The John Speak Language Trust helped me achieve my dreams!
In the early 1990s I was awarded a grant by the John Speak Language Trust.
The grant was a turning point for me – I gained enormously in confidence as a result of getting support from an outside organisation who did not know me!
After graduation, I decided to return to China in an attempt to ‘give something back’. I got a two year contract (which I later extended for a further year) working with a Chinese NGO on education projects. I was based in a teacher training college in rural Jiangxi province teaching a range of courses (including business – not that I think China’s economic miracle has much to do with that!) and stayed there for three years before returning to the UK.
After a number of years working in UK for a large software company I was headhunted by a UK charity where I was asked to head up their Chinese department. I did this role for eight years and during this time got involved in a range of interesting programmes and projects, including being the external evaluator for a WHO-led HIV/Aids programme.
More recently I have completed a PhD in Chinese Studies and, in the past 6 months, begun work as a Lecturer in Chinese Studies at University of Leeds.
Over the years I have often thought of the help the John Speak Language Trust gave me all those years ago, and as I am now back in Yorkshire I thought that I would now formally write to thank the Trust Committee once again, and to provide an up-date on my own progress.
It is great to know that the Trust is still thriving and able to help students, like me, fulfil their dreams.
Thank you.
Caroline Fielder