Day in the Life
Below a 2010 Summer volunteer gives a brief overview of the conditions she faced everyday:
Daily Life
Housing:
The housing in China was a unique experience in which we were able to live in the same housing as the students. The first student dorms that we lived in were very minimal and rustic. When we first arrived, we were a little shocked at the stark difference between living conditions between the U.S. and China. Our dorm rooms consisted of five metal bunk beds, bamboo mats and pillows, mosquito nets, squat toilets, and many large insect friends. It was also a challenge to adjust to the heat and the humidity without air conditioning in our room, but over time we were able to sleep and live comfortably. We also had to hand wash our laundry in tubs that the school provided. Although it was a challenge to adjust to student living conditions in China, it gave us insight into the lives of the students we taught.
Food:
The food of China consists mainly of rice, vegetables, oil, pork and spices. Breakfast was usually baked bread, rice porridge, dumplings, noodle bowls or boiled eggs. We usually had many options for what to eat at lunch and dinner. Whether we went out to a restaurant or ate in the school cafeteria, there were always many vegetable dishes to choose from. Vegetables such as eggplant, cauliflower, bamboo shoots and potatoes took on a new personality in China, and were ordered at almost every meal. Tofu and pork were also cooked in many interesting and varied ways. Tofu came in many different shapes and forms and was usually fried, boiled or sautéed with vegetables. We also ate almost every imaginable part of a pig, including pure pork fat. Fish and chicken were usually on our menu at least once a week. It is recommended that you eat fish and chicken very slowly because the bones are never taken out in any dish you order with these meats. The spice and oil are what struck us as the most different from food in the United States. Most foods are very hot and spicy unless you adamantly specify that you want less spice. All foods are cooked in a tremendous amount of oil as well, and this may be a shock to your system. The food in China is an adventure that can be delightful when you embrace it.
Students:
The students were the most rewarding aspect of our WorldTeach experience. Although the students had many different personalities, ability levels and demeanors, they were always curious, warm, enthusiastic and friendly. Our first teaching site in Nanyue gave us our first impressions of Chinese students. These students were extremely shy when we first met them. Many students would not raise their hands, talk to each other or even answer a question in front of the class. However, with time, the students crawled out of their shells and were willing to share their lives and culture with us. Students participated in learning, but they also shared in all activities of our daily lives. They would eat with us, sing, dance, watch movies and play sports with us. We became fast friends with many of our students and built relationships and connections that we hope will last a very long time. Our second teaching site in ZhuZhou offered us many more opportunities and challenges. In this school placement, we were able to teach primary students, junior students and senior students. We also noticed a stark difference between our rural teaching site of Nanyue and this suburban city site. Many of the teachers encountered more discipline problems, but also higher level of English proficiency among their students. As teachers, it was our job to teach students about colloquial English and our culture -- but in actuality, the students perhaps ended up teaching us much more about friendship and understanding.