SERC Staff Gain Valuable Insights on China Teacher Exchange

SERC Senior Innovation Advisor Natasha Lloyd and Quality Manager Sarah Hope have recently returned from a teacher exchange to China.  

The two SERC staff members visited China for three weeks as part of a teacher exchange programme with Pingdingshan Vocational and Technical College in China. While on the exchange, Natasha and Sara exchanged their expertise in teaching strategies with their Chinese peers, shared best practice approaches in early childhood and leadership development, and delivered short programmes to the students. The SERC International Department is delighted to have developed this opportunity which underscores the college’s collaboration with China Europe International Education Exchange Limited, a company specialising in higher education exchange programmes.  

After teaching students in the college during the week, Natasha and Sara got the opportunity to go sightseeing on weekends in the Henan province, including visits to a Shaolin temple, Kaifeng – an ancient capital of China – and the Longmen Grottoes - a UNESCO World Heritage site home to a collection of over 100,000 Buddhist statues and 2,345 caves carved into limestone cliffs. They also took the bullet train to Beijing to explore the city.  

Natasha says, "My experience in China was truly unforgettable - from the remarkable hospitality to the breath-taking sights, and the warm welcome I received at the College. It was both a privilege and a pleasure to visit Pingdingshan Vocational and Technical College and to work with students as they explored and developed their leadership and management skills. My sincere thanks go to the college for the exceptional welcome, and especially to our teaching assistants, Ms. Vera, Mr. Miao, and Ms. Katie, for their invaluable support." 

Sara echoes Natasha’s positive comments: “Our trip was out of this world and the support and hospitality we received was incredible. It was an experience I would happily repeat and one I would encourage others to take if they get the opportunity.”