Three Months in Changsha: Lessons in Teaching and Wellbeing

Spending three months living and teaching in Changsha was one of the most transformative experiences of my career. I taught at Changsha Country Garden School, a private boarding school, where I was responsible for 15 different classes of students ranging from 5 to 16 years old. It was a big step up in responsibility, but it taught me so much about teaching, managing large groups, and understanding the mindset of Chinese students.

I primarily taught English, but I also introduced an extracurricular programme that included Bollywood dance, yoga, meditation, debate, and public speaking. I wanted to bring creativity and fun into their routines—something many of them weren’t used to. The response was incredible. The students were so engaged, and it was rewarding to see them stepping out of their comfort zones and embracing new skills.

One of the biggest things I learned was how seriously Chinese students approach their education. Their schedules were intense—long study hours, packed timetables, and a deep focus on academic results. From a young age, many students were already planning their future university and career paths, with the goal of studying abroad. Their focus and determination were inspiring, but it also made me aware of the pressure they were under.

This experience reinforced the importance of long-term planning—something I’ve made central to our approach at The Shan Academy. Chinese students have a remarkable drive to succeed, but they often lack the softer skills that help them navigate life beyond academics. That’s why we focus not just on exam success, but also on building life skills, confidence, and resilience. Teaching debate and public speaking in Changsha showed me how powerful these skills can be in helping students express themselves and think critically—this is why they’re a key part of the Shan Academy curriculum today.

My personal highlight was leading the yoga and meditation sessions. For most of the students (and even the teachers), it was their first experience with anything focused on mindfulness and relaxation. In such a high-pressure environment, these sessions gave them a rare moment of peace and calm. Slowly but surely, more students started signing up each week, and it became clear how much they valued that space to reset and breathe. Seeing the positive impact it had on their mental health was incredibly fulfilling and reinforced my belief that emotional and academic support must go hand in hand.

By the end of my time in Changsha, I had truly immersed myself in the Chinese education system and culture. I was even offered a permanent, highly competitive teaching position—but I knew that my experience there had already given me exactly what I needed. The insights I gained about long-term planning, discipline, and the value of life skills are now embedded into the core of The Shan Academy. This experience shaped the way I teach and guide students today, helping them not just to succeed academically, but to thrive in life.