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US Chinese Culture Center
1708 Greene St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
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De
Review №1

I completed a trip to Beijing China as an American Education Ambassador from July 12, 2018 to August 12, 2018. I was assigned this job through the Chinese Culture Center. The Chinese Culture Center was very helpful in helping attain necessary documents such as travel visas. They were also very helpful in answering any questions one may have.As soon as I was exiting the Beijing airport, I was greeted with wonderful staff who helped with things such as, being picked up from the airport, ordering meals, and checking into the hotels. Later on, I met the teachers of the school where I would be teaching. Though there were some communication barriers that did not stop the teachers and staff from trying to communicate with American teachers. They were all very kind, and very accommodating, doing their best to further the learning of their students, and make sure we were comfortable in a foreign environment. The staff of the Chinese Culture Center, Melody Gong, even went as far as assisting with getting my damaged phone repaired. Everyone truly went above and beyond for me, and my American associates.Teaching both the younger, and older children was a very rewarding experience. Not only was the progress of the children learning new things very rewarding, but the kindness they bestowed upon us was amazing. It is an experience I will never forget, and look forward to experiencing again.If one is interested in having a new experience, and want to see the world, I definitely recommend giving the Chinese Culture Center a call. It was a wonderful experience, and anyone can do it!

no
Review №2

I went through their program back in 2010 when it was easier to go, but they work seamlessly to get you to China and place you in a safe and timely manner. I lived in China for 8 years and heard horror stories about not getting paid or Visa problems and I am thankful that I went with their program. Its nice to have help with navigating all all of the necessary tasks to get your Visa and finding a good, rewarding job.

Cy
Review №3

I had a great experience with the school I was placed at. Teaching young children was an educational and fulfilling. The Chinese teachers at the school were also very supportive.

Ja
Review №4

The staff at the Chinese Culture Center were super helpful with preparing me for an internship in China. I was given all the information I needed to succeed and would recommend this company to anyone interested in getting some work experience in China.

Sh
Review №5

Whatever you do...do not work with this organization. I had the worse experience working the the team in China for the Summer of 2018. Our contract said one thing, and when we got to China, we were doing something completely different. The staff in China also did not want to uphold their part of the contract, made excuses for everything THEY did not do, and justified their actions by saying it was due to Cultural difference and mistranslations of the contract.Our team was told we were going to get paid on Fridays, but never got paid until a Monday or Tuesday. For three days we were never informed of when we were going to get paid, or why were not paid on the day stated in the contract. The Chinese staff also tried to use fear and manipulation tactics to prevent us from doing things outside of their control. This is the WORSE company to work with. There were red flags such as not hearing back from the US Chinese Culture Center for a month prior to the trip. No communication whatsoever informing about where we where going or when we needed to leave the U. S. for China was given. I should have paid attention to the red flags, but I had already given my deposit, was excited about the opportunity, and didnt want to loose my money.Everything was done through this agency was done last minute...from here in the U. S. and in China. Disorganized, unethical, manipulative, and no good.If you are reading this review, DO NOT WORK WITH THIS AGENCY! You will regret it if you do.

sh
Review №6

I was in Beijing this summer, placed there by the USCCC. They were great. Before I left I had loads of questions that were answered in a timely fashion. I drove my contact, Lea, crazy with all my questions.Lea helped me with my visa and ticket, and when I needed ny visa expedited she made it happen.They helped hook me up with a company in Beijing that trained and placed me in schools. Whenever I had a question or needed help with communication, they were always there for me.I wanted to experience China while teaching and USCCC helped me with my goal. I am forever grateful for the adventure and urge others to take the leap and see the world of China with USCCC

De
Review №7

The US Chinese Culture Center was the organization I chose to place me in my first teaching job in China. I was very fortunate to work with the USCCC, as applying for ESL positions in China from abroad can be a complex and daunting process. And they did just as they promised, placing me at a good public school (High School No. 47) in Zhengzhou City (in the thriving province of Henan). Let me say that I have had a great experience, living and working in China. I worked there for three years, and the entire time I got real support from all the staff at the school, beginning with Caren, the owner of the ESL-teaching firm that provided English teachers to the high school. Caren made every effort to help acclimate the English teachers to life in China, everything from making sure we were comfortable with our housing arrangements (she helped me change apartments to one that was more to my liking, closer to the High School), to hosting dinners for us at nice restaurants during Spring Festival, to arranging school field trips that enabled us to see more of China. My Chinese colleagues at the school, Sharon and Clair, were very helpful also on a day-to-day basis: helping to arrange doctors visits whenever I needed it (complete with translation help), or getting me in touch with a service to retrieve my data when my computer crashed (and helping me with many other kinds of errands, besides).Those are all matters of practical importance, but the core of the experience was teaching the kids, which was really just wonderful. Again, the USCCC did just as they said, they placed me at a good school. The public schools in China are the best places to give ESL instruction, and High School No. 47 was no exception. The class sizes were very manageable (ranging from about 25-35 students), and the students had a close rapport with the Chinese-side of the teaching staff (which again included Clair and Sharon). This helped promote a great learning environment, and one where all the English teachers felt supported in their role. The students were welcoming and respectful (if sometimes a little riled up; the long days they spend in their classes can lead to that), and spending time with the same group of students over my 3 years was one of things that made my time in China so memorable.It is true that the experience of English teachers in China can vary; much depends on the organization you engage to find reliable employers in China. The USCCC has the developed the professional connections in China to make certain that teachers new to China have a truly positive experience, as I did (I shouldnt neglect to mention that the English teachers are also well-paid). If youre reading this review and wondering whether to make that leap to living and working in a place that will give you a whole new cultural experience, my best advice is to contact the US Chinese Culture Center for help with any of your questions. Cheers,

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7 Comments
4.3 Rating
  • Address:1708 Greene St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
  • Site:http://www.chineseculturecenter.org/
  • Phone:+1 803-252-9086
Categories
  • Non-profit organization
Working hours
  • Monday:9am–6pm
  • Tuesday:9am–6pm
  • Wednesday:9am–6pm
  • Thursday:Closed
  • Friday:Closed
  • Saturday:9am–6pm
  • Sunday:9am–6pm
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