Mandarin Class Program in Shanghai

My experience as an au-pair was a 4 out of 5. I have been here from the end of February till the beginning of July. Getting a student X2 visa with the right documents provided by the school and the company, makes it all a lot easier. So don’t worry too much about the visa, just look at what you need, where to make an appointment, and in my case, Wanderlust helped me a lot with questions about my visa. So that was really reassuring. Because that is a very important part of course. When I finally arrived in Shanghai I was escorted by one of the employees of Wanderlust, to the family’s home from the airport by metro. And a few days later I received an introduction tour from the company Wanderlust with some other new students. We went to the Shanghai museum, which was my favorite part. The next few weeks I had to wait till my classes started and I was getting to know my family, the teacher at the language school, Mr. Alex, was such a wonderful person and teacher. He was always ready to help me if I had any questions. Yes, even if they were stupid questions. And their headmaster was also always ready to help you, I could see that they all worked hard and also cared about their students. And as for the family, I am legit so incredibly lucky to have met this family. They are amazing persons and made me into a better person, they are always working hard and trying to improve themselves and their skills. So they influenced me to do the same. While teaching their 4 girls English and playing with them, I tried to ask them how I could improve. And they always came back with helpful feedback. It is not always like this, but they really treated me like their own family member, I love them, and I hope that if you choose this program, you will be as lucky as me to find such a great, warm-hearted family. So the school and family were so great, I had to travel a long time 3 days a week (about 2 hours) to get from their home to school, but for me that was totally worth it. I made some great friends at the language school and a few of them I will never forget. For me this program I was, working hard, learning hard, on my off days either resting, learning or hanging out with friends, and overall a great, great time. Everybody has their own priorities, for me it was learning Chinese and becoming a better teacher, person, etc. Somebody who you can rely on. I gave it a 4 out of 5 because things like communication can always be better, so I am honest while writing reviews. I would recommend this program for people who love to be put in completely different environments, cultures, work ethic, etcetera. And be sure to look at what kind of family you will be staying with, because that is in my opinion the most important part in deciding how you will feel about this program. What do they expect you to teach the children? For how many hours? How far is the school from your home? What will you do with the children in their free time? Etc. I wish you the best of luck if you decide to do this program, good luck and have fun!

The Wanderlust Culture Home-stay English Teaching Program, spanning five months in China, offered a remarkable cultural exchange experience. Tasked with teaching English to two charming children, I also immersed myself in learning the Chinese language, culture, and lifestyle. The host family, including Mr. Lou, was incredibly welcoming, making me feel like a part of their family.

The program facilitated a true two-way cultural exchange and provided a supportive environment for teaching and learning. Exploring local traditions and cuisine was a highlight, adding to the richness of the experience. However, the program could improve by offering more structured English teaching resources.

Overall, this program is an excellent opportunity for cultural immersion and contributing to the educational journey of young minds. It's a deeply enriching experience that I highly recommend to anyone looking to explore Chinese culture while making a meaningful educational impact.