Hi! Can you please state your name and current occupation?
My name is Lois Zaprzalka Sherr and I am the founder/director of LZS HONG KONG LTD, a consulting firm based in Hong Kong.
When you performed your search what was the most important attribute you were seeking in a program?
Our son, Alex, graduated from Hong Kong International School in June of 2010 and when he first talked to us about doing a gap year, he said he wanted to continue his Mandarin studies (he studied it for three years in High School) but would most likely need to live in China or Taiwan. My husband and I were both amazed and delighted that he had selected a truly worthwhile endeavor for his gap year and couldn’t have been more supportive of his choice. I confess that we let Alex do a good deal of the research as this was supposed to be “his” gap year.
Was the staff helpful in answering all of your questions in a timely manner?
Absolutely. It was reassuring to receive answers to all of our questions quickly and efficiently either by email or phone. We were also able to meet with Derek Capo in person and discuss NSC and its programs in depth when he happened to be in Hong Kong on business.
Why did you choose NSC?
As I mentioned, it was actually, our son, Alex, that did the research and found NSC through a friend who was planning a Mandarin course in Beijing. After considerable discussion, my husband, Alex and I were all in agreement that NSC could provide everything necessary… A place to live, school registration, tutors, help in case of medical emergency, etc. Most importantly, NSC was happy to provide friendship and camaraderie for Alex through the warm and nurturing attentions of Amy and Derek. What more could a parent ask for? Our son felt comfortable from day one— for all intents and purposes, he had an instant family and home in Beijing.
How did you feel about NSC’s accommodations?
My husband and I both accompanied our son when he moved to Beijing and were kindly offered the opportunity by Derek and Amy to stay with Alex in his new apartment for several days to help him unpack and settle into his new life. The apartment was terrific… comfortable, well furnished, and with virtually everything he needed to live in a self-sufficient manner. The apartment was located not far from where his university classes would be held and there were numerous places to eat and shop in the vicinity. Additionally, the staff at NSC resides in the same complex, so we were quite relieved that if our son needed anything, help was literally next door.
How do you feel about NSC’s service?
NSC’s service was (and continues to be) excellent. We consider it to be a full service company which left no stone unturned. Working together, we quickly sorted out everything from telephone and internet communication to contingency plans in case of trouble wiring money to our son.
Was there a time where NSC’s service impressed you? If so, please tell the story.
There were many! The first experience, however, still stands out as exemplary. We had the opportunity to meet Jane (english name), who was scheduled to be Alex’s tutor, and were pleasantly surprised when she was able to accompany us on a visit to Maliandao Tea Street. My husband loves tea, collects Yixing teapots and wanted to purchase one of his favorite oolongs, that he claims he has only found in Beijing. Well… we were able to see Jane in a glorious but friendly battle, bargaining with the owner of the teashop for the best price on tea and tea ware! We then went for a fabulous lunch in the area afterward, with Jane helping us order special dishes we had never tried. What an incredible lesson in Mandarin (as well as Chinese custom) it was for Alex!! We knew right then and there what a lucky boy he was and how incredible his experience was going to be in China. The tutors employed by NSC have all been carefully selected and “tested” and couldn’t be better.
Did NSC meet or exceed your expectations?
Exceeded! NSC has thought long and hard about what they need to offer to stand out as the right choice. I also believe that since the NSC staff are still working so hard to build their company, they probably offer more bang for the buck. My husband and I continue to view NSC as an exceptional value.
Would you recommend NSC and our programs?
I believe NSC is uniquely qualified to serve pretty much anyone interested in learning Mandarin (beginner, intermediate, advanced) for a short term, or the long haul. I cannot recommend it highly enough! My husband and I continue to remind our son that by living in Beijing and studying Mandarin, he is basically increasing the number of people he can communicate with in the world… by about a billion!
Meanwhile, our son is so happy with the program, he is seriously considering staying with NSC for a second year, in order to become truly fluent in Mandarin.
