If someone had told me a year ago that I would be a teacher in China I would have told them they are crazy, but here I am. I think it has been the best decision I have made in my life. I have learnt so many new things about myself and have really benefitted from this experience. No. 42 middle school has been very welcoming and friendly throughout my stay here. Whenever I have had an issue or problem people have been very accessible and helpful. They have made my stay in a new country a great deal easier. I didn’t know what to expect when I first arrived. Seeing China on the TV, it shows Beijing and Shanghai with its tall buildings and vast amounts of people, but Shijiazhuang is much different from this. Shijiazhuang is the real China. I have grown to love Shijiazhuang so much, I now call it home.

Teaching has been a personal challenge as this was all new to me, but I have grown as a person and I now feel very comfortable in a classroom in front of students. I enjoy teaching the children at this school; they are extremely intelligent and very enthusiastic to learn. It makes me feel privileged to have taught here.

I have enjoyed experiencing new tastes; I have tried food that I would never dream of eating at home. It has opened my mind to new experiences. I have also seen things I never thought I would in my life; like the Great Wall of China, beautiful temples, amazing architecture as well as the opportunity to travel abroad, which I would have never had in England. I thought I would miss England more but China has been very accommodating. Don’t get me wrong, I have missed English food such as cheese, sausages, bacon etc, but I have been able to find a few things to keep me going while being in China . The hardest thing is not seeing my family and close friends but with thanks to modern technology I have been able to keep in touch via Skype and email.

Another thing China has changed is my love life, I have met someone out here who I know I will be with in the future. I believe it was fate that we were placed at the same school and I have No. 42 middle school to thank for this. I am extremely happy that I came to this school to teach and will be forever grateful for the great changes it has brought to my life. Thank you.