying in the city of Shanghai. This is a beautiful modern city.
My host family was awesome, we got together very well.They made me feel like home. They taught me many things. Chinese culture is more vivid and greater than I thought. While I was teaching English, I was learning Mandarin which was fantastic. I was trying to speak whenever I could, I would speak with the teacher on the brake, with the kids, with everyone I could in fact. It was interesting to learn Chinese and actually speaking it. I was lucky to have some other people who were in the same program as I did so we were trying to speak Chinese and exchanging our experiences.
One thing sure, everything is done in a very professional manner from the landing in China to going back to my country. I wanted to go and explore more Shanghai when my host family members couldn’t and I asked my EPC program coordinator for a few recommendations and some other questions concerning safety, transport, food etc and she was the best! Like I said I loved the city, very modern culture, and architecture.
I’m lucky that the family have a lot of quality stuff for me and my host child to work on. I also tried to share with my host family about my culture and Italy which was awesome. They received it very well.
It is not only about earning money, it’s more about experience and learning about China for me. I met super fun people here, my great family and friends on the same program. we are planning to meet soon again.

I loved being in China. I wanted to go since I was a kid. I can’t say it was bad experience I think I couldn’t adjust that fast. Some of the things were very unfamiliar and I think I had the ‘’cultural shock’’, since I couldn’t adjust in three moths. Maybe it is not enough time to get to know other culture, I don’t know.
Anyway, my EPC was caring and we had a lot of conversations regarding how I felt there. I think I missed my country way more than I expected. I stayed for three months and it kinda helped me to get to know better myself.
Everything was fine, I loved the host family trips that we did to Beijing, Shangai, amazing cities.
My host family was great, I can say that Chinese people are very kind in general. I had no awkward situations being a foreigner there. Actually I got a few presents from my host family and EPC and it melt my heart.
The kids loved me,I think I did good job. Other Edu-Pals helped me to get know the kids and how they work, they treated me seriously and very professional.
I was slow at first, didn’t know what to do really but I got help and I was glad I had someone to turn to. After I got to know the kids, it was easy to teach. We came up with many activities and I really liked working with kids.
Going to China and taking this program was worth it, although I couldn’t adjust at first I gained more professional experience, I feel more confident when it comes to future teaching or childcare. My recommendation is to take this programs and see where are you at.

I wanted to come to China to get to know its culture, and Edu-Pal China has allowed me to get even closer than I ever thought possible! Being able to live with a Chinese family has helped me be a part of China's traditions, its atmosphere! I love the challenges of living far away from my home and getting used to new things, and EPC has made the transition as smooth as possible. They helped me work out any cultural differences I may have with my host family as well as introduced me to other amazing people from all over the world who are also a part of this program. Being able to learn Chinese with people who you can already call your friends in a very fun and cool environment makes coming to a foreign country so much easier and so much more fun. This is such a precious life experience, getting to spend time with adorable kids and learning to find a common language with people whose language I am just beginning to learn.

I signed up for three-month EPC program. My host child Yoshimi was 5 years old when I came. he was so active just like most boys. He spoke basic English and was enough for us to communicate at a basic level and it didn’t affect his interest in talking and playing with me. As time went on, his English skills and our overall communication skills improved greatly, which I was quite happy about.

EPC was so helpful and supportive during my stay in China. Though I was prepared with culture shock, it didn’t cause me any problem with EPC’s program training. When I understood more about Chinese customs, it was really easy to communicate with my host parents and the locals. I was lucky enough to spend a Chinese New Year with my family. They took me for trips to Zhangjiajie (for movie Avatar), Phenix City (ancient buildings that have lasted for above 300 years), and parents’ hometowns. Absolutely fantastic trips! I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life!

The mandarin classes offered by EPC are fantastic as I went out to China with no previous knowledge of the language but came away being able to communicate with basic mandarin. The cultural events are always very fun and enjoyable. I got Chinese Calligraphy training, tea art ceremony, city tour to Hakka Cantonese town, and etc.

The only regret I have that I couldn’t schedule a longer stay with my host family and EPC. I’m already missing Yoshimi, my host family and my friends in EPC. I will come back and visit all of you for sure.

I enjoyed the experience with EPC. I'm matched to a lovely family in Shenzhen for three months. I am sure I will miss them and cannot believe how fast the three months went. We shared a lot of beautiful moments which I will cherish in my life! My lovely host child is a girl who was a bit shy and quiet at the beginning, but as we know more about each other, she's more active now which I'm so happy about it! She also makes a great progress of English!

EPC offered Free Mandarin Class every week and cultural activities once a week or sometimes every two weeks.The Mandarin classes were really good! It is quite focused on daily communication and HSK test as well. The mandarin teacher Stephanie was really professional. We also had cultural classes such as traditional calligraphy and Guqin( a traditional musical instrument) which were very interesting. I would probably do it again if I could and whole heartedly recommend it.

I also went to a lot of famous places, not just famous parks like Window of the World, but places that have a long history and they are Chinese Style! For Example, Gankeng Hakka Village!

I would definitely miss this experience, miss the life and the people in China!
Thank you EPC!

Edu-Pal China is the most caring and professional international cultural exchange company in China. I got to know lots of amazing people, that I’ll definitely miss. Sarah from EPC is the most responsible agent. She understood me when I was talking about problems with my host family or cultural differences, and has helped me a lot!

I learnt some Mandarin and knew more about China during this program. Now I can understand some basic Chinese and talk a bit in Chinese which is amazing! About City Tour and Cultural activities, I've learnt some history of China especially the history of Shenzhen! I've learnt Calligraphy, Guqin(Chinese musical instrument), martial art and visited a lot of wonderful places there! I'll miss everything in Shenzhen, everything with my host family and EPC!

I learnt a lot from this cultural exchange experience with EPC. If I would do a cultural exchange program again in future, I would definitely go with EPC.