Just do it.

The program is fantastic. Yes, it's in a very rural area, and the living conditions and standards are not equal to those at home. However, once you adjust to the school, you'll absolutely love the program. I met some amazing Chinese volunteers as well as foreign ones, and my students were simply fantastic. They spoke better English than I had expected, were attentive, and very welcoming. Many of them talked to me outside of class and I bonded with them even if I didn't speak much Chinese. You could tell that the program really has had an impact on the community, and that you, too, are making an impact as you volunteer in the school.

United Planet was very organized and reliable; the program coordinator was extremely nice; both the foreign and the Chinese volunteers bonded with each other. At night, we would all go out and play Chinese mafia and look at the stars. For the first time in my life I've seen shooting stars, and there are more stars than one can count (not a hyperbole). It's a very serene, quiet environment, but with the students it becomes a very lively and robust. The program is great for anyone that wants to immerse themselves in the Chinese culture and especially those who want to become a teacher. It really is quite life-changing, so if you're thinking about doing it, my advice is to just do it - you wont' regret it.