Moving to a new country for a new job comes with a long list of logistics, from visas and flights to housing and orientation, that can define a teacher’s first impressions. In this reflection, Benjamin Carroll, a new PE teacher at BASIS Bilingual Kindergarten Nanshan, shares how clear communication from the HR team, a well-prepared arrival, and life in Shenzhen came together to make the start of his family’s first year in China a smooth one.
_______________________
Joining the team at BASIS Bilingual Kindergarten Nanshan this academic year has been a great experience. The pre-arrival support provided by the school was excellent and really helped during the process of organizing our visas. Navigating the visa process for China is daunting, with many requirements, but the HR team broke it down for me step by step with prompt communication and clear instructions. This gave me confidence that I would be working with a competent group of professionals. Since arriving, I can say that is definitely the case. I have been very impressed with the standard of teachers, support, and administration staff who all help in any way they can.
That high standard of care was evident once I arrived in China. The HR team met my family and me at the airport and took us straight to the already prepared apartment, which was very welcome. They even ordered us takeaway on the first evening, which was a lovely touch after flying all the way from the U.K. with a small baby.
The orientation program (Summer Institute) was also thorough and gave me the confidence to hit the ground running. Moving halfway across the world with a young family is a big undertaking, but the school community has been great at making it as comfortable as possible for us.
Living in Shenzhen has been a great experience, too. The city is clean, safe, vibrant, and has a lot of green spaces. There are many beautiful parks, scenic mountain backdrops, and coastal areas to take long walks. Overall, I have been very impressed with China and Shenzhen as a whole. I would definitely recommend it as a place for a new professional adventure.
Thank you to BASIS International & Bilingual Schools • China for making my first experience teaching in China a worthwhile and rewarding experience. I look forward to what’s to come.
Benjamin Carroll
Physical Education Teacher
BASIS Bilingual Kindergarten Nanshan
For more information about teaching abroad with BASIS International & Bilingual Schools, visit our careers website.
