Gotoco

Really enjoyed my summer in China with Gotoco. The work was really meaningful and the locations were beautiful. The kids were very sweet and made it much more rewarding.

joined a program in Beijing working with Wall Street English and adult learners of English. While not directly teaching students, I was able to gain valuable insights into the teaching process. This program has benefitted me by giving me a glimpse into Chinese culture and life. I have met so many new people from all over the world. With some of the lower level students, it was very difficult to explain concepts in English to them, but through trying different ways and acting out words, I was able to become a better communicator and teacher. I think Gotoco will give you a valuable experience in China at very reasonable cost (there is only the cost of the plane ticket and visa), and is a great chance to explore China as a university student.

Really good way to see China would strongly recommend the experience to others.

Had some issues at the first camp I was at but Gotoco helped with my movement from this camp to another very quickly and smoothly. They tried their hardest to keep me in the area and when that wasn't possible sent me to a very nice location in Yangshuo.

Please tell us about some of your most enjoyable moments of the trip?

My most enjoyable moments were going to yangshuo for the first time with my school. The surrounding nature was beautiful. I also enjoyed going tea picking with my class at the school.

What was the best thing about your experience in China?

My favourite part of the experience was making friends with the Chinese councillors as well the foreign ones. Additionally I enjoyed bonding with the children at both of my school's.

Would you recommend participating to a friend and if so why?

Because experiencing Chiba is something I think more people should do. Whilst the first placement was not as described the program handled this problem fairly well in sending us to a new place.

How would you say the overall experience has benefitted you?

I have picked up a fair amount of Chinese by myself as the first school did not provide Chinese lessons. I have also gained valuable experience in teaching children which will be useful in future work.

Learning how to travel in China was one of the most important things I learned on this trip.
It's an overall good experience to be forced to take responsibility for your actions, especially while travelling. With the language barrier, it's important to be culturally aware but also forces one to step out of their comfort zone. There were some difficulties with communication, but solving the issues and surviving is just part of traveling sometimes.
Teaching was a great experience and I had great emotional support to get through, even when the materials got lost or didn't exist along the way. Even with the difficulties in management or curriculum, we were able to get through them and give the kids a great experience.
Riding motorbikes in Yangshuo was one of the greatest feelings I had on this trip to China. Nevermind going places, just having one's own bike and riding it wherever was very rewarding and made up for moments of the trip that were not as great.
I've made long lasting friends through the people in this program, something I didn't expect to do. The people in this program will forever be close to my heart.

I had the best summer and met amazing people. Residential summer camps in China are super fun to be at. Gotoco is a great company for the opportunity to go and teach English in China and get a TELF. Plus, the stay at Yangshou in the hostel was a great experience and such an interesting place to visit.

I don't regret going in the slightest! I loved my summer camp although, it was in it's first year, so it was a little unorganised at times but so much fun. Because my camp was so new, there were some issues with how gotoco advertised the experience and how the camp actually was and what the camp expected of us, so another gotoco participant emailed gotoco and we got most things sorted after a meeting with the camp director. It was no problem for me after that! My only problem is gotoco's emails being slow and there not being a phone number to call for questions. I waited about a week for replies and all other gotoco participants I talked to also had slow email responses also.

Despite this, gotoco is a great way to go to China in the summer. I got to China with the correct VISA, I had an amazing summer, learned so much and received a TEFL!

I did my placement in Beijing, China for four weeks helping out as a teaching assistant in Wall Street English. I would highly recommend trying to get a placement in a big city because there is so much more to explore. Beijing has the Great Wall and the Forbidden City both of which are excellent tourist attractions. Another benefit is that I have met so many new people from all over the world. On the teaching side of things, with some of the lower level students, it was very difficult to explain concepts in English to them, but through trying different ways and acting out words, I was able to become a better communicator and teacher. I think Gotoco will give you a valuable experience in China at very reasonable cost (there is only the cost of the plane ticket and visa), and is a great chance to explore China as a university student.