Some Testimonials
Marc Lee, Nanjing Summer Program (NSP) teacher, 2008
Hi Alice,
My time in Nanjing so far is just the most amazing experience I have ever had. The students are great and very motivated towards improving their oral communication skills while learning more about American culture. They also took a lot of time to host both the university and city for me. The youngest in my class is only 14 years old but also is one of the most talkative and engaging students. I am very glad that I can have my first experience of teaching in China within the city of Nanjing and hopefully it will not be my last. Ganbei!
Danny Roberts, NSP teacher, 2008
Hi Alice!
I want to thank you so much for making this happen. I've been in Nanjing for 12 days, and I already feel like I live here. What can I say? I love the campus, the city; I love the students so much. It took them about 0 seconds to realize that I was their age, and that has made being their teacher very interesting. I have had lunch with my students every day after class, and I often see them in the evening as well. Yesterday a group of us met Jane, one of our class members, in the evening to go skateboarding in Shijian Guangchang, right next to the hotel, because she is on duty there advertising those new "wobble boards" nearly every night. . This is hands down the funnest, most engaging summer I've ever had! The way you plopped us down in the middle of a full life, giving us an immediate in-road to the lives of Chinese college students that a tourist will never see, has been incredible.
Mary Glatz, NSP teacher, 2008
The summer program was so fantastic. It was transformational for me, really. Any negatives, i.e. the textbook, are really very small in comparison with the overall experience. Thank you again for everything!
Participant, NSP teacher, 2008
Thank you again for taking care of the necessary and important details for travel, and most of all, for establishing the relationships with Chinese institutions.
Lauren Anneberg, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 2006, talking about the Summer Institute program in Shanghai
Dear Alice,
Ni hao! I am sorry I haven't written since I arrived...we've been so wonderfully busy. I am so grateful for the Summer Institute, thank you Alice. I can't imagine going into my teaching placement without the insight and guidance of Jane, Kim, James and Sandra. They have been incredible, in addition to being lovely, kind people. We are so lucky to have them!
Yesterday's trip to Tong Li was memorable, mostly due to the scintillating sex museum - how unexpected! The canals were charming, and the shaded boat ride a welcome respite from the sun. I think we might have sweat off about a half a stone. Last night a few of us ate at the Punjabi Indian restaurant near Nanchang Lu - huge buffet, many laughs... and tonight Jane's going to take us to a local hot pot place. Days seem to revolve around the next meal, full of things I can honestly say I have never seen or tried, but we're all well and enjoying each other's company. (minus the ubiquitous 'digestive trouble!'). I have loved walking through the park in the early morning, visiting the fabric market (where Joel and Todd had suits made), eating steaming soup-filled dumplings, and being ever-impressed with the students at Feng Hua High School. I would say that Shanghai is far more sprawling and glamourous than I expected. Joel and I ventured into the Shanghai Centre near to where the acrobats performed (amazing) and wandered past every haute couture label I could never afford in my lifetime. It seemed out of place and yet strangely established. I was envisioning the neighborhood around Zha Bei to be more of the standard, and perhaps it is. I haven't done enough exploring on my own to get a fair sense of the place. This afternoon I'm heading to the Shanghai Museum, so I better get going if I hope to make it back by dinner!
Thanks Alice
Roberto Ruiz, NSP teacher, 2007
...I can't believe that these last two years have flown by so quickly. It's actually quite sad because this has been the greatest experience. I've learned so much, and changed equally as much. I can't thank you enough for the opportunity. I'm glad to say I've made some great friends along the way. In the end, I'm so glad I came. Now I'm ready to move on to the next chapter in my life, and I will continue to keep you posted.
Tim Gerber, Sydney Institute of Language and Commerce (SILC), Shanghai University, 2004-2005
Hi Alice,
Hard to believe a year has gone by.....so many experiences....travel......cultural exchanges.....it has been a TRIP in more ways than one......but a wonderful one that I wouldn't trade for anything......
Thanks for all your help and support.
Kaleb Moore and Robyn Stringfellow , Nanhai University of South China Normal University, Guangzhou
We are loving China!! Our students are great, smart and eager to learn. It is a joy to teach them. Everybody at the University so far has been great, they are very friendly and warm. The campus is a little isolated, so there is not a lot to do, but it is also nice because it allows us plenty of time to study Mandarin and plan our lessons.
All in all, things are just fine here. The program is very great and helpful, and I feel we would reccommend it to anyone thinking of coming to China. That's it for now!