I recently returned from China after leading a team to teach English at Yunnan Nationalities University in Kunming. Upon visiting the University for the third straight year, I felt as though I was seeing good friends again. The faculty in the Foreign Language Department (English) and students there are always hospital. Their kindness toward us and their willingness to be engaged in the classroom always makes leaving very difficult.
The weather in Kunming is always pleasant — which helps explain why Chinese refer to Kunming as the “Spring City.” It also helps explain why westerners enjoying living there part of the year!
One of the highlights of the visit was being asked to help judge an English-speaking contest one evening at the University. There were 24 contestants. While some of the contestants were excellent in their English and a few less proficient, I and the team had nothing but admiration for all of them being willing to speak in such a contest in front of native English speakers! They showed poise and ability.
Other highlights of the trip included a visit to a Buddhist Monastery in Dali, a Sunday morning visit to a church in Kunming, a visit to a special education school where the team made a financial gift to help buy uniforms for the students, a trip to the Great Wall and Summer Palace (Beijing), a meal in a Chinese home spending one-on-one time with
the students who really energized us, and simply enjoying the warmth and openness of the Chinese people.
The faculty made me promise I would bring a team back next year — a promise I look forward to keeping. It was a fabulous trip!
Tom Leland
President, IHP
