Fikret Halilov joined our projects at Youcan Education in Suichang in the summer of 2017. Please read on to view their feedback:

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

Cycling around the town, making friends with the host family, having classes with students who enjoyed learning, chasing kids around during break times. On my last dinner with my host family, my host grandma made me a dish from my home country of Azerbaijan: I found that to be one of the most touching things.

Which were the highlights of the lessons, cultural excursions and outdoor activities?

Visiting a gold mine, and seeing beautiful mountains was definitely something I enjoyed. My boss was an absolute pleasure to work with throughout, and his guidance helped us all through so much.

How would you say the overall experience has benefited you?

Teaching groups of wildly varying ages has definitely increased my teaching experience and widened my skill set, especially at harder times with rowdier classes when my abilities to keep control were most challenged. Additionally, it was great seeing a side of China that I was not so used to, and I am glad I made the trip.

What was the best thing about your experience in China?

I just enjoyed being out of the large city and seeing how people lived in these smaller towns. It also helped me greatly with my Chinese speaking abilities.

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

If my friend has an adventurous and pedagogical side, I would definitely say that this is the perfect experience for them.