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International Exchange Program Manager Phil Visits Xian
March 29, 2018 | KL Community

Phil Makes Travel a Priority

By Isa Chen, KL Marketing Associate

The first time I walked into KL’s office in Chongqing, I recognized the KL Exchange Programs board on the wall of my new office and I guessed that it belonged to Shen Lei (Phil). Having just come from working in the US office, I had often heard Phil’s name (and his laugh!) from the numerous video meetings our two offices held regularly. But who exactly would I be sharing office space with?

How wonderful to meet Phil in person! As he took the initiative to explain China office details to me (starting with the oh-so important Wi-Fi password!), and patiently answered my questions about his work, I could see that my new office mate was a warmhearted and thoughtful man. It wasn’t long before I realized that he was also a person full of curiosity and wonder. After admiring my makeshift stand-up desk, he declared with an admiring face, “How clever! What a great way to work. I’m going to buy something similar this weekend.”

Isa & Phil KL Marketing Office in Chongqing

Isa (L) and Phil (R) hard at work at their makeshift stand-up desks

Upon noticing my black coffee cup that displays a beautiful image only when filled with tea, he began frequently and spontaneously filling my cup with hot water saying, “I just want to watch it change color.”

Color changing coffee mug

The infamous color-changing coffee mug

This sort of fascination with life is what makes Phil so very good at his job. As KL Exchange Program Manager for our students in China, Phil handles operations for our short-term international youth exchange programs, giving students the opportunity to live, study, and experience life in a US school. In his free time, he and his wife take weekend trips often to surrounding areas. “Different places not only have different customs, cultures, and landscapes, but they have different tastes. No matter a region’s culinary specialty, I am drawn to places I’ve never been in order to taste food I’ve never eaten.”

Tasting a mango ice shake in Ciqikou Ancient Chongqing

Trying a mango ice shake in Ciqikou – an ancient town in Chongqing

Phil chose youth exchange programs as a career because he loves to travel. Now, six years later, he can see that his job only makes his leisure trips more rewarding. In fact, he views every weekend excursion as research for his exchange program planning. But how does he decide where to go? At the end of the day, there’s one factor that helps him choose his travel destinations. “My mouth and my stomach always lead me to the right place!”

Travelling in China

Oftentimes Phil takes a spontaneous journey to help him unwind from work, or a trip with friends to build closer relationships and meet new people. Sometimes he plans an elaborate and lengthy trip. But all of it inspires him with ideas for future exchange programs. “Travel broadens horizons and helps you see the world in a new way,” he says. “Like the old Chinese saying goes, ‘It is better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books’. Everyone should see the outside world, but more importantly, let the outside world see you. You will come to understand more people and more cultures, and to me that’s the real meaning of ‘exchange’.”

Travelling in China

Phil visiting Chengdu Park with wife Amy

Learn more about the transformative experiences we offer students at our KL Schools and in our KL Exchange Programs.

新春快乐

随着我们沉浸在春节的欢乐氛围中,我们很高兴与大家分享我们校园里的一些温馨时刻。我们的外教们积极参与了这些庆祝活动,从诚挚的祝福到传统的书法,他们真正融入了这个特殊节日的丰富文化之中。
我们很高兴分享一段由平湖电视台近期录制的特别视频,主角是我们敬业的教师之一——Allan Bowers。在这段短视频中,Allan回顾了自己在平湖的教学与生活岁月,分享了在平湖中学圣玛丽国际部中的旅程感悟。他对教学的热情、对学生的奉献,以及在这个充满活力的社区中建立的联系,都极其鼓舞人心。
在当今瞬息万变的教育环境中,是什么让一个教育机构真正卓尔不群?答案在于清晰愿景、富有热忱的教育者和全方位支持体系的无缝融合。这种融合不仅体现在我们的日常运营中,更深深植根于我们的组织文化。让我们一起走进这个充满活力的教育生态系统,看看它是如何激发每位教育者的潜能,推动教育创新的发展。
引言:携手共进,共创辉煌 2024年8月,诺林国际教育迎来了公司成立12周年的重要时刻,同时举办了一年一度的公司峰会。
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