Amazing Volunteer experience in Xi'an, China

The first day of our volunteer teaching experience in Xi'an we were personally escorted from our homestay to the school by the Head Teacher so we would know how to make the 45 minute commute by Metro. Thank goodness, we were good to go after that. Well, we all were not sure what to expect as we were handed off the to Kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms. The children LOVED us!!! They were so adorable and enduring and wanted to touch and hug us an say hello. The teachers spoke no English and were mostly not sure what to do with us. So the first day was a little stressful as we each taught a 15 minute impromptu English lesson. We all thought they would have a lesson plan prepared for us, but we made our own. At this young age and beginning levels it was just about having fun. We completed out first day and returned to our gracious homestay hosts where we had a dumpling making lesson!! So much fun. All I can say is that as the day went by we became more comfortable with the children, teachers, food, culture and City. It was definitely a life changing experience. IVHQ provide great training and preparation support while the Local Team offered a place to live and advice on culture and sightseeing . This experience is not for the faint of heart, you need a spirit of adventure and to roll with a new environment and culture (no one speaks English, but it is okay. A little Chinese language goes a long way.) The project was all about the children and giving them an advantage to learn English. I am so happy I went through with this project , it was very rewarding and such a learning experience for me. Be brave!!!!