Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

AYC has a lot of work to do, but I made my experience work for me Past Review

By (George Washington University) - abroad from 08/25/2013 to 06/30/2014 with

Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation: Ameson Year in China

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This year I really learned to be more independent. I was forced to really do things on my own without the comfort of other expats or a school that coddled me. I bought an e-bike to make the 20 minute trip to the grocery store, explored the city by bus and forced myself to leave my town and see Ningbo. I am definitely glad I came to China, but had I known I wouldn't get the majority of things promised to me, I would have chosen another program. Hopefully AYC will fix most of their problems by next year, but they have a lot of work to do. Honestly, my experience was what I made it. There were many times I wanted to go home or try and get out of my contract and leave, but I stuck it out and I'm really proud of myself. If you'd like to read a detailed account of the issues my fellow teachers and I have had with AYC, feel free to check out my blog post review http://www.adventuresaroundasia.com/2014/04/21/ameson-year-in-china-a-review/

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Network of other AYC teachers all over China
  • TEFL certification
  • Contests to win trips in China
* What could be improved?
  • Follow through on promises made on website and in-person
  • Increased support and communication
  • AYC should actually look into the schools they place students at. My school wasn't even legally allowed to have a foreign teacher!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that: 1) Being placed in a rural area was a possibility 2. Being placed at a school by myself was a possibility 3. Chinese lessons and excursions will not be followed through on 4. Payment is lower than most other opportunities 5. Working 25 hours a week is very exhausting, especially if you have to make your own lesson plans, unlike most ESL schools. 6. AYC did not take our placement sheets into consideration at all. They will give you to whichever school wants you. Hopefully some of these things will change for next year's students, but overall, I wish I would have known that this program did not follow through on most of the things they promised us.