Welcome back from Ordos! Well, maybe all of you didn’t go to Ordos, as I hear that many foreigners in China like going to Thai resorts so that they can imagine that they are VIPs, somehow innately deserving of a superior lifestyle than common muck, before returning to Shanghai ... Read More
SCIS Grade 11 student Julia Moon discovers the ancient history and beauty of Beijing
For our first family trip in China, my family decided to go to Beijing—China’s cultural, historical and political center. It took almost five hours on a high-speed train from Shanghai to Beijing.
When we ... Read More
Your heart sinks as soon as you see the email in your inbox. “I don’t know if you remember us but we’re friends of your aunt ...” More damn visitors. A peril of living in Shanghai is that it’s a city every one of your friends and relations ... Read More
We were going through the animal years, until it was suggested that there IS, no there really IS, a Year Of The Giraffe. No? Alright then, you have the endless discussion with a little girl about it and then see what conclusion you draw.
To change the subject as abruptly ... Read More
You’ve been in Shanghai for some months now, but to you, it’s still a strange, confusing place. Then you realize with a start that your children have just ordered directly from the Chinese menu while you’re still looking up the word for “fork” on Pleco. Why is ... Read More
Expat families can sometimes find themselves in something of a bubble. A lot of us hang out exclusively with other expats, eat almost nothing but foreign food and wind up barely experiencing China at all. With the Chinese New Year nearly upon us, now is the time of year when ... Read More
The Shanghai Rego International School is in a storm of controversy after admitting that their teachers do not hold legal work visas and they are having difficulties paying their wages.
At a meeting of approximately two hundred parents and teachers held Wednesday night at the school’s Minhang campus, Chairman ... Read More
The value of teaching American history to expat students is a topic of debate among Shanghai's international schools. While some educators see it as culturally relevant, others find it to be more burdensome, especially for students who don’t hold U.S. passports or don't plan on going ... Read More
Thankfully, it’s 2012! I hate the last days of a year around 27 – 30 December, it’s like the end of a party where there’s no one left – you’ve missed the midnight fatty-grab and have nothing but flat Coke and the cold prospect of a lonely walk ... Read More
Whether it’s Superman, the Little Mermaid, or real life parents, educators and celebrities, every child grows up with role models. As parents, we are in control of being the best role models for our kids, but managing the expectations of our children in terms of outside heroic figures is ... Read More
“Last week I rode on a bear at the wild animal park,” my 7-year-old told us casually over dinner. I choked on my noodles. “A bear?” I spluttered. “You mean a mechanical sort of bear you put coins in, right?”
“No,” she said, “a real bear. It had a thing ... Read More
It’s the time of year when you and your family enjoy a carte blanche to party as much as you like --at least, party as much as you like in a clean, family-friendly way. Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, Back to School – kids are always in the mood ... Read More
Apologies for the brief hiatus there – I was too busy getting 2000 RMB spa treatments and then interminably writing about them, drinking wine and then telling people that I drank wine, eating entirely tasteless, matchbox-sized pieces of bread that are labeled ‘High Tea’ and sold for 300 RMB (+15%, + your ... Read More
When you’re pregnant, you're the center of the world. Everyone asks you how you are, if they can do anything to help, and if you really shouldn’t be getting some more rest. Fast forward a few months and you’re on your own with a screaming infant ... Read More
Our youngest was recently ambushed by an old lady in our lane, and afterwards returned to the house with a fragile bundle of the small striped kitten variety, presented to her as a “gift.” We rushed out to find the kind gift-giver but she had conveniently disappeared. When we finally ... Read More
In 1904, American psychologist and educator Stanley Hall “discovered” adolescence. Before this, many societies didn’t recognize adolescence as a distinct phase of life and children were often required to take on adult roles straight out of childhood. Thus, as soon as a child showed signs of maturity—as a ... Read More
Concordia Grade 5 student Jenna Gaylord and her family take a cruise through Australia and New Zealand
Over Christmas break, my family and I, my grandparents and two other families went on a Princess Cruise around Australia and New Zealand. This was the best way to see both places because ... Read More
Grade 10 SSIS student Sherry Hsiao discovers the majestic beauty of the Grand Palace in Bangkok
For anyone looking to enjoy a relaxing getaway and visit a cultural landmark, I would highly recommend a trip to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. The Grand Palace consists of 22 buildings which ... Read More
I think it was around last Monday when it finally happened. Since November, all the elevator small talk has been the same: “Shouldn’t I be freezing my butt off by now?” and “I can’t believe it’s winter, and I’m only wearing one layer of underwear!” Then ... Read More
Would you say your kids are thriving at school or merely surviving? We all want our children to be happy, but how can you help them truly flourish both at home and at school?
Identify Character Strengths
Sarah Pearlz, Psychologist at Shanghai American School, has spent a great deal of ... Read More
Video of the Week: The Trailer for "S...
By MF2232
why is the word expat in quotes in all of this film's promo material? i guess... >>