It has been my honour to present educational assignments five times in Jiangsu through ChinaConnection2018, and I look forward to continuing this professionally and culturally rich experience in the future. Introducing Canadian teaching strategies through JESIE affords the unique opportunity to learn and grow while forging lifelong connections and friendships. I highly recommend this cultural exchange for all teachers. Amelia Vanderwal, Participant, July 2015 to 2019
I had an amazing summer, but specifically wanted to thank you both for the great experience that I had working in China with the Jiangsu Dept. of Education. I really enjoyed teaching in China. The teachers that I worked with were amazing and the curriculum was so user friendly! I really appreciate all the time and effort the China Connection put into creating all of the documents that made my travel and teaching experience go so smoothly. G. Martindale SD 71, Cumberland B.C., participant July 2016
I had such an amazing experience this past summer, that I can’t wait to go back to China next year. So, as soon as the applications are available, I would love it if you would send me one. K. Eisenberg,Wisconsin, participant July 2015, 2016, 2018
I just want to thank you both for putting together the amazing teaching experience in China… I loved every moment of it!! Our group felt like the “Dream Team” and everyday we were grateful for working together. The hardest part was saying goodbye to our students and each other.
M.Dent, SD 68 Nanaimo/Ladysmith B.C., participant July 2014
I will definitely be a repeat…already planning for next year!
I know now why so many people return. I kept saying to myself, “Oh I would do this again next time.”
C. Cryer, retired, Simcoe County DSB, participant July 2013
What an amazing adventure. I loved every minute of it. I have to thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience something so richly rewarding. I felt very well prepared. I also felt very secure in the supportive organizational backing of Lauren and Hilda. Knowing that China Connection has such a close relationship with Jiangsu education ministry and that the goals of both organizations is the successful outcome of the program for all participants (teachers and students) is very reassuring.
Even though I have never been able to attend the in-service meetings because of geographic distance, I have always been provided with all the information and support require to make me feel well prepared. Electronic medium is a marvellous thing. Lauren and Hilda are always just a phone call away.
I would recommend joining a contingent of China Connection teachers to anybody with a spirit of adventure, a yen for learning and a willingness to experience a different culture.
J. Neall, retired, Keewatine-Patricia District School Board, participant July 2010, 2011
This was a truly enlightening experience. Everything was so easy, thanks to the excellent organization by both of you. The curriculum was great and everybody I met was very friendly. I would definitely like to take part again.
C. Windover, Peel District School Board, participant July 2011,2012 , 2014 and 2015
This was without a doubt, the best organized educational experience and preparation I have ever had, in terms of my professional growth and development and my career spans 37 years.
M. Tennant, Toronto District School Board, participant July 2012,2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016
I must say it was a rich and mind expanding experience, an opportunity to overcome many fears about travelling to China and an incentive to visit my brother in Beijing afterwards. I am most grateful for this opportunity. Thank you for all the two of you did to prepare us for this incredible journey. It was indeed a trip of a lifetime for me.
A. Burchat, York Catholic District School Board, participant July 2013
I have travelled to many countries and can honestly say that my summer teaching and travelling in China was the most enjoyable and fascinating trip ever. Every part of the experience was better than I had expected. China Connection provided an excellent and easy to follow curriculum, the Chinese hosts were entertaining and a great source of information, the food was interesting but always delicious and my fellow teachers were great company. I really felt I got to know the Chinese teachers and learned a lot about how they teach and my own teaching practice. Best of all I was provided with ample opportunities to explore China both during the teaching sessions and after.
R. Grant, Calgary Separate School District, participant July 2008 and 2009
I just want to thank you both so much for giving me the opportunity to participate in this project. It was a huge highlight of my life. I loved visiting Shanghai and other Chinese cities, but what really touched me was the contact with other teachers (the Canadians and the Chinese). The two weeks went by way too fast and the last day it was so hard to say goodbye. Your curriculum is descriptive and easy to follow with more than enough lessons for the 2 weeks.
C. Garcia, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, participant 2014
I had a very rewarding four week cultural teaching experience in China. I felt very fortunate to have the opportunity of meeting and sharing with international colleagues. The host communities were very supportive and accommodating.
M. Campbell, London District School Board, participant July 2007
If you are preparing to say, “Yes! to China Connection, you are on the brink of making one of the best decisions of your life. My husband and I have taught in China twice with Lauren Tindall and Hilda Michel of China Connection. The first trip was so amazing we had to go back, but had serious doubts the second trip could equal the first. We were wrong. The second trip was just as fabulous as the first. Everything was just as we had imagined and more – a well-designed, easy to use Canadian curriculum; the patience, expertise and congeniality of our leaders and curriculum designers, Lauren and Hilda; Maureen, the best and most accommodating travel agent ever; the great company of the other adventurous Canadian teachers; the fascinating sights, sounds and culture of China; wonderful hosts in amazing cities; and best of all the exchange of ideas with teachers in Jiangsu province. It was a true life experience, filled with individual moments etched upon our hearts for ever!
V. Leveille, Grand Erie District School Board, participant July 2003 and 2007
I just loved it again. I continue to learn new things about China and about myself. I am more confident and more empathetic with my new Canadian students because I have been the visible minority with few language skills and a handful of coping mechanisms. This program is great because it is with adults, so we can have adult conversations; I am not a tourist I am under cultural immersion. I learn more about life in China and it really does dispel some of the mystery about the Chinese people. It really shows that we are more alike than dislike, regardless of politics.
D. Goz, Thames Valley District School Board, participant July 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013
GO TO CHINA!! Go with an open mind and heart, a sense of adventure, and enjoy every minute of the incredible experience!
My sincere thanks. Without you I doubt China would have been my destination this summer, and what I would have missed! The great prep you gave us made not only the teaching experience wonderful, but really enhanced every moment I spent travelling afterwards.
B. Mckenzie, Waterloo Region District School Board, participant July 2011 and 2012
I had amazing and very rewarding experiences in Wuxi and Rugao. I couldn’t have worked with a better group of teachers from Canada. The people that I met in China were so welcoming and charming. I still rave to my friends and colleagues about my China Connection experiences.
D. Chong, Toronto District School Board, participant July 2009
Go with an open mind and be prepared for an amazing experience. China is full of surprises and each and every day was a day to remember. Teaching Chinese teachers is every teacher’s dream… an entire class of eager, courteous, gracious learners. Our host colleagues were extremely accommodating and the curriculum provided by the China Connection is outstanding. Enjoy!
K. G. Walker, Grand Erie Distrist School Board, participant July 2007
I want to thank you both for giving me the opportunity to go to China to teach. It was an amazing experience. Your suggestions about what simple materials to take were very helpful and having done some preparation before leaving home was a great help. I didn’t have to spend all evening preparing for the next day.
P. Hurley, retired, St. Laurent, Quebec, participant July 2009
I would have to say that my experience was one of a kind. Not only did the Chinese participants learn about the English language, but I learned so much about the Chinese language, culture and society.
K. Damant, Halton District School Board, participant July 2007
I had an amazing time and felt you really prepared us both before we went, and once we arrived. It was an amazing experience, and I’m glad I had this opportunity.
S. Licastro, Upper Grand District School Board, participant July 2008
I loved the teaching, the interaction with the students and getting to know Chinese people. I learned a lot about China. I am so glad I decided to come! I was a bit nervous at first, but now feel very fortunate to have this experience.
C. Stewart, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, participant July 2008