PERU — Brett Hine has spent the last three years teaching English in China and has returned to his hometown to reconnect with family and share his experience with others.

He will speak about his life in China at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Peru Baptist Church. The public is invited.

Hine, a 2008 Bates College graduate with a degree in music composition and a minor in Chinese, spent a semester in Nanjing, China, in 2006.

“It was kind of a spur of the moment decision. I had never studied Chinese or been to another continent,” he said. He said that although it seemed intimidating, he had a great support system that helped him along the way.

The experience inspired him to return after graduation, this time as a teacher. He taught English to students of every age with a school called English First.

It was through this school that he made a connection with a nonprofit organization called ELT Edge. The nonprofit’s main objective is to teach English and leadership skills to Chinese college students in order for them to develop closer relationships and foster cultural exchange.

Hine has been in China ever since. Although he is teaching various age groups, one of his favorite classes is through Northeastern University in Quinhuangdao, he said.

“This has probably been the most rewarding age group to teach, because they are so hungry for knowledge. I feel like I’m playing an important role in their education as one of their only direct links to the U.S.A.,” he said. “Encouraging my students through that process and helping them mature into a responsible and productive member of society is something that I find very rewarding.”

Speaking on his experience with the Chinese culture, he said there were some similarities to home.

“I think the biggest similarity between the two countries is that at the end of the day, everyone is just trying to make it. I guess you could say China is experiencing the birth of its own version of the American dream. People want to be successful, financially comfortable and to have the freedom to do what they want, and to buy what they want,” he said.

Hine said one of the greatest lessons he has taken with him is the Chinese people’s dedication to family.

“They will do anything, at any time, and sacrifice anything they have in order to help a friend or a loved one in need. Their loyalty and love for people close to them is something that has left a deep impression on me,” he said.

Some of the things he missed are family, friends and western food. On this short stay at home, he plans to take advantage of being surrounded by all three.

Hine’s future plans include returning to his work in China and becoming fluent in Mandrian Chinese. As for the rest, “I’m still in the process of figuring out what I want to do with my life,” he said.

Hine has kept an online journal while in China and it can be found at http://www.photoblog.com/somewhereinchina.