Last week, the entire WildChina Education team gathered in the picturesque town of Songyang, Zhejiang, for a week-long retreat. The week was filled with inspiring discussions, creative breakthroughs, and unforgettable moments that deepened our connections with one another. The five days flew by, leaving us with cherished memories of a truly transformative experience. Watch the video to see the highlights!

It feels like just yesterday we had our last Kick-off Meeting, but if you’ve been paying attention, you might have noticed some new faces in the team. Indeed, our team has been rapidly growing, with many new members joining us over the past semester.

In times of rapid growth, it’s crucial to ensure we’re heading in the right direction. This retreat’s primary goal was to reflect on how WCE has achieved its current success, what we’ve done right, and how we can continue to improve.

Our Director, Haena, kicked off the retreat by emphasizing the core values that define WCE: curiosity, passion, and wholehearted dedication. These qualities are essential for us as educators and are what drive our continuous pursuit of innovation and excellence, enabling us to reach new heights.

However, as we strive for excellence, it’s vital that every step we take is grounded and solid. That’s why, as Lina and Andy, our Co-Heads of Operations Team, highlighted during the retreat, our focus in the upcoming semester will be on building more efficient and standardized systems. The ultimate goal is to provide even greater support to each team member, enabling them to accomplish tasks with higher efficiency and quality.

Reflecting our commitment to innovation and unconventional thinking, the activities outside our meetings were designed as experiential learning journeys, inspired by classic student activities.

One of the highlights was a scavenger hunt in the old town of Songyang, where teams had to complete 14 different tasks to earn points and win the competition. Tasks included learning the local dialect from residents, discovering the story behind Songyang’s name, and recording a dance video with locals.

As professionals accustomed to designing activities for students, we often find ourselves supporting from the sidelines or already knowing all the answers. But this time, stepping into the role of students ourselves reminded us that curiosity needs to be rekindled. It’s essential that, as we lead children on their journeys, we do so with the true spirit of explorers.

We also ventured into the mountains for a hike, where we paused to observe tea farmers at work in the tea fields. The harmony between the smallness of humans and the vastness of nature was deeply moving. During this hike, we engaged in a community service activity—a regular component of our trips—by picking up litter in the village. Seeing the unexpected places where trash appeared gave us a visceral understanding of humanity’s impact on the environment and the responsibility each of us has to do what we can.

Of course, no trip is complete without fun and laughter. Whether splashing in a stream, having a Masterchef competition outdoors, excelling in games, or enjoying a barbecue under the stars, WCE’s vibrant energy is fueled by our passionate and warm-hearted team.

The WildChina Education (WCE) team recently gathered in Songyang, Zhejiang, for a week-long retreat, where they engaged in inspiring discussions, creative breakthroughs, and team-building activities. The retreat focused on reflecting on WCE’s success, examining what has been done right, and planning for future improvements. Director Haena emphasized the core values of curiosity, passion, and dedication that drive the team’s pursuit of innovation and excellence. Co-Heads of Operations, Lina and Andy, highlighted the upcoming focus on building more efficient and standardized systems to better support the team.

The adventurous journey included experiential learning activities like a scavenger hunt in Songyang’s old town, where team members completed tasks to earn points, and a hike in the mountains, which featured a community service activity of picking up litter. These activities reminded the team of the importance of maintaining a spirit of curiosity and environmental responsibility. The environmental field trips was also filled with fun moments, including a Masterchef competition and a barbecue under the stars, reinforcing WCE’s vibrant and passionate team culture.

SEE YOU IN THE FALL SEMESTER!