Sabrina’s experience report from Zaozhuang
Shared meals played an important role in social interaction and went a long way towards helping us get to know the culture and everyday life better.
Sabrina
Visiting lecturer at the Vocational College of Science and Technology
in the Department of Automotive Manufacturing and Testing Technology
The training centre
Vocational College of Science and Technology, Zaozhuang
The educational institution is a technically oriented university with a strong practical focus. It trains students primarily in engineering and technical disciplines. My teaching took place in the Department of Automotive Manufacturing and Testing Technology.
The students have a solid theoretical foundation and show great interest in international specialist knowledge, particularly in European and German standards, methods and practical examples. The group size totalled around 100 students.
What you should definitely bring with you from home?
- Well-structured teaching materials
- Practical examples and visual aids
- Openness, patience and intercultural sensitivity
- Flexibility in dealing with unfamiliar teaching and learning cultures
Work and Training
My role involved delivering courses in the modules ‘Automotive Culture’ and ‘Inspection and Repair of Electronic Engine Management Systems’. Teaching took the form of lectures, practical sessions, workshops and group work.
My working hours were based on the university’s timetable. On-site support was very well organised throughout. A German-speaking coordinator provided me with support throughout my time there, acting both as an organisational point of contact and as a translator.
The work routine was clearly structured, whilst at the same time there was sufficient flexibility to adapt the content to the students’ level and needs.
Accommodation and dining
I was staying in a hotel right next to the university. The accommodation was comfortable, clean and well-equipped. Most of my meals were eaten in local restaurants and in the university canteen.
Chinese cuisine is very varied and offered a wide selection of fresh, hot dishes. Sharing meals played an important role in social interaction and helped me to get to know the culture and everyday life much better.
