 >Alumni Testimonies
We wanted to say, “Thank you!” again and again for wonderful summer experience. Every single one of us had the time of our lives. Again you did a masterful job of putting together this complex program with so many facets. Everything was just perfect – the organization, the hotels, the meals, the tours, the school, the precious students, and the kind, supportive, and dedicated teachers and administrators. We honestly cannot think of one thing that you could have done better or differently. Although the flu scare may have been a struggle for you, you made it a simple matter for us. We never felt inconvenienced.
We hope that we American teachers did a satisfactory job for you and the school. It is such an honor to be able to participate in this program with you two.
Thank you for all your dedication and service to promote international understanding and a global perspective. This experience and last year’s trip have changed our own lives and given us a greater appreciation for China.
Lewie and Maureen J. from California
2008 & 2009 Tongxiang Summer Program
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The management and organization by the school was truly superior. I commend them for their great work and dedication to make this an effective summer program for the students, the American teachers, and the school. The food was superb. The chef could not have been better. We appreciated him so much. We were overwhelmed by the personal interest and effort that he put into creating banquets for us as every meal. The hotel was VERY nice. The rooms were clean, well air-conditioned, easy access to the school, good breakfast, good TV, fast internet connection. This hotel is a great find. We loved the visits to Xi’an and Beijing. Not only were the treasures we saw by day tops, but the shows that we saw in the evening were truly spectacular. Although I missed the Hangzhou/Wuzhen portion of the trip, I had seen it before, and I got to see a whole new aspect of China in the schools where I did my presentations. It was an honor to be invited to Karen’s home for dinner. The visit to the Humble Administrator’s Garden by Michael was a great morning to remember. The tour guides were very good. Charley was always there and available for anything that we needed. His services made the extensive travels seem so carefree. I was so impressed that he called our room in Xi’an to make sure the room was OK and to give us his room number in case we needed anything. Lina in Xi’an and Eric in Beijing couldn’t have been better. Thank you for all that you did to put together this valuable experience. We loved every minute of it.
Lewie J. from California
2008 & 2009 Tongxiang Summer Program *******************************************************************************************
1. School management was excellent. Everything ran as smoothly as possible.
2. Our food was bordering on gourmet. Every meal was a feast with the chef's checking with us frequently to make sure everything was fine.
3. The hotel in Tongxiang was great. I highly recommend it for next year. The Xian hotel had some problems with drainage in the shower, but that was minor.
4. Xian was my favorite tourist city, but we enjoyed Hangzhou, Shanghai, Tongxiang, and Beijing as well. Wuzhen is nice too. I think future groups would enjoy all of these as well.
5. This year's guides were great. Charlie's English is fantastic, and he was very patient with us and knowledgeable. Lena and Eric were also excellent.
6. I thought that last year's trip was the best possible, but this year's school experience, tours, hotels, and meals were even better. I don't know how it could be better.
PS: The dim sum dinner was so great!
Maureen J. from California
2008 & 2009 Tongxiang Summer Program *******************************************************************************************
Thank you a million times for such an amazing opportunity to teach and travel in China!!! I had a blast meeting and working with so many interesting and talented teachers. I also appreciated and enjoyed working with Sabrina and Lu, my host teachers for the 6th grade classrooms in Nanjing. They were so welcoming and really made me feel comfortable in their classrooms. Teaching was challenging but so rewarding, and I love my memories of Bronwyn & I staying up late laughing and revising lesson plans for the next day. This type of teaching really required active, flexible plans and it was fun trying to make that happen for the students. The students were so kind, and we ended up teaching each other many things in that busy two-week period. Thanks again, Sally!!!! I am still organizing photos and enjoying all the incredible sights I captured in the photos! What a great time!!! Thanks for making this happen.
1. How was the management of the school? Excellent!!!!
2. How was the food at school? Good... Thanks for the yummy baked goods, fruit, and ice cream treats.
3. How was the accommodation? Nice... I liked having the grocery store and restaurants so close by. It was a perfect location to get a cab if you needed to go some place that wasn't in walking distance.
4. How were the cities you visited? Which city was your favorite city? The cities were great. I liked Hangzhou and Suzhou because there was something tranquil and peaceful about the people there. I liked Beijing for the crazy bargain shopping opportunities. Oh, that was a blast!!! I also loved Xi'an because of the Terracotta Warriors.... Obviously, I am having trouble picking just one favorite city!!!! I really loved them all!!!
5. How was the service of your tour guides? Fantastic!!! I cannot say enough good things about JJ. He was so patient, calm, and wise! I wish that I could provide for him a tour of Alaska that was just as great as the one he created in China for all of us.
Christie M. from Alaska
2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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1. How was the management of the school?
Great! Teachers were friendly and respectful. Middle School VP was always willing to help and Jim was beyond gracious and helpful. What would we have done without him and Yifei. They never said no to us.
2. How was the food at school?
Okay but there was nothing to complain about. It was good enough for students so it was good enough for us also. I wished there were chopsticks so we practice our eating skills during the day.
3. How was the accommodation? Great. 4. How were the cities you visited? Which city was your favorite city?
Amazing. I would have to say my favorite city was Nanjing because we spent more time there so it felt more like "home." After Nanjing, I would say Beijing. The city just seemed really beautiful, organized, clean (except for the air), and driving was a lot better. Shanghai was nice but there was so much construction going on that I don't think we really got to appreciate the incredible architecture that it has to offer. Also, the first couple of nights that we were there, it was raining so we weren't able to see as much of the lights & splendor.
5. How was the service of your tour guides?
Excellent. JJ was incredible. I'm so thankful for him.
6. Any other constructive suggestions?
Thank you for an incredible, unforgettable trip. I hear from students almost daily and teaching was by far my favorite part!
Kafi P. from California
2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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First of all I would like to thank you for helping to make this summer such a success. The whole trip was fantastic!
1. The management of the school was well organized. As you know Yifei and Jimmy did a remarkable job of coordinating all the school related activities from meals, to bus, to classes and any other need we had. They both were so willing to do anything and everything we asked.
2. The food at the school was cafeteria style food and after a few days everything tasted the same. That being said I did eat everyday in the cafeteria and was able to find something I could eat. I am glad that we were able to eat dinner out as that gave me an opportunity to taste other types of Chinese food and have a little more free time.
3. The accommodations were great. I usually don't travel that well when on my own. Thank You!!
4. All the touring was excellent and it is very hard for me to pick a favorite city because there were special places in each city. However I did really enjoy the beauty of Hangzhou. The Lake is very special and I loved watching the people dance in the evening and exercise in the early morning. Also in Hangzhou the visit to the Lingyin Buddha temple was interesting and a great place to explore. I also enjoyed the visit to the tea plantation and getting out of the city and seeing some countryside. In Suzhou The Humble administrators garden was special and the night cruise on the canals (an extra) was not to be missed.
However, being able to see the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall are definitely on the list of "have to do" when visiting China.
4. JJ our tour guide was GREAT! He had a good feel for our group and his personal skills were excellent. He was very informative but did not give sooo much information as to seem overwhelming. In all of my traveling this was the first time I have traveled on a tour and i think JJ helped to make the experience very positive.
5. As for the teaching experience, mine was very positive. My homeroom teachers were helpful, the students fairly well behaved and it was FUN. I think that future teachers should be told that this is a summer camp and the students need to have fun and be active. I know you mentioned it but I don't think I really realized what you meant until I was there. A combination of literature, hands-on, music and games that require listening and oral language, and some quiet follow-up activities to the literature or theme (just to give the teacher a little break) is a good combination. I mentioned to my host teachers that it would be helpful next year if all the students brought markers or crayons, scissors and a pencil or pen and they thought it a good idea. In addition to the list of materials you suggested I would add chart paper.
Terry C. from California
2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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1. Management at school was good. Michelle and Angela were very helpful.
2. The food was outstanding.
3. The hotel was great. Mr. Mao and his laundry service was a real perk.
4. I liked all the cities we visited, especially Xi'an. The Terra Cotta soldiers, and the Great Wall were highlights, plus Beijing and the Olympic village.
5.Tour guides were excellent, very helpful and informative.
P.S I am already recruiting for next year! Perhaps I will return as well.
Gayle T. from California
2009 Tongxiang Summer Program
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1. How was the management of the school?
Sally was an excellent liaison and advocate for the teachers.
The support that Jim gave with computers, sound system for the dance, transportation timeliness, etc… was excellent.
The enforcement of discipline at the Junior High level was ineffectual, except when Mr. Gong was present in the room.
I was touched that the school felt that we deserved a bonus, and the going away party, with all the singing, was really fun.
The Chinese and other classes were nice to have. I was pleased that the computer lab was open for me, even when I was the only user (three times.)
2. How was the food at school? For me, it was fine. I’m not picky. Having the fruit snacks in the afternoon was GREAT, and I really liked the ice cream.
3. How was the accommodation? It was very good. The Nanjing hotel was beautiful.
4. How were the cities you visited? Which city was your favorite city?
All the tours were interesting. It was good that there was flexibility for those who had been to China before to explore on their own. I loved the West Lake in Hangzhou, the canals in Suzhou, cycling on the Xi’an Walls and wandering the Muslim market.
5. How was the service of your tour guides? Very good. I liked it when they told about their personal lives and history. They were also nice to modify the last day for the 1.5 hour shopping spree in Beijing.
Marya I. from California
2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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The program this year was well-organized and a huge improvemnent from last year's! The opening and closing ceremony were good in length and didn't last too long. A lot of us felt that the school went way over and beyond their call of duty. The addition of Jim and Yi-fei made life a lot easier for all of the teachers. In addition, the new workroom and restrooms were way superior.
As for the food, it was as good as cafeteria style food is going to get. However, I felt like the school made too much and there were a lot of leftovers at the end of each day, which is a waste. The accommodations were excellent, with the hotels in Suzhou and Nanjing being the best. Our tour guides were very good and patient with our many demands, although I felt that the tour schedule was extremely hectic the day we left Nanjing for Xian. Many of us were bone tired by the time we arrived in Xian. By far, Beijing was my favorite! There's so much history and culture there, I wish we could've spent more time there!
I feel extremely lucky to experience the program again this time around, with all its improvements. The school is very good to us and I'm humbled by the amount of work that goes into making this program the success that it is. I really did learn a lot from the other teachers.
Thank you for accepting me into the program this summer.
Leng T. from California
2008 & 2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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1. How was the management of the school?
It was managed very well. It was nice having two people who were there to support us if needed. It was nice to have a written schedule and notes when things changed.
2. How was the food at school?
The food was better this year than last year, but to be honest with you I only had it a few times. I found that I liked to eat Chinese food better when I only eat it one time a day.
3. How was the accommodation?
The accommodations were wonderful!
4. How were the cities you visited? Which city was your favorite city?
The cities we visited were great. I really liked Xian. Guilin was a great city to see also.
5. How was the service of your tour guides?
The tours were great.
6. Any other constructive suggestions?
The program was wonderful.
Thank you for letting me go twice. It was such a wonderful experience. The group of teachers was so positive and the teaching was great.
Christina C. from California
2008 & 2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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I want to thank you and everyone from the school for organizing such a wonderful program. I have to say that one thing I enjoyed most about my time in China was the teaching. I appreciate all of the time and effort that you and everyone at the school put in to organizing our teaching and traveling. To answer your questions:
1. I did not have any management problems in my classrooms. The room teachers were helpful when they were in the room and the students were respectful towards me.
2. The food at school was ok.
3. The accommodations were fine. The hotel in Nanjing was very nice- great to be able to stay at such a nice hotel for an extended period of time. The location of our Beijing hotel was great- close to many points of interest. The hotel in Shanghai was a bit out of the city and not as centrally located as other hotels in the other cities we stayed in.
4. The cities that we toured were great. I had traveled to several of them the previous summer, but was still excited to return (Beijing, Xi'an) because there was so much to see in each. My favorite city was Hangzhou because it was so beautiful and there was lots to do- biking, exploring around the lake, etc.
5. The tour guides were great. They were very accommodating and helpful.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to participate in your program. I really had such a fantastic time teaching and traveling.
Kelly M. from California
2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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I first want to say thank you so much for the opportunity to travel to China and have such a wonderful experience. It was my second trip to China, but I think this trip was such a better experience than the first time around (5 years ago). I found myself falling in love with China this time, its people, its food, etc. You were such a great director to work for and I really appreciate all of your hard work to make sure we had such a great trip. I had such a great summer and am so thankful for the entire experience. Here are my thoughts on your questions:
1. How was the management of the school?
I found the school to be incredibly supportive. Jim and E-Fai (I can't remember how to spell her name!) were so enthusiastic and helpful. I thought the school officials were very appreciative of us and sought to make our teaching experience fun and smooth. They were kind, helpful and when I was observed, the woman observing made a point to thank me and gave positive comments about my teaching. I thought that was above and beyond what was needed. I thought the rewards of travel, airfare reimbursement, etc. were well worth the small amount of teaching we did.
2 How was the accommodation?
The hotels were wonderful. I felt that the hotels, especially Nanjing, were really comfortable, clean and safe. I also liked the locations of the hotels - they seemed to be close to grocery stores, other shopping, and it was easy to get to places from them. Again, as compensation from the school for our teaching, they were above and beyond what was necessary, which was so nice to experience.
4. How were the cities you visited? Which city was your favorite city?
I really liked Shanghai the best. I wish we had a bit more time there. I also really enjoyed Nanjing, which was a new city for me. I thought that the cities you picked to visit were a great representation of China and we were lucky to see such great things - like the Great Wall, Terra Cotta Warriors, etc. It was a great itinerary and a fun trip!
5. How was the service of your tour guides?
I thought JJ really made the touring fun. We found ourselves laughing a lot at him and his jokes! He seemed to know exactly how long to give us at some of the sites and understood when we were hot and needed to get back on the bus. He always thought about personal needs (water, bathrooms) and pointed them out whenever he saw places to take care of ourselves. He was really great! The other tour guides were competent and very knowledgeable.
6. Any other constructive suggestions?
You did such an amazing job preparing us! I know you spent hours and hours preparing for the trip and then worked tirelessly to make sure everything was smooth. I appreciate your graciousness and helpfulness whenever we needed it. You were so laid back with us and treated us as professionals, which was really nice. It was such a great experience!
It might be easier if the school could give a very brief overview (a few sentences) of what each grade level has learned in their English instruction (for example, the 1st graders have learned about American holidays and songs) and what specific supplies the students have. Then, the American teachers might have a better idea of what they could teach as enrichment, especially in the higher grades, and they could gear their instruction a bit more strategically.
Thanks again - I can't say thank you enough for the opportunity. It was such an amazing experience that I will remember forever!
Kim F. from Colorado
2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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As always, I cannot express how thankful I am for having had the opportunity to go to China. Before ever having gone, I never considered it one of my priorities, although Agustin did. I wasn't very educated on China, then. After going 2 years ago, I always recommend it to whomever I talk to about traveling and I tell them it is my favorite country so far.
In regards to the evaluation:
1. How was the management of the school?
Everything seemed to flow very smoothly for us. We knew exactly where we needed to be, when to be there, and what we were expected to do. It couldn't have been better!
2. How was the food at school?
The chef was the best!!!! The food was delicious every single day. We loved how he would come talk to us on some occasions and having the opportunity to put a face to the chef of such wonderful meals. He was very accommodating to our preferences, but he also tried to give us opportunities to try new things he thought we should try. That speaks very highly of him and his considerations. Oh! And he also went out of his way to teach us a little bit about the meals. It couldn't have been better!
3. How was the accommodation?
Before arriving in Tongxiang, we were told that the hotel was not going to be in a central place as it was before. I was a little sad because I remembered having great experiences in the area, but once we got there, the hotel was excellent!!! It had great service, great food, and beautiful rooms. And, more than being at a walking distance from the school, if you chose to walk, you crossed a beautiful park with so many new things to see and learn. I loved it. We did not miss out on anything for not being centrally located. Taxis were always available and accessible. It couldn't have been better!
4. How were the cities you visited? Which city was your favorite city?
Every city we visited was fantastic. Each activity we had was unforgettable. I don't think I can pick a favorite. Perhaps I can say I enjoyed Beijing very much because we had more time to be there, let everything sink in, and explore some. It couldn't have been better!
5. How was the service of your tour guides?
The three tour guides were exceptional. They made us feel comfortable and forget we were in a completely foreign environment. They also went out of their way so many times! For example, Charlie helped us organize a surprise dinner cake for Agustin one day by arranging it all, Lena helped us get our camera back once we thought we had lost it forever by calling the hotel and making sure they did their best to help us, and Eric never hesitated when plans did not work out as they were supposed to after the storm in Beijing and rearranged everything for us as well as finding extra things for us to enjoy like the night food markets. They couldn't have been better!
6. Any other constructive suggestions?
I just want to express how happy I was with the group. It was such a wonderful group of people. It was amazing to be surrounded by such expertise and yet such humility. The team was AWESOME!!! It couldn't have been better!!! Thanks again!
Gloria M. from Texas
2007 & 2009 Tongxiang Summer Program
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Although I am back home, my heart and memory are still beaming with fond memories of my China experience. I want to thank you again for giving me this amazing opportunity. I have been in email contact with several of my students and we have been sharing pictures and information. The students are looking forward to starting their school year on August 31st. OK and now... on to the evaluation:
1. How was the management of the school?
I dealt mostly with Edward Gong (and sometimes with the technology support team). I was supported when needed. I really didn't have any problems. You kept me (all of us) informed and supported. You did an excellent job and it was greatly appreciated.
2. How was the food at school?
I actually enjoyed trying the foods that they eat. I guess it just took a little getting used to.
3. How was the accommodation?
The hotels were fine. I liked that the hotel was so close to the shopping area. It allowed for us to walk to the store to pick up materials to use at the school. I felt safe where we were and the people at the hotels were friendly and always tried to address our needs. Accommodations were fine.
4. How were the cities you visited? Which city was your favorite city?
All of the places we visited were amazing, interesting and enlightening. There was always so much to see and learn about - I loved it all! Our tour guide, JJ helped make our visit to China that much more enjoyable. He was nice, knowledgeable, friendly and always looking after our needs. As far as a favorite city... I honestly loved them all. Maybe Shanghai and Beijing come to mind for some amazing sights, shopping and venues.
5. How was the service of your tour guides?
The tour guides were wonderful. JJ was especially great. Having water provided for us on the bus was greatly appreciated.
6. Any other constructive suggestions?
Having a strong background in special education and behavior management, I didn't find student behavior to be a concern. Because it was a summer camp-like program, I think some of the students just didn't want to have the two weeks seem like drilling and lectures (as you mentioned several times in your pre-trip packet information). Learning can and should be fun.
I had an AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL TIME working with my students, the administrators, the other American teachers in the program and of course you. I can't thank you enough for an amazing summer experience! I have made new and wonderful life-long friends. I hope to visit my new Eskimo friends (from Alaska) sometime soon. My teacher friends here in Chicago are hearing all about my adventures. Next month I will be having a Chinese dinner party at my home (for friends and family) and I will be showing a slide show of my pictures from my trip. I plan to serve Chinese food, but I do not plan to include heads, whiskers and tails of things. I have been wearing my pearl earrings and necklace and I really love them so much. I think of China every day. … So again (and again and again), thanks for arranging massages, giving me tips on purses, and making this wonderful summer experience so AMAZING!!!
Thank you so much for your time, dedication and friendship. (Xie Xie)
Sharon S. from Illinois
2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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The scope of my China experience still resonates with me today. I feel very grateful to have had this opportunity! I enjoyed meeting my diverse, well traveled, fellow American teachers, working with my hard working, respectful sixth graders, collaborating with my kind, flexible Chinese teachers and experiencing the wonders of Chinese culture and history. I actually have a hard time responding to the question, "How was your trip to China?" because it is difficult to say all of that with one word! I usually say, "Amazing"! Your efforts with organization and hospitality did not go unnoticed. This was my first trip to Asia, and I felt treated like an honored guest. It is nearly impossible to go hungry on this trip even with dietary limitations. I am a vegetarian with a funky stomach. I found the food delicious, plentiful and full of variety. Our accommodations were clean and comfortable. Even when we were sick, you brought comfort and medicine. The communication prior to the trip was helpful in my preparation. I also appreciated the communication throughout the trip. I felt respected and professional throughout the trip. It is clear that you want to provide a positive experience for everyone involved in the program. Thank you!
In response to your questions:
1. The Management of the School-If this is in regard to E-Fay and Jim, I cannot help but say excellent. They were easy to talk to and accommodating. I appreciated their time and management of the program getting us to places we needed to be and getting us the materials we needed to teach. I was pleased with my overall experience in school.
2. The food at the school-It was so thoughtful and generous of the school to provide our lunches. It is difficult to be critical. Everything tasted fine going down.
3. Accommodations-I found our accommodations mostly very good. I liked the comfort of a western hotel for being away from home for such a long period of time. Most of them were clean and spacious. I particularly liked our hotel in Nanjing especially for our long-term stay. The staff was friendly and helpful.
4. The Visited Cities-I honestly had a favorite part in each of the cities! Hangzhou stood out for its beauty near the water and the temple. However, my all time favorite, most memorable part of the trip was climbing the Great Wall in Beijing. I am still in awe! Looking back, I can't believe I was on two domestic flights in China. I saw a remarkable amount of Chinese treasures in a short period of time!
5. Tour Guides- JJ was awesome! How can you not love a guy who clearly loves his country and can laugh at his own jokes? JJ was informative and helpful. He set a nice tone throughout our visit. He listened when we had questions or concerns. Some of us were teasing him that we would not know what to do in the airport by ourselves on the way home. Who was going to hold our flag and tell us where to go?
Debbie N. from New York City
2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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Hello! Before I answer your questions I would like to thank you for the opportunity of teaching my students in Nanjing and working with such positive Chinese professionals and dedicated American teachers. I very much appreciate having been part of this program. One moment that speaks to my experience is when I felt so comfortable in my Chinese classroom that I had to remind myself that I wasn’t in my classroom in the US. Before the trip I had so many questions about what China would be like and I was envious of family members and friends who had visited the country. My experiences exceeded my expectations and I came away feeling connected to the vibrant people and communities I encountered in China.
Answers to your questions:
- Management of the school: I think I interpreted this word several ways. I Faye and Jim created an amazingly positive connection between the school and the American teachers. They were so hospitable and served as wonderful ambassadors for the school. They did everything they could to meet our needs. Our cultural programs were excellent.
I was very fortunate with my two room teachers. They were always present and very supportive of me and our students. From the moment I met them they were very welcoming to me.
- School Food: Overall I would say it was satisfactory most days. I went to all lunches and selected foods for my meal. Some days the food was more appetizing than others. The cafeteria staff seemed to try to meet our American sweet tooth by providing several baked goods each day.
- Accommodations in Nanjing: Very good and the housekeepers always did a very nice job taking care of our room! I also liked the location in the city very much.
- Cities we visited: I was very glad we visited each city, each for its own special characteristics and the sites visited. My favorite city was Suzhou- I loved the optional evening boat cruise on the canal. Everyone of us who was on that ride was so enthralled by the beauty and charm of the canal and the lighted lanterns and reflections along the way. Our hotel location was in a smaller, less urban part of the city and that made it very comfortable and relaxing to walk around and explore. I loved seeking out the twin pagodas with fellow teachers. Visiting this city in the first week was very good timing. I was so appreciative to visit so many Chinese cities. Seeing the terracotta soldiers in Xi’an and visiting major sites in Beijing were major highlights for me- the Olympic site, Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
- Service of tour guides: JJ, excellent, for many reasons, as you know! Jason in Beijing: good. He is a very pleasant man. He accommodated the desire for shopping in Silk Street.
Sue H. from New York City
2009 Nanjing Summer Program
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For me the entire experience was fabulous.
1. The school management was great. I felt very supported by the staff members who were there to help us (we were treated like royalty). The students were wonderful, so well behaved and appreciative and open to learning. The supplies that were available were all that I needed. I especially appreciated the water supply...I drank a lot. The classes offered at lunch time were both interesting and informative. Mr Mao was kind, gentle, understanding and supportive. The banquets were delicious and so FUN!
2.The food was wonderful, the chef so accommodating. I loved every meal.
3. The hotel was perfect...the distance to the school allowed us to walk to and from when we felt so inspired, the proximity to the town was also great for wandering and exploring when we had a few minutes of free time, the room was light, clean, comfortable and roomy, the breakfasts were good, the air-conditioning was a god-send, the laundry service was timely and inexpensive.
4. The touring was great. The place I liked the most was Tongxiang - our home. After that probably Beijing because there was so much to see and do. We had time to wander on our own in the evenings, something that I missed earlier in the traveling.
5. The tour guides were all great. My favorite was the one we had in Beijing. He seemed so responsive to our needs...willing to change the itinerary a bit when we wanted and he allowed us more time to wander on our own during our touring. Perhaps it's just the nature of traveling in China to be in such a controlled situation. Generally it would have been nice to have more time to wander or shop. We always seemed to be on such a tight schedule.
I have no complaints...
Thank you for allowing me to participate in the program, I feel honored to have been a part of it. I worked hard and learned so much. It has colored the way I'm teaching this year.
Kathleen J. from California
2009 Tongxiang Summer Program
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First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being given the opportunity to teach in the Summer China Travel and Teaching Program. I had extremely high expectations about the program and was thrilled beyond imagination. It was an experience of a lifetime! Everyone in the program was so welcoming and helpful. I don’t believe that I have ever been so well taken care of. I would like to give special thanks to Michele and Angela for all of the extra attention given to everyone after their work day. They spent every evening planning and chaperoning all of us teachers to try new Chinese experiences; including foot Massages, hair/head massages, manicures/pedicures/, restaurants and my personal favorite Karaoke! At school they attended to our every need. I was impressed by the professionalism of the entire school staff and would like to thank them for presenting us with cultural lessons during their lunch breaks! The cuisine at the school was delicious! We were so spoiled; the chef even came in to meet us and ask us what we preferred to eat.
All of the hotels were nice; especially our home/hotel in Tongxiang! I enjoyed every city we visited. It was especially nice to be able to climb the Great Wall! The best part of the travel experience was visiting the cultural sites! The history of China is so rich and ancient. My favorite places were The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors, Hangzhou (West Lake), Wuzhen, and the gardens in Shanghai and Xi’an. The guides were very knowledgeable. The only thing that I longed more for was, free time to explore outdoor markets and back alleys.
The best and most memorable part of the experience was in our hometown of Tongxiang. I truly enjoyed teaching the children and learning so much from them and making friends with the Chinese teachers. To be honest, I don’t know who learned more, the children or me. The cultural exchange in class was exciting and inspiring. The parting at the end of the closing ceremony was a testimony to the intrinsic value a program such as this. The students were emotional to the point of tears pouring down their faces. They grabbed me, clung to me and told me that they loved me! We all parted crying. I left emotionally drained yet heart filled. I know that I have left an imprint of caring love from the United States in Tongxiang and I have also brought home the same love from China to share with my family, friends and students here in the United State. Imagine a world where everyone could exchange such wonderful cultural experiences? The song my classes sang at the Closing Ceremony says it all; “Imagine” by John Lennon.
Tonya I. from California
2009 Tongxiang Summer Program
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I certainly learned a great deal about Chinese cultural and geography. I benefited greatly from my experience. I believe that teachers who return for a second or third time are probably more effective in the classroom because they have greater familiarity with the school set-up and the language needs of learners. I commend Chinese schools for desiring proficiency in a second language. English speaking Chinese will likely have many doors open for future employment.
I found the people with whom I dealt to be helpful and friendly. I could see cultural differences, but similarities are profoundly evident. I have
been a walking advertisement for the program. Many of my co-teachers and friends are amazed at my experiences. I hope to encourage a teacher or two to consider applying for the program. I know several teachers who would work very hard to provide excellent language lessons.
I also think you did a great job in recruiting teachers who worked well together, who were versatile, and open to new experiences. My group mingled well with one another. I enjoyed my experiences with them very much. I met many adventurers!
China is exciting and beautiful. I now have the "bug" to visit other Chinese destinations and Asian areas beyond.
– Sandi D. From Iowa, 2008 Summer Program
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Overall, I thought the program was wonderful! I had a great time and hope to return next year.
I thought they (school officials) tried their best to accommodate our needs, and I was happy with their efforts. The accommodations were superb! The tour was fantastic! All the cities were so wonderful; it's hard to pick a favorite. I did like Hangzhou and Guilin a lot and wished we had more time in those cities. I think the program offered all of us participants a wonderful experience in China's rich and vibrant culture! I do wish the program were longer! I enjoyed every minute of it!
Thank you for all your hard work and for including us in such a wonderful experience!!
- Leng T. From California, 2008 Summer Program
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The school was wonderful and I felt I had enough materials for my lessons.
The food was excellent once again. I enjoyed the lectures and the work of so many people to offer us some cultural content. The accommodations were much better than last year with the location being central to the city and market being a few blocks away. I would keep the hotel for next year if I were you. I enjoyed the tour- JJ was an excellent tour guide. He is a born storyteller and filled us in on a family's life in China. I gained a great deal of knowledge from him. I also like the way the tour was laid out to cope with our jet lag and continue to show us parts of China. Guilin was exquisite! I love Hangzhou and had a wonderful time there. Suchou was a good stop as jet lag set in on the third day! The way the luggage was taken care of was also logistically better.
The students enjoyed learning more about history and science through English and through cooperative learning. They could speak more and work together to complete the oral presentations throughout the lessons.
- Janice S. From Alaska, 2008 Summer Program
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I just want to thank you again for giving me the wonderful opportunity of going to China with the group. I probably never would have gone to China if not for this program and I had the most amazing time and will remember it forever. Now that I am home I realize that I definitely want to go back some day. In fact I am already missing it!! Your program is great, and I think you are providing a fabulous service for both teachers and the schools.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
- Jon F. From Alaska, 2008 Summer Program
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We had a safe and comfortable trip home. The laundry is done, and the gifts have been distributed or put away until the next occasion. We have been reunited with the grandchildren and have watered the neglected plants. The four weeks' worth of mail has been sorted, and the bills paid.
We are still excited about the trip and agree that it was a wonderful experience that we would like to enjoy again.
The management and support at the school including scheduling, facilities, programs, wi-fi in the office, materials, assistants and Chinese teachers were all excellent. The food was fresh, varied, and delicious. The hotel was clean and comfortable with Internet access, good breakfasts, and friendly staff. The location near stores and other services was good as well. Thanks for the ample supply of safe water!
Each tourist city had its special sights. The cruises kept the pace from being too tiring. The Guilin cruise was probably the most spectacular. We enjoyed the tea plantation and West Lake. Though not big shoppers, we were "inspired" at the leather and silk stores. Our tour guide was J.J. We thought he was informative, attentive, clever, patient, humorous. and very approachable.
We are still amazed at the superb and detailed management of the program in Tongxiang. If and when we think of something to include in next year's program, we will certainly be in touch. Right now we are in agreement that this was the opportunity of a lifetime, and we are grateful and honored to have been included.
- Maureen & Lewis J. From California, 2008 Summer Program
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First, I would like to say how impressed I was with your program. Thank you for being so organized and up-to-date right from the beginning. And thank you for all your guidance and help while I was in Tongxiang. It made my stay there very comfortable.
Below are my opinions:
Food: Absolutely delicious! Our cook (chef would be a better term) outdid himself. Every meal was so good, with so many varieties of food. I couldn't
have asked for better meals.
Accommodations: All hotels were quite good. The food in the hotels was also good. I was happy with the rooms. Enjoyed Tongxiang. Loved visiting the factories.
Tours: Great! Enjoyed all the places we visited. Hangzhou was my favorite. The next time I'm in China, I would definitely return to that city. Loved shopping in Shanghai. The sights of Guilin were wonderful. JJ was a great tour guide...so informative.
Teaching: The administrators and staff of Tongxiang definitely made me feel welcomed. From the banquets (gum-bay!!) to the Opening/Closing ceremonies, I was impressed by their hospitality. The staff room always had water and snacks. It was great having the opportunity to use the computer lab.
Thank you for choosing me to participate in your program. It is obvious both of you put a lot of work into to it. You should be commended.
- Carol S. From Ohio, 2008 Summer Program
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First of all, I wish to thank you for the wonderful opportunity to participate in the summer program at Nanjing. It was a wonderful experience, which allowed me to gain a much deeper insight into the culture of China. At all times I did my best to make it a positive cross-cultural experience. I enjoyed the food, the tours, the contact with the people in spite of the language barrier, the shopping (especially the bargaining), and just watching everyday life unfold around me.
I felt that the food at the school was adequate for the most part. I do not think that the school should have to accommodate to our personal food preferences. This is all part of the experience.
The accommodations were all good. I do not have any complaints regarding the hotels. I especially enjoyed the upgrade in Nanjing. I also enjoyed all the cities. All of them had something interesting to offer. I am an avid photographer so I enjoyed photographing the scenes around me. I especially liked Guilin. This city has a lot to offer as far as scenery. Very picturesque and unique landscapes. Hangzhou is also very pretty. West Lake is unforgettable. The choice of cities gave us a good exposure to urban life, from the huge metropolis of Shanghai to the somewhat slower paced Guilin.
The tour guides were all excellent. All very attentive and responsive to our needs. Henry handled our check-ins in a very professional manner. He was very informative and also entertaining. George, very funny. Loved his Chinese accent and sense of humor. Self-made, admirable, a go-getter. Very informative. Wei (David) is a great guy, very knowledgeable, friendly and attentive to our needs. Spoke excellent English. I was very satisfied with all of them. They took very good care of us.
I do hope that the program will continue, since as you say, it is a great way to promote mutual global understanding. Thank you.
- Ariel L. From Texas, 2008 Summer Program
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I just wanted to also thank you for allowing young teachers like myself, Conrad, and Christina. to attend teaching in China. I know we are young but the experience that we gained from being in China was so memorable and had such an impact on making me a better teacher and also understanding the culture of China better. I really have no complaints about the program. The Tongxiang group of teachers and the school was amazing and far exceeded my expectations. The guide services of M., P., and C. were what made it also such a memorable experience. It was nice to know that there were such enthusiastic individuals to help us with our random needs if we had any. I don't know what we would have done without them, plus it greatly helped us understand the culture of China that much more by constantly being exposed and surrounded by them. The tour was great and JJ was awesome. My favorite city was Guilin. I would love to spend more time there in the future. So beautiful and unique in its landscape. Yes, the tour and the program were awesome and I hope I can be a part of it in the future. Thanks again for everything. I'll never forget my experiences there.
- Ryan K. From California, 2008 Summer Program
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I want to let you know that I am really thankful for the opportunity you gave me. I have seen and learned so much about your culture in the past three weeks and I will be able to continue the next 2.5 weeks that I'll be traveling with L.. I wouldn't have been able to do all of this on my own. This program not only gave me the plane ticket, tours and meals, but also companions. Thank you so so much for inviting me into the program. I'll never forget this wonderful experience.
- Gennieve C. From Florida, 2008 Summer Program
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I just wanted to thank you once again for all your hard work and effort and for making my dream of going to China come true. I had an absolute blast.
You did a great job! Thanks again.
- Jason X. From Massachusetts, 2008 Summer Program
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Here's a belated THANKS for inviting me to go on this wonderful program. Every time I tell someone about it, I get so excited. You, Sallie, and the staff made me feel so welcomed. I truly appreciate the wonderful opportunity you gave me and hope to see you again soon. I am busily recruiting many of my TOP co-workers to apply for this great program next year.
The management of the school was WONDERFUL! Everything was well balanced. There was never a dull moment. Every minute was put to good use.
I really enjoyed how the school tried to cater to our western taste yet still introduced local dishes to us. Excellent! The accommodation was excellent! 4 star hotel! It was great! I enjoyed all the cities we toured. My favorite city was Guilin by far. Pictures don't do it justice. The service of the tour guide was very informative and pleasant.
- Mary L. From California, 2008 Summer Program
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“We want to thank you once again for the wonderful experience of teaching in China. You provided us with an unforgettable opportunity and so many memories that will last a lifetime. We've had fun organizing all of the photos and reminiscing about the children and our colleagues and the many places and experiences. Lance and I feel really fortunate that we were able to do this together. We appreciated all of the organization you put into this project. You thought of everything we could ever have needed ....and more. Thank you!”
- Sue & Lance J. from Canada, 2007 Summer Program ***************************************************************************************
“The longer that I am home, the more I realize the impact of the experience on me. I think about it every day. The overall organization of the tours was very good. I especially appreciated the Itinerary. I also thought it was excellent planning to have us tour for 3 days before going to Tongxiang. We got to get over our jetlag and bond with each other before starting school. We saw SO many sights, the tour guides were very good, and the buses comfortable. It was wonderful to have the guides check us in at the airports. Not knowing the language could have been so scary if we had not had their help. All the people who worked with us tried very hard to get whatever we wanted and to make us feel at home.”
- Lin M. from Iowa, 2007 Summer Program ***************************************************************************************
“I want to first say thank you for a wonderful experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the touring. I knew it would be challenging but you saw a great deal and to have a little in the beginning (to get over the jet lag) and the longer part at the end was perfect. The lectures at the school were a wonderful plus. I appreciated everyone’s efforts for this. I liked them in the afternoon even though it makes for a long day. I also thought the schedule was fine. I even had some time at lunch to close my eyes for a power nap. The food at the school was wonderful! I was happy to incorporate more cooperative frameworks for learning because the students hadn’t experienced learning in those modes. Their feedback to me was that they enjoyed the hands on learning, the movement, music and the little bit of art I was able to incorporate. I can’t say enough about my experience. I hope you will consider me for next year’s program. I am definitely interested in returning.”
- Janice S. from Alaska, 2007 Summer Program ***************************************************************************************
We enjoyed almost every single experience we had. The program is run very well and the planning that went into the program was excellent. We were so well taken care of……We enjoyed working with all the teachers. They were truly amazing and so kind.”
- Diane T. from Alaska, 2007 Summer Program ***************************************************************************************
“Thank you for a great experience in China. The tours were great. I appreciated the travel time prior to teaching to adjust to the local time and the time to bond with the group. The school support exceeded my expectations. Everyone was very cooperative and willing to provide anything we needed.”
- Jason L. from California, 2007 Summer Program
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