About Volunteering with Xu Bo

At Xu Bo we strongly believe in our mission to promote inter-cultural understanding between China and the rest of the world. Our program has grown dramatically in recent years as we have placed volunteers in Chinese schools in several different areas of China. The schools we work with have been carefully screened for suitability for our program. Those that have met our standards have entered into a professional relationship with Xu Bo based on mutual understanding and respect. We try hard to assure the success of every volunteer's placement, both from the perspective of the volunteer, and from the perspective of the school employing the volunteer.

The schools we have agreed to work with dedicate significant resources to integrating our volunteers into their work environment. They understand that the typical volunteer is not a professional teacher, has little or no Mandarin language capability, and usually needs a week or two to become effective as a teacher. They make the financial commitment needed to provide living quarters and all weekday meals and they assign their own teachers to spend time mentoring us to help us become effective teachers. They do all of this because they understand the great value a foreign volunteer can bring to their institution. Their students and teachers get the chance to hear, and speak to, someone proficient in the foreign language. Just as importantly, they get the opportunity to expand their understanding of the world beyond China. Just as the volunteer gets the chance to better understand China's culture and people, the Chinese teachers and students get the opportunity to learn more about the western world. This chance for people from different cultures to work together and get to know each other has a lasting and beneficial impact on everyone involved.

On the Importance of Commitment

As a Xu Bo volunteer you need to understand from the outset that you are making an important professional commitment to the school where you are placed. Being a volunteer does not mean you can take the assignment less seriously than a paying job. You are making a very special contribution to these schools and have a right to expect them to treat you fairly and with respect. Schools have been very supportive of our volunteers and Xu Bo staff will stay closely involved during your placement to ensure that you get all the support you need and prompt attention to any possible problems you might face. But you also must keep your part of the bargain. The schools rightfully expect you to meet the same standards of acceptable professional behavior they demand from their regular teachers. These expectations include:

	that you show up on-time for all of your lessons
	that you dedicate yourself to developing lessons helpful to the school's goals
	that you come to class well-rested and alert (late-night partying should be restricted to weekends)
	that any absence due to illness be reported to your teaching advisor as soon as possible. You must get oral permission: it isn't sufficient to send an email or text msg. Leave your mobile phone switched on so the school can find you if they need to.
	that any planned absences from assigned classes be discussed with school staff well in advance
	that you adhere to any other local policies expected by the school, such as attending teachers' meetings, etc.
	that you obey the school's curfews and rules for having visitors to your dormitory - these are often strictly enforced
	that you dress in accordance with the local dress code for teachers (usually fairly informal)
	that you help conserve energy costs at the school and at the volunteer flat. You must turn out lights and turn off air conditioning and/or heating units when they are not in use.

Xu Bo's Commitment to You

We understand that volunteers are making important contributions to our schools and to Chinese society in general. We know that you are sacrificing time and money to volunteer and we have the greatest respect and appreciation for your efforts. We dedicate ourselves to making your stay in China both rewarding and enjoyable. We will work with you closely during your placement and make every effort to ensure you are getting the most out of your assignment. We communicate with you and with your school's staff regularly to ensure your assignment goes smoothly and that any potential problems are addressed early. We also strive to make your free-time here rich and rewarding. We offer regular social gatherings for volunteers in the Shanghai area to help build community and bolster friendships between volunteers. We also help you arrange to see other parts of China by providing ideas for weekend travel and helping you to make travel arrangements as needed.

We really want you to have fun while you are here and to join the hundreds of volunteers who have passed through our doors and now look back at their experience as one of the richest of their lives. The opportunity to work in a Chinese school offers a chance to get to know the real China, a view of China not available to tourists in the bubble of their luxury hotel rooms and guided tour buses. This privileged view is made possible by dedicating yourself to your assignment. Like those who have gone before you, you will discover that the most satisfying and memorable moments in your experience will grow out of those situations where you have given the most of yourself.

Jessie Duanmu
Program Director
Xu Bo Art & Culture Exchange