Program Co-Director Introduction: Jonathan
First and foremost, get pumped – it’s going to be a great trip! China is an amazing country, and by far one of my favorite places to travel because it is so expansive—not only in terms of its actual area, but also its culture. Your China experience will undoubtedly be unique, safe and exciting.
A little about myself: I grew up a Bostonian, though I currently reside in Chicago. My work is mainly freelance, meaning I wear a bunch of hats: I am an ESL and chess teacher, writer/editor/marketer, and I also study and perform improvisation. I’m currently trying to be published as a cruciverbalist (Google that one!), and I will hopefully be attending graduate school in the Fall (fingers crossed) for an M.A. in International Communication. I’ve traveled to nearly 20 countries throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and started about the same age as all of you…so watch out, travel can be addictive!
My personal China experience began in Fuzhou, Fujian, where I taught English to nearly every age group. I also volunteered at an orphanage on a weekly basis for over a year. During that time I personally fundraised enough
money to support the surgeries necessary to repair the cleft palate of a beautiful baby girl named, Zhu Xi (she has since been adopted by an American family). Suffice to say, China has had an undeniable impact on my life, and
I hope it has an equally inspiring impact on yours too!
My advice to you on this trip: be patient and prepared; practice your Mandarin; trust your classmates; be responsible; enjoy yourself; have an open mind (read: try to understand/relate before forming opinions); take
tons of pictures; try new things (eating weird foods, drinking tea, learning local dialects, etc.); challenge yourself; deepen your experiences by the studying historical/modern contexts; keep a journal; ask questions, questions, questions.
I can’t wait to meet all you!
Jonathan