Happiness in life is all about balance. When I taught in North America, it seemed that the majority of my time and effort was centered on motivating disinterested and often ill-equipped students to pass an assortment of state-mandated examinations. These assessments became the focus of everything that happened in our schools, yet preparing for (and even passing) those tests neither developed nor measured the important skills that young people needed to be successful as they progressed throughout their lives. The entire practice seemed to leave students jaded and teachers looking for better options.

While many of my colleagues continued to struggle—and some left the profession altogether—I found an appealing alternative in international education. That was more than a decade ago, and I feel extremely fortunate to have seen and done all that I have since entering the wider world. Today, I am a healthier and happier person, a better teacher, and a truly humble witness to the beauty of people and places across the globe.

Through that lens of domestic and international involvement, I can confidently recommend HFI as an outstanding opportunity for caring, curious, and qualified educators. Beyond the excellent staff you will be working with or the encouraging administration supporting you, the absolute jewel of this program is and always will be the students. Highly intelligent, incredibly motivated, and laser-focused on their goals of attending only the best English-language universities on the planet, the young men and women of HFI are a joy in the classroom. They bring their interests and creative abilities along with an eagerness for learning that makes daily instruction both meaningful and delightful. The broad spectrum of academic activities that you can successfully attempt with such high-achieving students is limited only by your imagination.

On the subject of balance, your work to play ratio is another benefit of teaching at HFI. Guangzhou is an amazing location in terms of things to do and places to go—it is a progressive city with more culture and green space than most might expect. It is also a convenient starting point to visit some of the most interesting and beautiful places on Earth, many of which you can see in China alone!

If you find yourself searching for new challenges, possess a passion for teaching, and have a strong desire to work with some of the brightest minds in Asia, you would do well to consider HFI.

Nov 5, 2018