Gordon Strick (Walpole High School)

In 2014 & 2017 Walpole High School students travelled to Taiwan on a trip organized by Beyond Education CEO John Stephenson and by me, founder of the WHS (Ma.) Mandarin Program. I selected Beyond Education for several reasons. Taiwan represents a flowering of 2000 years of Chinese culture. It has stunning geography; modern, safe cities; a highly educated citizenry; ancient temples; fabulous night markets; and a warm, welcoming population. Beyond Education offers intimate and unique access to all of these features in a way that no other tour group can.  I also partnered with Beyond Education because of John Stephenson. He's been living in Taiwan for 30 years, and has (by my reckoning) more knowledge about Taiwan's geography than 95% of the native population. This leads to exciting activities like overnighting in Aboriginal villages; snorkeling with tortoises offshore; or picking tea in the highlands.

Beyond Education also takes a deep dive into Taiwanese culture. Students spend several nights with local families, and take city tours led by local student guides. For Mandarin learners this is a great chance to practice.  On a typical day you might go to the National Palace Museum, stroll about downtown Taipei, attend a night lantern ceremony in the nearby mountains, eat dumplings at a night market, and bed down in a comfortable hostel.
Before settling down as a teacher I lived and worked in both Taiwan and China. That's how I met John. In 2009 & 2011 I travelled to China with my early Mandarin students. Once I became aware that John had started his business in Taiwan I jumped at the opportunity. And so should you!