Well I'm back in the good ole US of A now and I've had some time to reflect on my trip a bit. Mostly in the mornings because I couldn't shake the jetlag so I woke up at 6:30 for the first 4 or 5 mornings I was home. The trip was so good. It was definitely an experience I wouldn't trade for anything and would do again in a heartbeat if the opportunity presented itself. That being said, if you would have told me back in January when I first started going through the application process that I would be going to Asia and that I would have been teaching and preparing English classes on my own I don't think I would have signed up for the trip. I think I am actually a little thankful for the uncertainty that I had going into the trip because if I would have known all the details of what I would be doing, there is a very good chance that I would have backed out.
I feel like I grew in so many different aspects of my life. It was my first experience being fully emerged in a different culture so obviously that was a huge adjustment, but there is so much more. I have compiled a top 10 list to convey all that I got from the experience.
Top 10 Things I Learned in Hong Kong/China
10. Middle schoolers are the same regardless of culture
We all remember middle school. What an awful time. Middle schoolers are angsty and insecure. This is the same everywhere. They are shy and embarrass easily, but once they are comfortable with you, they are sweet and genuinely want to learn.
9. How to navigate mass transit systems
When I first got to Hong Kong, I thought their mass transit system was the most complicated thing ever and that I would never understand it. However, after 6 weeks, it makes perfect sense. The subway, although incredibly crowded, is the easiest way to get from point A to point B, and if you can find a subway station you are never truly "lost". I now feel like any other city will be a cake walk.
8. Sarcasm doesn't transfer
I learned this very quickly when spending time with my high school students. They took everything I said so seriously. It makes sense though, sarcasm is mainly picked up by the tone of your voice, and in a language that is entirely tonal, it would be difficult to change the tone of your voice to create sarcasm. Don't be sarcastic around Chinese people. Except Albert of course.
7. Language is not a barrier
There is always a way to communicate. Facial expressions, body language, and especially just flailing your arms to make a point always works. If all else fails just play pictionary.
6. Avoiding conflict only creates conflict
I feel like this is so obvious but it's just not something that we as people are not good at. If there's a problem the sooner you address it the better. Otherwise it will get worse. Common sense, but so difficult to follow.
5. I do not want to be a teacher
I have such a new respect for teachers. Lesson planning is hard! And getting kids to listen to you? I never figured that out. I do not have a "teacher voice" and I do not know how to discipline children. Especially when they don't speak my language. Teaching is definitely not my calling, but I learned so much from it this summer.
4. Communication
Living in such close quarters with 9 of my closest friends, it was essential to be able to communicate with them. This goes along with not avoiding conflict, but also to just be able to speak openly with each other about what was on our minds was incredible. I think that will be one of the things I miss most, the team chemistry and comradery and the open lines of communication.
3. Chopsticks
I miss chopsticks! I feel like I want to use them in America too! At first I dropped food all over the place at every meal, but by the end of the trip I felt like a pro. Ok, I still dropped food, but I do that with forks too so no big deal.
2. How to talk to anyone
When you are a foreigner in Hong Kong, it seems like everyone wants to talk to you to practice their English. We encountered so many different people and were forced to talk with so many students/teachers/parents/random strangers on the subway that I don't think I will ever be afraid to talk to a stranger again. At least here they will understand everything I'm trying to say, that should make it about 100 times easier.
1. God is doing things in Asia
Christianity is spreading in Asia, even though it is not very welcome. Churches are growing and it is becoming more and more accepted as a religion. This is so encouraging to see. I am so thankful that I got to be a part of the Christian movement in Asia and I will continue to keep it in my prayers. I would definitely encourage everyone out there to do the same because prayer moves things.
I feel like there is so much more that I could say about this trip, but it is just so difficult to type it all out. I would love to talk to you about it though so drop me a line or send me an email or something. Thank you all so much for all your support during this time in my life. Thank you for your prayers, they have meant so much to me. I have loved being able to share this with you through this blog!
Last day of School!
Today was my last day teaching. I am relieved but sad because I leave on Sunday. I will be sad to leave Hong Kong.
The last few days of teaching were awesome! I think I finally figured out how to effectively teach middle schoolers and that was such a great discovery. Well except I definitely can't take credit for it, all credit goes to the brilliant Rachel and Roper. I stole Rachel's lesson plan for yesterday and was completely floored by how well it worked. I put all the students into small groups and made everything a competition. I also put all the trouble makers into one group and made Roper sit with them the whole time. I think Roper totally bonded with them, as if he identified with them because I'm sure he was a cut up in middle school. Wednesday, Thursday, and today were all awesome days and I'm so glad to end this experience on a high note because after having a couple bad days in a row I was starting to feel discouraged.
Tonight we have our farewell dinner in the Gold Coast and then we will go to the beach with some of our Hong Kong friends to say goodbye. I am so excited because Mandy, my friend from the mainland, has come to visit for our last few days here. It is so fun because she's never been to Hong Kong so we get to show her around for a change! I keep forgetting that she speaks Cantonese though, so I get worried when she goes out by herself but she reminds me that she can communicate with people if she gets lost whereas I cannot. That would make a difference. Tomorrow I think we will take her to the harbor so she can see the beautiful view and we can say goodbye to the view.
I think this will be my last post from Hong Kong. Thank you so much for reading and for praying and for emailing me. I have loved sharing this with you all and I can't wait to tell you more stories in person. See you soon!!
The last few days of teaching were awesome! I think I finally figured out how to effectively teach middle schoolers and that was such a great discovery. Well except I definitely can't take credit for it, all credit goes to the brilliant Rachel and Roper. I stole Rachel's lesson plan for yesterday and was completely floored by how well it worked. I put all the students into small groups and made everything a competition. I also put all the trouble makers into one group and made Roper sit with them the whole time. I think Roper totally bonded with them, as if he identified with them because I'm sure he was a cut up in middle school. Wednesday, Thursday, and today were all awesome days and I'm so glad to end this experience on a high note because after having a couple bad days in a row I was starting to feel discouraged.
Tonight we have our farewell dinner in the Gold Coast and then we will go to the beach with some of our Hong Kong friends to say goodbye. I am so excited because Mandy, my friend from the mainland, has come to visit for our last few days here. It is so fun because she's never been to Hong Kong so we get to show her around for a change! I keep forgetting that she speaks Cantonese though, so I get worried when she goes out by herself but she reminds me that she can communicate with people if she gets lost whereas I cannot. That would make a difference. Tomorrow I think we will take her to the harbor so she can see the beautiful view and we can say goodbye to the view.
I think this will be my last post from Hong Kong. Thank you so much for reading and for praying and for emailing me. I have loved sharing this with you all and I can't wait to tell you more stories in person. See you soon!!
Lost in Hong Kong!
Well I am now entering my final week in Hong Kong... you would think I would have navigating this city under control, but apparently I don't. I am losing track of the amount of times I have gotten lost this week. I think the total may be up to 5 by now. Although let me clear, I have always been fully confident that I could get home, I just have been slightly less confident on where my final destination was. I think it is mostly due to the fact that we have been getting riskier in our methods of transportation. Towards the beginning of the trip we would play it safe and generally just stick to the subway which is super easy to navigate, but now we are branching out and trying buses and cabs and such and it is just ending badly. It is always a fun experience though, very adventurous, and when we find our way again, very accomplished.
Other than getting lost, I have been extremely busy with teaching and lesson planning. This past week was probably the busiest week yet, and this week should be exactly the same if not busier because it is our last week and we will be trying to cram as much fun in on top of all our work as possible. I'm excited and I am anticipating not a lot of sleep. You're only in Hong Kong once right? Maybe not.
My class is crazy. Friday was my best day yet, everything I had planned went incredibly smoothly, the kids were interested and even quiet sometimes! Today, not so much. Today was basically a disaster. At one point I just gave up and sat at my desk playing music while the kids through paper airplanes across the class. I regained control somewhat after that, but it was so overwhelming. I have what I think is a great idea for tomorrow and the next day, so pray that things go a little better than they did today.
Also, as it is my last week in HK, if anybody has any requests that they would like me to pick up while I'm here you should definitely speak now or forever hold your peace.
Random side note: I am sitting in the common room now with Rebecca because we are done teaching for the day and she is on Facebook. She made the hilarious observation that all our "People You May Know" on Facebook are Chinese. I would call that a successful summer.
Other than getting lost, I have been extremely busy with teaching and lesson planning. This past week was probably the busiest week yet, and this week should be exactly the same if not busier because it is our last week and we will be trying to cram as much fun in on top of all our work as possible. I'm excited and I am anticipating not a lot of sleep. You're only in Hong Kong once right? Maybe not.
My class is crazy. Friday was my best day yet, everything I had planned went incredibly smoothly, the kids were interested and even quiet sometimes! Today, not so much. Today was basically a disaster. At one point I just gave up and sat at my desk playing music while the kids through paper airplanes across the class. I regained control somewhat after that, but it was so overwhelming. I have what I think is a great idea for tomorrow and the next day, so pray that things go a little better than they did today.
Also, as it is my last week in HK, if anybody has any requests that they would like me to pick up while I'm here you should definitely speak now or forever hold your peace.
Random side note: I am sitting in the common room now with Rebecca because we are done teaching for the day and she is on Facebook. She made the hilarious observation that all our "People You May Know" on Facebook are Chinese. I would call that a successful summer.
Youngest group
So many pictures like this were taken. I love the little boy in the front. I named him Cyrus.
Practicing my Cantonese at the night class.
Teaching!
Night class!
We're back!
To Hong Kong, that is.
Let's talk about China.
We were there for 11 days so forgive me if I can't remember the order of some events or if this entry just seems like one big jumbled mess.
There was a typhoon that was supposed to hit the day we left Hong Kong to travel by ferry boat to the mainland. Seems like an adventure right!? Well it was underwhelming. I was pressured into taking Dramamine because apparently everyone on this team gets motion sickness. So we all took loads of pills (just kidding) and embarked. The water was a little rough, but not bad. I don't even think it was raining. I was drowsy. When we arrived we were welcomed by our wonderful translators/hosts/friends Hilda, Gloria, and Mandy. We drove to the church that we stayed at for the rest of the time. It was a large building, very tall, and we stayed on the fifth floor. No elevators. 96 stairs.
Our meals were all prepared for us by a cook that lived at the church. They were all so delicious. We got to eat lots and lots of veggies which I had been craving and I was so relieved that we didn't have seafood at all while there. I was getting so tired of eating so much strange seafood in Hong Kong that it was a nice change of pace. Unfortunately, about half our team fell due to stomach troubles and they were pretty much out of commission for a good 3 days or so. Thankfully my iron stomach was fine.
I loved how structured everything was in China. When we arrived, Hilda gave us all a printed schedule of everyday we were there broken out as to what was expected of us every hour of everyday. I love structure! It was so nice compared to all the uncertainty that we deal with in Hong Kong. Everyday we would wake up and have breakfast at 8:30. Usually Rebecca, Kristen, Rachel, and I would make a McDonald's coffee run in the morning before breakfast, and a couple times we bought our own breakfast from vendors on the street. It was awesome and so cheap. After breakfast we would have an hour or so for team time, as well as some time set aside for planning for classes. Lunch was at noon and then the students arrived at the church around 2. We ran VBS style classes, which wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it worked out fairly well. There were 90 students total and they were broken up into 3 groups by age. The youngest group was 5-7 years, then 8-11, then 12-18. The most challenging thing was how to present the same material to all age groups and still have it hold their interest. I led the music class. The youngest kids were so easy because even though they couldn't read and they didn't have any idea what they were singing, they tried so hard and they would always do the motions. The oldest group was the easiest to communicate with and they were so good, but I could tell how disinterested they were in singing the same songs that the little kids were, so I had to mix it up a little bit. We sang for about half the class and then we would play some sort of game like musical chairs or something. They loved musical chairs because the first time we played, the coolest kid in the class named Bruce Lee got up and started playing the guitar instead of me playing music off of my ipod. In addition to Bruce Lee there was also a Michael Jackson (who could actually moonwalk, the day we did the story of Peter walking on water, MJ moonwalked on water) and Jackie Chan. These three boys were so funny and so helpful with translating stuff because their English was really good. The middle aged kids were the worst. They were so out of control and I had no idea how to keep their attention. We would play games but they would just yell and terrorize each other. Especially the one kid that I nicknamed Tom Riddle. Once, when playing musical chairs, he ended up winning, but all the kids were complaining about how he had been cheating the whole time. I was confused because I thought I had been paying attention the whole time, but when we played again I watched him closer. He would, very subtly, but very effectively, shove, drag, throw little children out of the chair before he sat down in it. I'm not sure how he did it without them getting upset or anything which is why I named him Tom Riddle because I'm pretty sure he was manipulating them using dark magic. The one way to get the middle kids to focus was to just ignore them and start singing. For whatever reason that always worked. They would stop screaming and just join in the song. I liked that about them.
The first day we taught classes we realized that only about half of the students had English names. So the next day, Adam and I took to naming all the ones that didn't have English name. It was awesome. It was so easy to remember their names after that, because I had named them in the first place! Except there were a few that I could never remember, and I could tell that they were very offended when I forgot because I was the one who picked it in the first place. I wonder if Adam (Bible Adam, not team member Adam) ever forgot the names of the animals he named when he was in the Garden.
I roomed with Catherine and Mandy at the church and I'm so glad I did. Mandy and I became really good friends. She is starting her 3rd year of college in Jiangmen and she's studyng international trade business. She also loves Spanish so she thought my Spanish Bible was awesome. She taught me some Cantonese and every night before going to bed she would come to me with a list of questions about the English language that she encountered in that day and I would go over everything with her. Most of them were just words she didn't understand, but it was so much fun trying to explain some of the English slang she overheard us using when talking with each other. So now we have our lives all planned out- next summer we will both get an internship is Spain (don't worry, Amy it won't be during your wedding) and then when we graduate we will both move to Hong Kong together. Ok, so it's a long shot, but at least I have options.
In the evenings, I taught an adult Bible study/English class with Luke. There were 3 college-ish aged girls that showed up regularly. I think this was my favorite part of the trip. We didn't do a whole lot of lesson planning, but we mostly just came and talked about whatever they wanted to talk about. Generally some stupid aspect of American culture that they were curious about, and then we would try to explain how even though that is an American cultural norm, it wasn't necessarily the way that Christians were called to live their lives. It was so much fun to get to know them and to build relationships with them. I feel like that's what I was hoping for when I signed up for this.
That's about it for our mainland trip, that I can remember anyway... I would post pictures, but I'm not typing this on my computer so I don't have access to all my pictures, but within 24 hours I will post some. That is a Laura McLeran promise.
As far as the rest of my time in Hong Kong, I will be teaching a group of about 18 middle school students every morning from 9:15 until noon. I started this morning, and it was great! The students were shy at first but by the end of the class they were interacting really well. My lesson was way too easy for them, but I'll be ready for tomorrow with something challenging. I'm excited to work with the same students everyday for the next 2 weeks.
I hope all is well back home, thanks so much for the continued prayers. It means so much to me!
Let's talk about China.
We were there for 11 days so forgive me if I can't remember the order of some events or if this entry just seems like one big jumbled mess.
There was a typhoon that was supposed to hit the day we left Hong Kong to travel by ferry boat to the mainland. Seems like an adventure right!? Well it was underwhelming. I was pressured into taking Dramamine because apparently everyone on this team gets motion sickness. So we all took loads of pills (just kidding) and embarked. The water was a little rough, but not bad. I don't even think it was raining. I was drowsy. When we arrived we were welcomed by our wonderful translators/hosts/friends Hilda, Gloria, and Mandy. We drove to the church that we stayed at for the rest of the time. It was a large building, very tall, and we stayed on the fifth floor. No elevators. 96 stairs.
Our meals were all prepared for us by a cook that lived at the church. They were all so delicious. We got to eat lots and lots of veggies which I had been craving and I was so relieved that we didn't have seafood at all while there. I was getting so tired of eating so much strange seafood in Hong Kong that it was a nice change of pace. Unfortunately, about half our team fell due to stomach troubles and they were pretty much out of commission for a good 3 days or so. Thankfully my iron stomach was fine.
I loved how structured everything was in China. When we arrived, Hilda gave us all a printed schedule of everyday we were there broken out as to what was expected of us every hour of everyday. I love structure! It was so nice compared to all the uncertainty that we deal with in Hong Kong. Everyday we would wake up and have breakfast at 8:30. Usually Rebecca, Kristen, Rachel, and I would make a McDonald's coffee run in the morning before breakfast, and a couple times we bought our own breakfast from vendors on the street. It was awesome and so cheap. After breakfast we would have an hour or so for team time, as well as some time set aside for planning for classes. Lunch was at noon and then the students arrived at the church around 2. We ran VBS style classes, which wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it worked out fairly well. There were 90 students total and they were broken up into 3 groups by age. The youngest group was 5-7 years, then 8-11, then 12-18. The most challenging thing was how to present the same material to all age groups and still have it hold their interest. I led the music class. The youngest kids were so easy because even though they couldn't read and they didn't have any idea what they were singing, they tried so hard and they would always do the motions. The oldest group was the easiest to communicate with and they were so good, but I could tell how disinterested they were in singing the same songs that the little kids were, so I had to mix it up a little bit. We sang for about half the class and then we would play some sort of game like musical chairs or something. They loved musical chairs because the first time we played, the coolest kid in the class named Bruce Lee got up and started playing the guitar instead of me playing music off of my ipod. In addition to Bruce Lee there was also a Michael Jackson (who could actually moonwalk, the day we did the story of Peter walking on water, MJ moonwalked on water) and Jackie Chan. These three boys were so funny and so helpful with translating stuff because their English was really good. The middle aged kids were the worst. They were so out of control and I had no idea how to keep their attention. We would play games but they would just yell and terrorize each other. Especially the one kid that I nicknamed Tom Riddle. Once, when playing musical chairs, he ended up winning, but all the kids were complaining about how he had been cheating the whole time. I was confused because I thought I had been paying attention the whole time, but when we played again I watched him closer. He would, very subtly, but very effectively, shove, drag, throw little children out of the chair before he sat down in it. I'm not sure how he did it without them getting upset or anything which is why I named him Tom Riddle because I'm pretty sure he was manipulating them using dark magic. The one way to get the middle kids to focus was to just ignore them and start singing. For whatever reason that always worked. They would stop screaming and just join in the song. I liked that about them.
The first day we taught classes we realized that only about half of the students had English names. So the next day, Adam and I took to naming all the ones that didn't have English name. It was awesome. It was so easy to remember their names after that, because I had named them in the first place! Except there were a few that I could never remember, and I could tell that they were very offended when I forgot because I was the one who picked it in the first place. I wonder if Adam (Bible Adam, not team member Adam) ever forgot the names of the animals he named when he was in the Garden.
I roomed with Catherine and Mandy at the church and I'm so glad I did. Mandy and I became really good friends. She is starting her 3rd year of college in Jiangmen and she's studyng international trade business. She also loves Spanish so she thought my Spanish Bible was awesome. She taught me some Cantonese and every night before going to bed she would come to me with a list of questions about the English language that she encountered in that day and I would go over everything with her. Most of them were just words she didn't understand, but it was so much fun trying to explain some of the English slang she overheard us using when talking with each other. So now we have our lives all planned out- next summer we will both get an internship is Spain (don't worry, Amy it won't be during your wedding) and then when we graduate we will both move to Hong Kong together. Ok, so it's a long shot, but at least I have options.
In the evenings, I taught an adult Bible study/English class with Luke. There were 3 college-ish aged girls that showed up regularly. I think this was my favorite part of the trip. We didn't do a whole lot of lesson planning, but we mostly just came and talked about whatever they wanted to talk about. Generally some stupid aspect of American culture that they were curious about, and then we would try to explain how even though that is an American cultural norm, it wasn't necessarily the way that Christians were called to live their lives. It was so much fun to get to know them and to build relationships with them. I feel like that's what I was hoping for when I signed up for this.
That's about it for our mainland trip, that I can remember anyway... I would post pictures, but I'm not typing this on my computer so I don't have access to all my pictures, but within 24 hours I will post some. That is a Laura McLeran promise.
As far as the rest of my time in Hong Kong, I will be teaching a group of about 18 middle school students every morning from 9:15 until noon. I started this morning, and it was great! The students were shy at first but by the end of the class they were interacting really well. My lesson was way too easy for them, but I'll be ready for tomorrow with something challenging. I'm excited to work with the same students everyday for the next 2 weeks.
I hope all is well back home, thanks so much for the continued prayers. It means so much to me!
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