Moving to China for a period of time and living with a Chinese family has a number of advantages. This homestay in China arrangement is usually set up for English speakers to teach local families and their children English; but there are reverse benefits for these teachers during their stay as well.

 

For one, it’s an amazing adventure. Living anywhere new for 3 months to a year straight is exciting, but especially in a place like Shanghai or Beijing. Second, teachers will also learn a lot of Chinese while they are living with a Chinese family who most likely only speaks that language. When people are forced to communicate they will learn each other’s languages very quickly. Finally, an extended stay in a place like China may truly change how the teacher sees the world, making them live differently moving forward when they return to their native land.