Josi Thurgood heading overseas to teach English

Some graduate high school and plan to continue their education through college. Others decide they want to go straight into the work force. Still others choose a difference path, such as Josi Thurgood, who is preparing to spend the next few months in Chiangsha, China, teaching English to students.

Thurgood explained she learned of the opportunity, provided through the International Language Program (ILP), from a friend and after a little more research decided it was something she wanted to do. Though she wanted to go to Thailand, Thurgood explained because of the timing of her application China was the only place she could travel.

As part of her application, she sent in her passport to the ILP, and the organization handled the arrangements of setting up her work visa. The visa, she noted, is for one trip into the country. That means she won’t be able to leave China — not even to visit a neighboring country — otherwise she won’t be able to get back in. She flies out Aug. 28 and will officially return to the United States on Dec. 17.

As for her schedule while she’s teaching, Thurgood said she was told it could change a lot. She will be teaching English for four hours a day, five days a week, working mainly with students who are ages younger than 4 to 7. Though she doesn’t know much Chinese, Thurgood was told it would be easier to simply teach the students English so they could speak to her. Out in public, she noted, she will have a translator to help her out.

Thurgood is also looking ahead at making a second trip through the ILP. She explained she will be evaluated on how well she is teaching the students and how much they are getting from her lessons. If she has a positive evaluation, the program will provide her an opportunity to go to another country. The total cost of the program is a little more than $2,000, which covers airfare, housing and food.

This trip, Thurgood said, would also provide her some time to decide what she wants to do next, whether it be college or something else. She’s very excited to make the trip, and even more excited to meet and work with the students. “I think they will be a ball of fun.”