Rural teaching in Guangxi

🏡 Your home in Fengyan
Stay in the village and share a room with four to six participants of the same gender. Rooms can be locked and have bedding, fans, air conditioning and heating. There are western-style bathrooms with hot showers. Bring your own towels; there is no safe.

Wi-Fi is available in common areas, although the signal can vary. Laundry facilities and shared spaces are available. Keep essential travel details and contacts offline, and respect the routines of the people sharing the house.

🍜 Meals together
Three meals are provided on weekdays and two at weekends, with dinner only on arrival day. Drinking water, coffee and Chinese tea are available. Food is mainly Chinese: rice, noodles, dumplings, vegetables, tofu, eggs and dishes that may contain pork, chicken or duck. Vegetarian options can be requested. Tell us about allergies and dietary needs before departure.

Everyday practicalities
Bilingual coordinators live at the centre and help with programme questions and local arrangements. A small shop sells snacks. Larger shops and ATMs require a trip to town, around 30 minutes away. Ask the team about transport and payment options, and plan ahead for personal spending.

🛡️ Get ready for school and village life
The standard age range is 16–65, with intermediate English. Complete the HeyLocals self-declaration in your personal area before departure, and prepare your CV. No formal teaching qualification is required. Participants under 18 need signed parental consent; adult accompaniment is strongly encouraged and arrangements must be agreed in advance.

Participants over 65 need medical clearance and prior confirmation. Contact HeyLocals before booking so eligibility and any support needs can be confirmed. Expect periods outdoors, warm weather, insects and walks; suitable fitness and adaptability matter.

Follow local teachers’ instructions and safeguarding rules. Respect students’ privacy and obtain the required permission before taking or sharing photos. Wear clothing suitable for school, with shoulders and knees covered, and bring comfortable shoes, sun protection and insect repellent.

Arrange insurance for your planned activities and ask a qualified doctor or travel clinic for personal health guidance. Keep travel documents and support details secure and accessible offline. During orientation, learn how to reach the team and report illness, injuries or concerns promptly.

🧭 Your first Monday
Meet the local team and other participants, talk through teaching expectations and begin planning activities. The introduction helps you understand both your role in the classroom and everyday life at the house.

Explore Fengyan’s traditional Yao homes and surrounding countryside, learn about the village and make your first visit to the school environment. Walks and activities depend on local conditions and the group’s needs.

Ask about classroom routines, appropriate clothing, safeguarding, travel and getting help. Share any experience or needs that could affect your placement. Local teachers remain responsible for the students; your role is to support their work.

From Tuesday, join teaching and classroom activities alongside lesson preparation and cultural experiences. Evenings may include Mahjong, a film or time together, while free-time plans remain flexible.

✈️ Plan for a Sunday arrival in Gongcheng
The pickup point is Gongcheng High-Speed Railway Station. The local team collects participants throughout Sunday, with your arrival agreed in advance. You may wait for other participants before travelling together to Fengyan.

Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is the recommended international gateway, followed by a high-speed train to Gongcheng. Depending on your route, you can also consider Shenzhen, Hong Kong or Guilin. Guilin is closer but has fewer international connections. Your flight and journey to the station are separate from the pickup.

🚆 Before booking
Confirm a selected programme start date first, then check current train schedules and connections. Book using the passport you will travel with and keep tickets, meeting instructions and support contacts available offline. Send the team your arrival details and report any changes promptly.

If you cannot find your contact, remain at the agreed meeting point and use the support details you received. Arrivals outside Sunday require a separate arrangement. For your return, leave the accommodation on Saturday morning and confirm the route and any transfer costs with HeyLocals before booking onward travel.

You do not need a teaching qualification, but you should have intermediate English and be comfortable preparing simple activities. Local teachers guide the classroom work. The standard age range is 16–65.

Complete the HeyLocals self-declaration in your personal area and provide your CV. The team will help you prepare these documents. The programme does not list a passport copy as a separate application requirement, although you still need valid travel documents.

Participants under 18 need signed parental consent, with adult accompaniment strongly encouraged. Participants over 65 need medical clearance and prior confirmation of eligibility. Please discuss these arrangements before booking.