Chinese language and Cultural Exchange Program

My experience with Edupal was pretty unique since I came to China in January of 2020; just about a week before the coronavirus pandemic caused many things to shut down.

Despite things being uncertain and scary in the world, I felt very safe and taken care of by my host family and Edupal. I had some health problems and my host family was quick to take me to the doctor and pay for my bills. I had some flight cancellations and EduPal gladly did the work of extending my visa for me.

During our time social distancing, the folks at EduPal were very adaptable and able to quickly find ways to change their program to be online. This kept us safe and also made sure we were still getting the benefits of the program. China as a country is very efficient in public health and safety, so we were all able to be back out safely exploring in no time.

I was able to go on two trips with Edupal as well as two trips with my host family.

Hiking in beautiful mountains, visiting the beach, taking classes in chinese painting, cooking, and kungfu, and singing at KTV are just a few of the great memories I’ve made here.

I am leaving China with many new friends, good connections and job offers if I ever want to come back and work full time, and a decent comprehension of Chinese language.

China really felt like home for 6 months and I will be waiting for the day I can come back to visit everyone!

As one of my best friends is a Chinese descendent, I'm always very curious and passionate about Chinese culture. When I get the chance to participate in this program, I'm very excited!

I arrived in Beijing two weeks before the Chinese New Year. I love the city and my host family. My host siblings are three and six-year-old, very active and smart girls. We warm up very quickly. 10 January, one week before the Chinese New Year, I joined the the whole family and travelled to host father's hometown in Sichuan, a city famous for pandas and hot-pot! I feel so lucky to have such a rich experience until the outbreak of COVID-19.

We didn't feel unsafe as we are very far away from the center of the outbreak. But all the new year events have to be cancelled. I'm always very postive. We take this indoor time to connect and know more about each other. I had very valuable time with my host children, introducing British culture and my culture in Cardiff. It's very interesting for me to learn Chinese culture from the kids. One of the books they shared to me is very interesting to me, a Journey to the West. I managed to find the English version of the book when I came back.

In middle February, I left my lovely Chinese family and came back to UK due to the national wide quarantine in China. Although I didn't finish the four-month as planned, it's still very valuable experience to me. And many thanks to EduPal China team. They have always been very supportive and understanding. Hopefully, I will join you again in the near future.

Things are very unusual recently. The pandemic has made our plan a lot more complicated than we expected.
I was matched up with a lovely family in January. The 6-year old is so active and smart. I feel very connected with the family and my host child. My arrival date should be in March. But unfortunately, it has to be postponed due to the outbreak of the virus.

I'm still very promising to come to China when the pandemic is over. Edu-Pal China has been offering me amazing online courses and events. As quarantine starts now in my city, the online events have been my best moment every week.

I enjoyed every experience I have with Edu-Pal China. Many thanks to Parry, who is always very considerate and patient for any questions I have. She keeps my updated about coming online events and checks how I like them. Many thanks to Sarah, who is very professional in her job and matched me up with a lovely family. And many thanks to other members with Edu-Pal China. I'm very looking forward to meeting you all in China when the pandemic is over!

I started out as an au pair with the intention of living in places such as Italy, Australia, etc. in order to broaden my horizons. When Sarah from Edu-Pal China reached out to me to join the program, I decided why not? I hadn't been to China before, knew nothing of its culture or the language that is spoken there, it would be an adventure! When I told my friends and family I was going to China, they were all extremely hesitant, telling me to be careful, that I wouldn't like the everyday life there, but it was just more reasons I wanted to go, to immerse myself in a place I wasn't comfortable in. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.

From the moment I agreed to join Edu-Pals until even today (long after I left the program), I have had endless support from those working at the company, making sure that I settled into my host family well, that I was adjusting to the culture shock (yes, there are a lot of things that the Chinese do differently than western cultures, but I was never forced to do anything I didn't want to do, which made it more enjoyable to see the differences). As someone who has worked as an au pair in other countries, one of my favorite things about this program is its emphasis on the exchanging of cultures. Not only are there events that you and your family participate in learning about other countries as you teach English to your host kids, you also have access to Mandarin classes and events that help you become immersed in China's rich culture. In the nine months I was with the program (I was originally supposed to be there for just six months, but I extended my stay and would have stayed longer if not for a previous commitment), the other Edu-Pals and I participated in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, learned how to dance in Hanfu, made various dishes and traveled to Chaozhou and Guilin, to name a few! You also have time to go do some exploring on your own, I was able to do some day trips to Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong with some of my friends!

The best part about this program though is the people I met. I will forever be grateful to my host family for taking me in and showing me their home country, to my host sisters who we've created a special bond, the members of Edu-Pal who still keep in contact with me (answering all my Mandarin questions I have, checking in on me), and the other Edu-Pals who I have only met a few months ago, but feel like I have known them for a lifetime. Edu-Pal China has given me lifelong friendships with crazy stories from China to reminisce about when we visit each other in each of our own little corner of the world, and I know they will give you the same opportunity as well. I highly recommend Edu-Pal China, I myself can't wait to go back and visit!

Coming to live in Shenzhen, China for 6 months was one of the best decisions in my life. It was the first time i visited Asia so i was very excited to experience a completly different life. Being a part of the Edu-Pal program enables you you learn chinese, to try traditional chinese activities like dancing or cooking and most importantly it makes you feel as if you were a real local. During the program i had the chance to meet amazing people and make friendships for a life time. I got to see beautiful places in China which were always only dreams and i could learn about a very different culture. Living with a chinese host family helps you understand all the traditions, practice the language and gives you a feeling of gaining a second home and family. While being here you will always feel welcome and Edu-Pal will make sure that these are the best days of your life.

My adventure in Shenzhen started almost two months ago. It was my first time ever going to China so of course, I was really stressed and nervous the first days I was here. But very quickly it became the greatest adventure I ever lived!
Taking part in Edu-pal China is allowing me to experience so many new things.
I live in a very kind and welcoming Chinese family so I can see how is everyday life in China. I get to spend moments with the family as I was also a part of it and live really good moments with them.
Thanks to the program I have also the opportunity to take part in cultural events and trips in China, so I'm able to learn more about this country and to see the beautiful landscapes it has to offer! So far I was able to learn about Chinese cultural specificities and the Feng shui art. I also learned Chinese traditional dance and got a beautiful hanfu. And while I only have been here for less than two months I have already been able to visit a typical Hakka Village, to travel around the Guadong Province for China's national week and in the Guangzi region with the other edu-pals. I have amazing memories of all those stunning places.
Every week I also have the possibility to learn mandarin for free thanks to classes provided by Edu-pal program. The edu-pals spend a lot of time together here so I never felt alone since I meet them.
Overall I truly enjoy my time in China and I don't regret my decision to come here at all!

From being just a tourist 2 years ago, I never would have thought I would be back here in China, living with such a warm local family or meeting the most amazing people from all around the world, which are now friends for life! The Edu-Pal company has been outstanding with my stay so far, especially since this is my first time doing anything like this. The company is always there for you no matter what you need, from helping with family problems to adjusting to the culture shock, I really don’t think I could have done this type of experience without the company or the amazing people I’m sharing this experience with!!
By having culture classes every week, this has given me the chance to do things that I probably wouldn’t have done without the company! Weekly Mandarin classes has made living here even more exciting as you can try your Chinese skills out with the locals, and the people are always there to help you!
This really has been one of the best things I have decided to do, as I’m learning more about the culture day by day and meeting more and more amazing people as the time goes on. I couldn't recommend the company more!!!

I arrived in Shenzhen exactly 2 months ago to take part in the EPC program. I was a bit nervous at first, since it was my first time ever in Asia and I didn’t know anyone here, but now I’m so glad I got on that plane! I was lucky enough to get along very well with my Chinese family from the start -sure, there are many cultural differences, but everytime we encountered a problem the EPC staff was quick to help us solve it. I completely fell in love with the country, the people, the traditions and the other people in the program will quickly become your second family! Every month we take part in different activities and trips around the country to explore and learn about the culture and history of China, but we also have enough time to go out and have fun with our friends -your Instagram profile will benefit big time! I’m so thankful for the opportunity to experience China in such an authentic and fun way -I couldn’t recommend the EPC program more!