Zhuoli

China
Login to see last activity

Badges (5)

Photos

View all

Give the gift of Workaway

Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
I believe cultural exchange can enrich our life experience, deepen our understandings of the world and ultimately bring out the best of ourselves. I do not just want to be a sightseeing tourist. Rather, I would like to engage more with local people & culture, and learn to appreciate the beauty of each culture.

Having meaningful talks with people and getting inspired by their experiences and ways of thinking bring me happiness.
Interests
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Writing
Sustainability
Self development
Politics / Social justice
Nature
Outdoor activities
History
Movies & TV
Languages
Hiking
Gardening
Fitness
Farming
Culture
Cooking & food
Charity work
Books
Languages
Languages spoken
Chinese (Mandarin): Fluent
English: Beginner
More details about my language interests
eager to learn German now!
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Being an elderly companion
Animal Care
Charity Work
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Hospitality/Tourism
Art Projects
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
Languages
Teaching
More details about your skills
1) Language: native Chinese speaker, beginner in English
2) Cooking: make some traditional Chinese food
3) Generic Competences: communication, cooperation, creation, flexibility, adaptability, time management, strong work ethic, fast learning...
Age
28
What else ...
I like reading nonfiction books, watching movies and doing sports (aerobics）
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  Vegan

Website Safety

Feedback

6 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Teach conversational English ...)

I am writing this review one year after my Workaway experience with this English institute, and the memories are still so fresh and cheerful. :)

As the first and only Chinese girl at the institute, I felt a genuine sense of community where everyone was cared for and comfortable sharing ideas. The friends and students were incredibly welcoming,… read more often sharing meals, inviting us to gatherings, and planning outings. I still vividly remember all the amazing people I met: "veterans" who keep renewing their sessions with the institute for all the enjoyable encounters they have with various Workawayers; college students stressed by the high competition in Istanbul's job market; white-collar workers aspiring for promotion and salary raises under the pressure of high inflation; "refugees" who left their homeland for better opportunities in Istanbul; and, of course, all the incredible Workawayers: Laura, the Mexican-Canadian girl who masters several languages and is still learning Turkish out of pure passion for this diverse land; Serge, the Russian boy who has been a Workawayer for years and remains a super cool digital nomad, a bit mysterious to me; Svenja, the German girl who hitchhiked all the way from Cologne, Germany to Istanbul, Turkey, and is a true practitioner of environmentalism (I’ll never forget how she showed us her second-hand clothes piece by piece); Carla, who does incredible body paintings with her own studio in South Africa and speaks the fascinating Xhosa language; and Francesco, the Italian boy who radiates romance and humor and has an unbelievable amount of history knowledge.

Regarding the work, the institute's approach to teaching English to adults is immersive and engaging, making learning a joyful and cultural experience. The unique class structure emphasizes interaction and engagement. Everyone I met here was very open-minded and always ready to share, even through body language. Additionally, the supportive staff, Selen and Olcay, ensured the comfort throughout our stay and allowed for flexibility. I am especially grateful to Olcay, as I couldn’t stay as long as expected due to some personal issues.

The accommodation was just a 10-minute walk from the institute, close to the metro and grocery stores, making everything super accessible. The metro made it easy to take day trips around Istanbul. Istanbul's beauty and the fascinating people I met added an extra layer of magic to this unforgettable journey.

This Workaway experience exceeded all my expectations. From the incredible friendships with learners and other Workawayers to the supportive staff and flexible teaching approach, it was a wholesome and enriching experience, perfect for immersing myself in Istanbul's culture. I’m sure this experience will stay with me forever, and I look forward to returning to Istanbul.

(Excellent )

28 Feb 2023

Left by Workawayer () for host (Assist teachers in a ...)

Staying in a Montessori Kindergarten and being hosted by Helen and Mark are simply amazing! I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to get to know my super kind and lovely hosts as well as learning about the Montessori methodology firsthand.

About my incredible hosts and great stay:
Helen and Mark have become like my family now. They are… read more super super nice and go above and beyond to make sure my comfortable stay. They took me hiking and showed me some of the most beautiful views in the area. We had quite authentic Chinese food in Budepest. Also, they introduced me to their lovely friends, invited me over for meals, and shared their life stories with me, which I found truly inspiring. I learned so much from them!
My room is also very comfy and has everything I need. Also, the food at the kindergarten is absolutely delicious, and I enjoy every meal.

About what I have learnt from these amazing teachers for educating 3-6-year-old children:
1. Establish basic rules and demonstrate, guide, repeat, and reinforce them. Freedom is built upon rules, and rules should be minimal and aim to maximize freedom for everyone. For example, children must use a mat when playing with toys, and they must quickly clean up and return items to their original position when the music stops.
2. Avoid interfering and observe closely, only providing guidance when necessary. Allow children to work at their own pace, even if it's slow. For example, instead of dressing the child, encourage them to dress themselves, as this fosters independence.
3. Encourage the natural tendencies and internal drive of the child to develop, without using punishment or rewards. Teachers should provide praise for children's small achievements and calmly explain their inappropriate behaviors.
4. Use simple and clear language during lessons. Avoid giving unnecessary and unclear instructions to children. Montessori teachers generally follow a 3-period methodology: 1) introduction ( this is...) 2) association ( show me...) 3) recall ( what is this...？）.
5. Focus on sensory development in children which can reinforce their learning. For example, have children touch mud and then explain that it is called mud. Use sandboxes to show them how to write letters and numbers.
6. Use specific teaching aids and create a suitable learning environment. Greens, bunnies, child-sized furniture and utensils … The kindergarten environment is intricately decorated with attention to detail, showing the substantial investments of time and effort. For classroom activities, besides Montessori tools, teachers have created their own useful and interesting teaching aids, such as using pizza ingredients for counting or using collages to teach the characteristics of the seasons.
7. Focus on children's personalized development with a step-by-step approach. Apart from half an hour of circle time and group physical training, children spend most of their time playing independently. Teachers guide them to play with more challenging educational toys based on each child's unique situation.
8. Note that making mistakes is normal for children, and often it may just not be the right time for them yet. Unless it's a matter of principle, it's important not to rush to correct them with a condescending attitude of "let me show you how to do it." Otherwise, it could lead to the child feeling discouraged and resentful.
9. Respect a child's choices and allow them to develop according to their natural instincts. The kindergarten provides opportunities for children to play with rabbits, cultivate small gardens, play in sandboxes, go down small slides and climb small rocks, and even soft artificial turf and rubber surfaces instead of bare concrete floors. When a child wants to play with sand, water, or slide down a slope, let them do it, and the adult's role is to buy waterproof clothes and wash them afterward.
10. Ultimately, the most crucial thing is the teacher's unconditional love for all children, treating them as their own.

Once again, I feel so fortunate and thankful for the deep connection with Mark and Helen, and for the opportunity to learn the Montessori method firsthand! I'm 100% sure this experience will be one of my most treasured memories when I look back on it.

(Excellent )

25 Oct 2022

Left by host (Join my family and help me ...) for Workawayer ()

Had very good experience and enjoyed Diwali festival together. Life is all about meeting new people and making new friends. In future looking to meet her again , our bond of friendship and understanding is very strong now .

(Excellent )

25 Oct 2022

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join my family and help me ...)

The 3-day short stay with Abhinav's family during Diwali festival season was great!

Personally, I enjoyed very much talking with everyone in the family, especially with Abhinav's mum. I see Abhinav's ambition and hardwork in career, and also his being caring for families & friends and religious in life. I see his parents' being typical Asian… read more parents: both supportive and caring but in different ways-- patient/warm housewife mother and kinda serious/distant breadwinner father. I also see Abhinav's sister struggling with study decisions and family expectations, eager to achieve something but kinda confused about actions. Perhaps everybody is in some way like Laura the family dog, sometimes lonely, feeling confined by something, anxious to get a way out (but who isn't?)

Meanwhile, I'm reminded again and again the significant role of Indian women being a wife, mum, daughter-in-law in a family, especially a joint family of nearly 20 people. Yet, perhaps most of time their hard work is taken for granted and their thinking and feelings are neglected. The seen and unseen about Indian women is disturbing for me, making me highly respect them, feeling sorry for them but with tied hands.

① Work: There's basically no work to do as they keep maids for cleaning and organizing stuff. I stayed during diwali festival time and I happen to speak Hindi, so i was helping out in the kitchen serving food and also making home decoration. During my stay, a workaway couple from Europe were also there but since they have language issues, they couldn't help much.

② Stay: The European couple stayed in a separate room. I shared a bed with Abhinav's sister in a room with a separate bathroom and Abhinav slept on the sofa for two nights. Anyways, guests' comfort comes first to them!

③Food: So so good (and non-stop lol) if you are cool with Indian spices and vegetarian food. And top Indian sweets from their family shop. I wish to write down all recipes!

④ Travel: During my stay, Abhinav is busy. So I roamed around major tourist attractions alone by uber and tuktuk within one day. Hawa mahal highly recommended (if you want, you can imagine yourself being lonely and confined queen who can only look the world through tiny windows.) Be mindful of possible scams. You can always ask Abhinav's families for suggestions. Abhinav and his sister also took us to restaurants, cafes, and markets when they are free.

⑤ Miscellaneous: it was diwali and they are a religious hindu family, so we had super good exposure to Indian culture. Things like puja/prayer rituals, auspicious number 21, lakshimi painting & rangoli, stopping evils by closing bathroom door, going to temples with salt in hand after drawing menhandi etc are all interesting!

In a nutshell, there're lots of cultural differences but if you are open-minded, i think you may enjoy the stay as much as i do. (well, male travelers are recommended for this workaway)

(Excellent )

View all