Luo Songsong

It was a winding path for Colombian Ricardo Cortes, 32, to become a private English teacher in Shenzhen, and he feels that his life experience gives him more to offer his students. He calls his classes “Wisdom Courses.”

After graduating from Yale University, the student of psychology and sociology decided not to step into the competitive work environment in the United States. Instead, he went to help his mother’s business in Guatemala.

With US$300 he started his own loan business meant to cater to the employees in his mom’s company.

After arriving in China and working in the export business for a while, he decided to pursue his dream in the education sector.

“My students are the source to develop my own life philosophy, and I like to spread it to more people,” said the Colombian.

“Since I came to China in 2011, I have been studying Chinese people’s psychology — their way of thinking, style of living, traditions and education. I do this so I know how to best teach them,” said Cortes who incorporates topics like values, relationships, motivation and personal growth into his courses.

After taking a teaching post in China, he found that many Chinese people are overworked and don’t know what they really want. “Although I am from another country, I still think that I can share my experience and give some suggestions to the people,” said Cortes.

“I hope to make their daily life more enjoyable by assisting them in relating better to their family, their friends, their lovers, their coworkers and their business partners,” he said.