United Planet China Summer Program volunteers returned from their month-long teaching Quest in the rural Hunan province of China! The group lived at a schoolhouse and taught English and other topics to Chinese students. They also visited Beijing and the Great Wall of China, visited local markets, and made friends with the students and their families. Below, we’ve shared some photos and quotes from our wonderful group of volunteers.
The China Summer program that I was a part of was very eye-opening for me. Not only was it an educational trip, but also a social one. Being put in another country for a few weeks with other volunteers allowed us to become very close with each other.
-Catherine Zhang
The China Summer program might be the most unforgettable experience in my life. There were a lot of challenges on the way, especially during the teaching part. You would find it hard to communicate with the students because some of them were so shy and self-abased about their life…. At first I felt guilty that I could not help any better, but then I learned to accept and gave them my best wishes for their future. I need to thank my students for teaching me about life and giving me such valuable memories.
-Jiamin Liang
I’ve said this many times and I’ll say it again. Teaching is an amazing experience because you learn so much about yourself while doing it. You also begin to think of the subject matter in a bunch of different ways in order to reach students. In fact, I think participating in the China Summer Quest has secured my decision of becoming a teacher. Furthermore, the people you meet are all amazing. They also see the value in working abroad and it’s so cool to see their reasons, make friends and hang out.
-Jerry Sun
United Planet has helped me connect more with my Chinese roots and led me to mature in my own life by introducing me to students with whom I’ve forged connections that transcended age and background.
-Michelle Cheng
The hardest part of China Summer was saying goodbye to the school, to the kids and especially to all the other volunteers, whom I feel I now have an undeniable and special connection with. I feel certain that I will take part in the China Summer program again in the near future.
-Anna Dunlop
Thank you, China Summer volunteers, for all your hard work and enthusiasm. For more information about the program, visit our website here!
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
