I hardly know where to begin to explain all that has happened since I updated one month ago. We spent the first week here in Haikou for orientation. After that, five of us went to Ding’an for our workshop, while others went to other workshops. Our workshop was for teachers and I taught a teaching reading class. I was able to share a lot of the things that I learned in my own college classes. We spent the morning hours in classes (three hour-long sessions) and the afternoon we taught songs, played review games and then Jack White taught a lecture session on the book “Teach Like a Champion.” For seven days, I taught my students techniques and the final three days they presented their final teaching projects. They did a wonderful job and I really enjoyed teaching them and working with them. Most of my students are English teachers, so we were able to communicate with each other very well. Overall the workshop went very well, and at the end the educational leaders expressed interest in bringing more foreign teachers to that area.

Our hosts were great and they took care of all our meals. They also made sure that we were busy each evening with various activities. One of the first nights, we visited a local middle school and played sports with their teams. While the others played basketball, I played volleyball with the school’s team. These girls recently won an international volleyball competition in Brazil!

Some of the other nights we walked along the river, visited a lake, played badminton, biked, sang karaoke (KTV), visited an ancient wall (dated from 1430s), and some cool springs, where fish came and nibbled our toes. We had a great time with them and we also enjoyed a wide variety of foods. I ate a lot of animals that I had never eaten before and for the most part, the food is really delicious.

After we got back to Haikou, we took a few days to unwind before jumping into a second round of orientation just for those of us who are staying the full year. That has kept us busy for the last 2 weeks. While we have been here we have done our best to become familiar with the city. I am starting to understand how the different parts of the city are connected and which buses to (or NOT to) take to get around. (There is a story to go along with this, but I’ll save it for later)

Beginning tomorrow, we will be working a second workshop, this time with kindergarteners. Actually, we went on a field trip to the zoo with these students yesterday. I had my first encounter with a liger and I was able to feed an elephant! We also led the whole group of children through “monkey mountain” where dozens of monkeys were crawling around on the ground around us. I wasn’t such a fan of that part, but it made for an interesting experience!

We will take another field trip with the children this week to the Coca-Cola factory here on the island! I wonder how much it will be like the one back home in Atlanta. After this workshop is done, we will be able to purchase our e-bikes and fully move into our own apartments on the Qiontai campus. The Mills have taken great care of us in Haikou, but I am very excited to be able to unpack my bags and stop living out of a suitcase. 🙂

I met my first tutor today and will begin teaching him later this week. So, things are slowly falling into place. I haven’t quite found a routine yet, but look forward to establishing one sometime within the next month. I do wish this post wasn’t so sporadic! I wish I could write every single exciting detail and funny story, but that would take a really long time. 😉

 

Soon, I will update with pictures of my apartment and some stories that will be a little more fun to read. Until then, please keep praying for me. It has been a wonderful one month and two days in Hainan, China, but there is still so much ahead that is unknown and unfamiliar. Classes will begin the first week of September and until then I will continue exploring and having those kind of adventures that only happen when I’m around. After all, wherever I go, a good story usually follows! Next time I’ll make sure to include one or two, for your amusement. hehe

Sending much love, all the way from China! ❤