What China Taught Me (Beyond the Classroom)

At the beginning of last year, I had the privilege of signing a contract to teach English in China. It was an opportunity I will never forget, one that let me explore parts of the world, and parts of myself, I never knew existed.

Looking back, the rollercoaster of emotions is clearer now. Living abroad isn’t as easy as one might imagine. I was fortunate, though, to find ease in the adjustment, thanks to kind people, their care for rejuvenation, and a collective spirit to lift each other up.

The pictures you see here are from some really fun times in China, but they’re certainly not the only fun I had. The convenience to travel and experience more of this unique country helped me find a greater appreciation for myself. I’ve always been hard on myself, a nasty pattern I developed early. Travel eased that tension. It taught me to stay curious and be more grateful for things I might easily take for granted.

(You won’t see photos of my students or my school due to privacy policies, but I want to give a huge thank you to everyone at that lovely kindergarten. Every person there knew how to put a smile on my face.)

Being seen as a teacher also taught me something: the importance of working better in a team, and offering advice for things you truly know and care about.

Don’t be afraid to go on a crazy adventure. And don’t be afraid to stop before you’ve done everything possible, there are too many opportunities I’ve been fortunate enough to turn down, and I still wonder where I could be.

So what are you waiting for?
Get your mind set on what you once thought could become true.

#ThoughtsBecomeThings
— Scott