One of the things our school has been great at is encouraging community among both the new and returning staff members. Pulling a group of people from all over the world together and creating a community that is supportive, open, and involved in each other's lives doesn't always happen naturally (although, here it honestly seems to). The new staff had been together in training and social activities for about a week before returning staff joined us for orientation. This activity was a fantastic one to bring both groups together!
We were told in the afternoon that we would be participating in an activity that might push some of us past our comfort zones. We were broken into teams at random, with one administrator and a mix of returning and new staff in each group. We were given 300 rmb (approximately 45 US dollars), a bottle of wine, and 3 hours to cook a meal centered around the theme of "transitions" (since we are a school of so many people and families who are in a season of transitions). We were to create a main dish, an appetizer, and a drink and to meet back at the school cafeteria to share our meals together and to talk about our experiences. We had Jess, the upper school principal, in our group, and she was kind enough to open up her (amazing) home for us to cook in. Three of us went shopping for ingredients, while the others ran home for extra odd and ends. We had a great time creating some meals revolving around the "East vs. West" theme. I made my first pitcher of sangria (and it was delicious!), and we had a fantastic time. We met back up at the cafeteria in time to try other's meals and to hear about their group's experiences. It was such a great community building activity; bringing groups of people into homes and kitchens to create something together. I have so enjoyed this school's vision that schools are about people: both students and staff alike. I was reminded when walking back to my apartment later in the evening of how lucky I have been to find a place like Hangzhou that already feels like home. I am still learning the nooks and crannies, and am still eager to meet locals who can show me new sides to the city that I haven't yet seen. However, the layer of commitment, openness, and depth of conversation that I have already experienced from the HIS community will keep me going as I move forward on to the next part of this adventure. :)
2 Comments
Jess
8/20/2016 07:30:40 pm
How fun! I wish we could have wine during our team building activities!
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Michelle
8/20/2016 08:06:01 pm
Right!? That has been one part of teaching abroad that has surprised me. We celebrate everything with wine. :) Miss you, friend!
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AuthorMichelle is an expat and globetrotter, currently residing in Augsburg, Germany. Originally from the US, she has called Guam, China, and Germany home. Her passions include collecting children's picture books, reading, writing, traveling, and trying to remove coffee stains from freshly cleaned shirts. Archives
February 2022
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