Hi! Can you please state your name and current occupation?

My name is Jose A Parejo, father of two girls (Sarah 18, Andrea 15) and one boy (Daniel 21).  Since Aug. 2010 I have relocated to Copenhagen, working for The Carlsberg Group as VP Supply Chain Development. Previously, I lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan where I worked for the Kellogg Company. During my 21 years working for Kellogg, I had the opportunity to live in Venezuela, Mexico, Malaysia, UK and the US. During all these years I saw how my children and myself were gaining a complete different perspective of the world, it’s people, culture and that certainly has played an important factor in the lives of all of us.

When you performed your search what was the most important attribute you were seeking in a program?

When my daughter, in her HS senior year, asked me if she could take a gap-year before entering college, my response was that I could agree only if she would do use that year in an experience that I consider would enhance her personal growth. When she said she was thinking on going to China to experience the culture and learn Mandarin, I could not have thought of a better experience for her.

Upon that, I met with the Culture Counsel of the Republic of China in the Consulate offices in Houston and he did take me through the vast choices that you have in China and it’s different cities. I had a clear picture of what we wanted but the missing link was finding a service that could make me comfortable that my daughter would have someone to go to in case of any issue and more so, a service that could take her by the hand in the myriad of issues as school registration, medical attention, housing, local authorities requisites, etc..

We took our search to the Internet and found several companies that offered these services and after contacting some of them, I immediately noticed the quick response, great knowledge and outstanding knowledge around the questions and concerns we raised. Talking to Amy always gave me and my daughter a feeling of comfort.

Was the staff helpful in answering all of your questions in a timely manner?

Absolutely, not only answering our concerns but they did it in a very quick fashion and did it through email, phone contact number in the US and in Beijing.

Why did you choose NSC?

At a beginning, when you don’t have a clue on the background and actual results of the companies you find through the Internet, you go or base your decision on the conversations and email exchange you have with them, and by far I felt that NextStepChina was not only the most prepared and organized, but also gave you a feeling that they really did care and understood their true purpose, which is to make this experience the best for it’s participants.

How did you feel about NSC’s accommodations? (whether you visited or saw from Child’s pictures of skype video)

I did see the accommodations on the Internet but I also went with my daughter to Beijing for her the first week and NextStepChina offered me to stay in the same apartment during that week as my daughters roommate was not going to arrive during my stay. I could not have believed how nice these apartments are, they have every comfort you could ask for and more than anything, some of the staff from NSC lived in the same complex and was always in contact with the different participants, they were friends and certainly it came to a point where months later, my daughter told me that she felt Amy as her best friend and would call her my Mom in China.

How do you feel about NSC’s service?

I feel it was the best decision we ever made for this experience, it was worth every dollar and every minute we spent with them going over the basics.

Was there a time where NSC’s service impressed you? If so, please say the story.

NSC and mainly Derek and Amy, always exceeded my expectations, it went to a point where I could count with them for any issue I could related to my daughters stay in Beijing. And I can tell you, there will be issues, but NSC makes you feel always that these issues not only are being addressed but they do have a network that will resolve the issue. I had a lot of issues transferring money to my daughter as she lost her credit and debit cards and not surprising to me, NSC provided her with the money she needed and I would just transfer to their bank accounts in the US.  I could go on for hours on this but the other experience worth sharing is when my daughter caught a nasty virus. Not only did the staff  take her to the hospital but was all the three days of recovery always close to her, making sure everything was going well. What else can you ask? Outstanding!

Did NSC meet or exceed your expectations?

Certainly exceeded all our expectations, great Company, more so, great team of people really wanting to make a difference.

Would you recommend NSC and our programs?

I would not only recommend, I would say to anyone who has their kids going for this fantastic experience, that despite how much you believe they will get along by themselves, go with NSC, it is the best insurance for your kid and yourself, it will make your time in China so much easier and enjoyable.
Thanks to NSC, Derek and Amy, your support and true caring made a difference in Sarah’s time in Beijing. Her first birthday after being in Beijing, guess what she asked me to give her? Yes, a ticket to Beijing to go and celebrate her birthdate with all of you. We’ll see about that.

Thank you Jose!  :)