Our teachers will often get together for group events. This small community of servant leaders may join each other for nightly mass, group meals, or celebrations for holidays and birthdays. Many events are informal but can help foreign teachers feel more comfortable while across the globe from home.
However, some events may involve some additional planning but will enhance the local community. Many teachers will participate in service projects together. For example, helping Chinese Seminarians learn English could be one project. Another previous project is baking cookies to raise money for those in need.
Maryknoll teachers work hard and provide an excellent service to their Chinese community. However, they also form life-long relationships with their students and fellow foreign teachers. Being part of the Maryknoll teachers community helps individuals grow spiritually but also gain valuable experience. Being entrenched in an entirely different culture for the year-round experience or even for only a few weeks for the summer program, is something that you cannot learn in the classroom.