From the moment I heard about the opportunity to come teach English in Hong Kong while being a part of a local church there, I knew it was what God wanted for me. There were many attractions to coming to work here in Asia’s international city, and while many of those attractions have been even above what I might have imagined there have also been many challenges. However, I am so glad I chose to go on this journey as many lessons have been learned, challenges have been conquered, and exciting times were had. The staff in charge of the different schools and center where I have taught have always been extremely helpful. The transition to a life in Hong Kong was also made easy by so many from the church of Tuen Mun. They are quick to provide assistance with the various details of living here and enjoy helping with language questions and cultural lessons. While I tried to come with little expectations of what this experience might be like, I have had personal growth and know that I will continue to see positive consequences come from my time here.

從2012年開始，我校在招募外籍老師的工作上，一直與Smart Kids有緊密的合作。這數年間，在Smart Kids的協助下，我校招募了幾位優秀的外藉老師。他們都是充滿活力、有責任感和非常愛小朋友的年青人。而且，幾位外藉老師深受兒童歡迎，亦受家長愛戴，獲一致高度的評價。

 本人甚為欣賞Smart Kids同工對工作的熱誠，尤其是常與我們接洽的黃牧師和梁小姐。黃牧師事事親力親為，盡心盡力工作，展開招募前先會耐心了解幼稚園對外藉老師的要求。然後，親身到當地挑選合適而又有興趣的申請人。除此之外，黃牧師亦會向來港的外籍老師詳細地講解香港的風土人情、社會文化、幼兒教育制度等等的重要訊息。幫助他們作好準備，減低來港後各方面適應的問題。還有，梁小姐熱情款款地照顧每一位外藉老師，無論在生活上遇到的種種問題，也都顯露關懷之心，盡是無微不至。

 Smart Kids擁有有效的管理系統，黃牧師非常重視外籍老師的教學質素，會主動聯絡幼稚園對外藉老師進行視學工作，給予他們適當的意見和改善建議，優化他們教學方法和技巧。恩暉教會支援工作亦盡善盡美，教會提供不同的聚會和活動，關顧每一位同工，彼此相親互助，仿如一個大家庭。

 冀盼日後，Smart Kids和我們繼續保持伙伴關係，互相支持勉勵，在幼兒教育工作攜手培育下一代。

合作感言:

自2012年起建生浸信會白普理幼兒園一直與Smart Kids合作致力推動校內學生的互動英語學習，讓學生在輕鬆愉快的氣氛中以互動多元化方式學習英語。Smart Kids擁有不同國籍的英語導師，全部都是專業的教育工作者，對教育工作充滿熱誠。過往數年，該中心主要提供以英語為母語的外籍導師到本校任教英語課程，他們多運用生動的教學方式,創造一個快樂的環境, 讓學生在輕鬆互動的良好氣氛下學習，引導幼兒勇於嘗試練習說英語。通過外籍導師的教授，幼兒逐漸掌握簡單的英語聆聽及表達能力。外籍導師於課堂上亦會適時糾正其英語發音,使學齡前的幼兒在小組中寓學習於遊戲，讓他們從中獲得自信和成功感。

It’s never easy to get onto that plane that’s taking you away from your comfort zone and taking you to a place you have never known. Saying goodbye to friends and family not knowing when you’ll see them again, putting your life into two suitcases, traveling across the world into the unknown — these things I have always longed to do but also feared. When I first came to Hong Kong I was very excited about the whole adventure; but then, on the other hand, I was nervous about the job, the fact that I knew none of the language and nothing about the culture, and that I would be staying for a whole year. What if I didn’t like it? Or worse, what if they didn’t like me? What if I couldn’t do the job? What would I be missing with my friends and family back home?

Now that I’m at the end of my time in Hong Kong I can honestly say I would never take it back. While times here were not always easy and not every day would be one I would want to relive, throughout this year I have learned so many valuable lessons that I know will serve me well in my future no matter where I go. I have been able to meet many different people from all around the globe that helped guide me through this year and I now call my friends. I was able to see different parts of the world, learn about other cultures and ways of life, and gain experience in a field of work I practically knew nothing about. In short, I now have a new place I can call home.

I have seen God work in my life in a more personal way here than I believe I ever could have in any other kind of environment. I had to lean on God for daily strength and courage. To be honest, most of what I did here in Hong Kong was “out of my comfort zone”. Most everything I was called to do I had to go into with prayer knowing that the only way I would be able to be of any help would be because God did something through me that I could never do in myself. While people in the church did

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since I flew into Hong Kong and started teaching kindergarten. From the very first day the excitement of being in a new culture and place only grew as I passed skyscrapers, the sea, mountains and a combination of all three. Hong Kong is unique in that one can go an hour in one direction and arrive in a metropolis of towers and lights. But take off an hour in another direction and you’ll see places of stunning natural beauty as well. Not to mention the many easily accessible outlying islands that can be a refreshing change from the fast paced Hong Kong lifestyle. One of the best parts of living here in Hong Kong has been the people I’ve met at the church. They have been a wonderful encouragement to me and also helpful in ways that I didn’t even anticipate I would need. There was never a time that I was concerned that I wouldn’t be taken care of. Anytime I was confused about some aspect of Hong Kong culture or just didn’t know what to expect. There was always someone willing to lend a helping hand. That kindness bled over into my work life as well. I thoroughly enjoyed working at the kindergarten in Shan King. Being surrounded by friendly yet professional coworkers while spending time with beautiful Hong Kong children was just an added bonus to being able to travel to the other side of the world.