Lilli & a Shanghai Family
February – June 2025 (4 months)
Lilli, from Germany, first reached out via social media. At that point, she had already secured a host family in Shanghai but needed help navigating the visa process and school registration. Cherie supported her in finalizing documents, coordinating with a local Mandarin school, and managing the visa logistics. The application moved quickly, and Lilli arrived in China soon after.
Her placement was originally set for six months. However, after four months in Shanghai, the program ended early due to a mismatch in expectations — something that occasionally happens in cultural exchange settings. While shorter than planned, the experience still offered Lilli a window into daily life in a Chinese family.
The host family already had a bilingual nanny, which meant the child’s English level was notably strong. Lilli’s primary task was to speak German with the child, especially during school pickups, home routines, and leisure time. The family valued this exposure, as one of the parents worked in a German-speaking business environment and wanted to introduce their daughter to the language early.
During her stay, Lilli became ill once and needed medical care. Thanks to the insurance arranged as part of her program, she was able to access hospital support with a Chinese-speaking escort. This helped bridge both language barriers and the procedural complexity of visiting clinics in China, where paperwork, registrations, and wait times can feel overwhelming to newcomers.
While the placement was shorter than expected, it reflected the reality of many exchange journeys — not all experiences follow the exact timeline originally planned. What matters more is the way challenges are managed, and the support structures in place to help participants feel safe and cared for throughout.