Student Testimonials

In May 2007 when I was 21 years old, I started the MAIS program. Earlier that year I had graduated with my Bachelor's in International Affairs and received my TEFL certification. I could teach abroad with both of these credentials, but I knew I was capable of achieving more. I started Concordia with little knowledge of the MAIS program and curriculum, with the exception of knowing there was an emphasis in education or business and the opportunity to teach in Asia. It is why I joined. Earning my Master's Degree in International Studies, emphasized in education could only solidify my passion for international edification, and make me more desirable to future employees. And it truly did.

During the year abroad I spent in Shanghai with MAIS, I taught for Scholastic Asia, a franchise of the Scholastic Publishing Company. What I had learned from my previous TEFL training, and the education classes I was taking with the MAIS program, I made the most of my year with Scholastic. And that had its rewards. Scholastic chose me for the front cover of their distribution materials, parents praised me for my zeal and passion in the classroom, and other teachers came to me for advice. At the end of my contract term, I knew my next obstacle was to complete my thesis. I chose to return home for a few months to complete this task. The thesis is a job in itself and I was unable to balance living and working abroad while trying to complete it successfully. Before leaving Shanghai, I attempted to negotiate a new contract with Scholastic. I knew the future opportunities they could offer my career would never reach what I know I am capable of achieving. So I walked away. I walked next store to their competitor Disney English. I gave them my resume, told them they needed to hire me since I would be an asset to their company.

Disney English had only been opened in Shanghai a few months. It is Walt Disney Publishing Company's new venture on international English education. What I found interesting is that Disney English is not a franchise. It is a recognized branch and legitimate part of the international Walt Disney World Company. To me, that means there are infinite possibilities of accelerating my future career with them. I went home, finished my thesis, graduated from the MAIS program, and applied to come back to Shanghai to work for Disney English. With a Bachelor's and Master's degree in International Studies, a TEFL certification, and a year of teaching experience in Shanghai, I was offered a position. They offered me the Senior Foreign Trainer position, which is considered the second in command of a center's academics. When the manager is gone, I am in charge of the academic staff.

In the last two years Disney English has opened 8 centers in Shanghai and has plans for a handful more. They are looking to expand to cities like Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Guangdong, and Hong Kong. After that, they are considering other countries they can penetrate like Brazil, Korea, Russia, and Eastern Europe. I had been working with them for roughly 6 months when the opportunity arose to help open Beijing. I chose to apply for the Learning Language Director (a.k.a. Academic Director/Manager) position. With two degrees, two TEFL certifications, 3 years teaching experience, and knowing the ins and outs of Disney English, I was a prime candidate.

In the 3 years since starting the MAIS program and 1 year after completing it, I am proud to say at 24 years old, I am the youngest Director for Disney English. I have been given the responsibility and opportunity to manage an academic team and be part of opening the first Beijing Disney English center. There were obstacles that I had to overcome while I was working on my MAIS course work, and in life I had to deal with at the same time. There were times when I thought I could not do it and wanted to give up. And there were times when I had to take breaks, reevaluate what I was doing and where I wanted to go.

At the end of the day, regardless of the hiccups, upsets, and many miscommunications, I would not be where I am and would not have the opportunities I do if I had not continued my education with Concordia and the MAIS program. Find your strengths. Find your passions. Find a need in the world and fill it. Then you will be successful. MAIS made it possible for my passions to be successful and I will be forever grateful. I am in my career job with a successful international company doing what I love. Life is good. Good luck to you and your bright future with Concordia.

Kimberly N. Griffin '08
Learning Language Director Beijing EC-Mall
Disney English Language Learning

“Joining this MAIS program has made a big impact on my life experience. I was able to adapt to a totally different culture and learn to live independently out of my comfort zone. I was able to learn the language and use it on a daily basis to get around not only Shanghai, but all around the other China provinces. This MAIS program has given me a chance to appreciate what I already have, but also see how much more there is out there in this world. The benefits of joining this program is that I was able to live abroad, learn the culture and language, make new local and foreign friends, and travel. Traveling was the best part! Besides exploring the different provinces in China, I also traveled through 5-6 different countries during my time there. Joining this program was definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made! Not only did I get to do everything I mentioned above, I also earned my master’s degree! What more can you ask for? I can’t get enough of it! I still want to go back to China! Just don’t forget that you are there to complete your internship and degree! Study hard, work hard, and play hard!”

Phuong Vuong ‘08
Air Export
Phoenix International Freight

"The MAIS program gave me the valuable opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and to challenge myself. You will learn new things about yourself you never knew, all while earning your Master¹s degree and living and working in China. The Chinese culture is unique, vibrant and moving to a tune that is all its own and with Concordia's MAIS program you will be right in the heart of it all! It is a once in a lifetime experience that will remain with you forever."

Amy Kao ‘09
Current MAIS Student