The Face Of China

EVERYBODY HAS A STORY

About

A World to Teach

Lu Kong is a 24-year-old Chinese teacher who works in India. At university, she studied the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language and has been working in Mumbai, India’s largest city, for the last six months. She previously taught Chinese in Bali, Indonesia. Passionate about travel and cultural exchange, she represents a new generation of educated Chinese youths who seek to explore and make their mark abroad.

How did you find your job?

I joined an organization that operates Chinese culture/language programs for overseas Chinese communities. They send teachers to provide Mandarin Chinese lessons to local Chinese children. First, I spent a year teaching Chinese to Indonesian Chinese children in Bali, then I moved to India. Now I work for an institute that promotes cross-cultural exchange, including language programs.

What made you move to India?

While at university in 2010, I spent a month in northern India, visiting historical sites and trying new things. I found the country to be really interesting. India is a country that is charming to travelers and it’s near China.  Also, it was not a problem for me, as a Chinese citizen, to get an Indian visa. I saw all these different people and lifestyles in India, which were completely different than those in China.

Who do you teach in India?

I work with various age groups. They are mostly beginners. Some of the children are as young as five, some are teenagers and some are adults. Some of the adult students work at Indian companies and are interested in learning Chinese in order to do business with China.

Do your students have a specific interest in China beyond economic gain?

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