The Rahul family pose for a photo during the graduation ceremony. Photo: Courtesy of Huamao Foreign Language School

Having worked in China for nearly five years, Indian teacher Rahul has settled into the routine at the Ningbo Huamao Foreign Language School as he strolls around the campus with his wife and child.

In Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province, many international families like Rahul's are enjoying the local lifestyle.

'100 kids, 100 worlds'

"What attracts me most about China is its culture. Since coming to Ningbo, I've had a great time working with Chinese teachers and the lovely children," Rahul said.

Rahul has worked in international education across a number of countries. When he got an offer from China, he took it without hesitation. Huamao Foreign Language School is a K-12 school where ­Rahul teaches in high school and his wife Preetha teaches in the middle school, while their son is also enrolled at the middle school.

"Chinese culture gives me a sense of close connection, such as its emphasis on family values and gratitude education," Preetha said. Her son likes Chinese idioms and proverbs the most. Once Preetha talked about an idiom she learned in Chinese class - "giving a rose, leaves one's own hand fragrant," it reminded her of similar expressions in Indian proverbs.

"The Indians say 'help paddle your friend across the river and you can reach the other end.' Although the stories are different, children can learn the same virtue of helping others," said Preetha.

With these thoughts in mind, Preetha aimed to do something beyond the classroom for children. A few years ago, she established an "organic planting club" in the school and helped students from various countries in planting sweet potatoes and carrots on campus fields to learn about the knowledge of farming. Nowadays, many extracurricular clubs such as art and sports are initiated by Chinese or foreign teachers in the school.

"One of the educational philosophies of our school is that 100 children represent 100 worlds. We respect the different characteristics of each child. This approach is similar to Confucius' idea of teaching students in accordance with their aptitude," Rahul said, highlighting his love of multi-culture education. 

The Espejo family Photo: Courtesy of Huamao Foreign Language School

'To understand a real China'

Outside the kindergarten classroom, a blonde-haired girl is reading San Zi Jing, or the Three Character Classic, a traditional children's rhyme that dates back to Song Dynasty (960-1279) and teaches the principles of life.

The owner of the book, 3-year-old Sofia who speaks three languages. Her father is Espejo from Colombia and her mother is Fujimoto Sayaka from Japan. The family used to communicate in Spanish and Japanese and now they also speak Chinese.

To Espejo's surprise, since his children went to kindergarten, they love to communicate in Chinese. 

"We also have to catch up on Chinese. Otherwise, we won't be able to keep up with them when they share their 'little secrets,'" said Fujimoto.

In Espejo's view, her daughter's love for Chinese language and culture is positive. In the past few years when he conducted academic research and taught in Germany, Chile and Japan, he found that some young people have misunderstandings about China.

"For example, many people think that Chinese people are good at kung fu, and that the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors are scenes that only exist in mythology. I didn't know much about China as well and often needed to do my homework," Espejo said.

In 2020, Espejo went to teach at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. With the encouragement of his Chinese colleagues and his daughter, he began to dabble in Chinese poetry, drama, tea art, and even brought a thermos cup with him, a typically sight in a Chinese classroom.

"Since moving to China, many of my former colleagues and friends asked us how things are going in China. Sometimes Sofia gave a quick response that 'the Great Wall is really magnificent and you are welcome to come and visit,'" Espejo said. "Getting to know a real China not only expands the child's horizons, but also enhances her communication skills, which is very helpful for her development."

Roberts' two kids pose for a photo on the opening day of the new school year. Photo: Courtesy of Huamao Foreign Language School

'We've decided to settle in here'

"Have you eaten yet?" Roberts, a teacher from South Africa, amused herself saying this in Ningbo dialect when meeting the reporter. 

"Let me treat you to steamed buns. The ones with stuffed meat are the most delicious," said Nike, Roberts' 12-year-old son whose Chinese drew laughter from people around.

Roberts and her husband are both teachers in Ningbo, and their two children are also studying in China. Roberts said that she came to China because she heard that it was a safe country and she can earn a decent income. After living in China for a long time, she found that this is a place that offers people a sense of belonging.

At Huamao school, foreign teachers and their Chinese counterparts work together to prepare lessons. After coming to China, Roberts made friends with many Chinese teachers. In addition to discussing education and conducting research, they also go to the market, do online shopping on Taobao, and ride electric bicycles. Roberts said that after working in the school for five years, she has become a "Ningbo-savvy" despite occasionally needing a translator.

Chinese teacher Chen Jie, Roberts' roommate, shared an interesting story.

"Once we heard of a good Shaanxi noodle restaurant and wanted to invite Roberts to try it. We were about to open the map app and search for it when Roberts immediately told us the address. It turned out that she had already been there with her family," Chen said.

During winter and summer vacations, the Roberts' family travel across China, visiting the ice exhibition in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, watching traditional Sichuan  opera in Southwest China's Sichuan Province and taking a speedboat in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province. Roberts said that when they posted photos from their trips on social media, their relatives and friends in their hometown were amazed by the beautiful scenery.

"Everything in China is beautiful, and the most beautiful thing is the people. In festivals, students' parents and colleagues invite us to make dumplings and eat moon cakes together, which is very heartwarming," Roberts said. "The Chinese students once taught me an ancient saying - The place that makes me feel at ease is my hometown."

"Ningbo is my second hometown, and we have decided to settle in here," she said.

Huamao Foreign Language School in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province Photo: Courtesy of Huamao Foreign Language School