Disney, DrEd and a Dream of a Lifetime: Getting Ready for One Year in China!

nǐ hǎo / hello! I’m Mia, a recent DrEd alumnus and as you can tell from the title, I’ve got some exciting things happening in my life.

For the past year, I’ve dreamed about exploring the world, and taking what I’ve learned in DRED to teach English as a Foreign Language. This finally became a reality when I got an offer with the company, Disney English. I will be teaching with Disney English, a language-learning center for children between the ages of 2-12. I am so excited to use their storytelling approach to teach the English language. The learning center focuses a lot on integrating technology, role-play, songs and drama games…definitely in the Drama in Education wheelhouse, that’s for sure! Teaching children who speak a completely different language is going to be challenging, but I know it will be fine because we get to work alongside a placement partner, just as in DRED, except these trainers are bilingual and native of China!

Teaching children who speak a completely different language is going to be challenging, but I know its going to be fine because the past five years of DRED have reinforced that drama is a universal language. Everyone is able to understand it, not matter the age and language. As well as it being a great teaching tool, it brings people relevance, social connection and happiness.

If you are thinking about going to another country to be a DrEducator, I want to tell you just three things:

1. Do it! Don’t give your time to second guessing it, because you will not have this opportunity again. Teaching abroad is a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture, meet Expats from around the world, and to travel.

2. It will be scary! There are so many things that will be scary and daunting: like the visa process and moving by yourself to an new country…but it will all be worth it in the end!

3. Research! Please do your research on the education centers and the country before you have your interview and pack your bags. There are wonderful social media pages for talking to other teachers, Expats and just to get a general review on the company. In my researching, I have read so many stories of people being scammed out of an amazing experience. Also, some schools require you to only have teaching experience and a degree, while others also require you to have an ESL/TESOL certificate in addition. It all depends on visa requirements.

I know I am in for a huge culture shock, but it turns out that my best friend, DRED alumni, Kristen Luimes will be leaving the same time as me, to teach in Beijing! Although we will be hours away, it will be great to have someone to share the experience with, and who will understand the journey and

tribulations of culture stress. She and I will be able to talk about lesson plans, like the good days when we had rides to placement together.

I know there are going to be challenges like: setting up a bank account, finding a place to live, being 12 hours from home, and adjusting to a new culture but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity!

This is the time where I am able to figure myself out, use the education tools DRED gave me and travel!

So, I won’t be a Disney Princess, but I will have my own Disney themed room. I’ll also get to teach using drama and I will be able to explore the amazing food, culture and landscapes China has to offer…that’s just as good as becoming a Disney Princess, right?