SHUNYI AND NORTHEAST CHAOYANG - Living Abroad in Beijing - page 485

Of course, gyms aren't to be forgotten. When it's too polluted outside to run, you
will likely be able to train indoors at your compound's clubhouse gym. If it doesn't
have one, just some of the commercial gyms include Human in Motion
( www.humaninmotion.com.cn ) at Cathay View Garden. Alternatively, join a Heyrobics
( www.heyrobics.com ) class. What started as a quirky Swedish aerobics class has now de-
veloped into a diverse range of fun, energy-packed classes, which are held at various spots
in the area.
EDUCATION
When people think of schools in Beijing—for expatriate kids—they think of Shunyi, so
much so that you'd almost believe no international school existed in the inner city.
Shunyi's access to major roads, proximity to the airport, and its relatively undeveloped
land has made it a magnet for well-funded private and international schools to build their
ideal campuses on. Most of the international schools in Shunyi have been constructed in the
last 10 years, with Keystone Academy and the new Harrow campus being two of the most
recent newcomers.
Outside of the standard school facilities, however, there are several other educational
support services. One of these includes the Learning Center ( www.thelearningcenter.cn ) ,
which specializes in tutoring services for everything from kindergarten through to 12. They
can coordinate with your child's school and also help them prepare for exams, such as the
SATs.
Another important service in the neighborhood is Side by Side
( www.sidebysidebeijing.com ) . This foreign-owned and -managed center helps those with
special needs and learning difficulties, from preschoolers through to adults. They offer
learning support, music therapy, behavior support, parenting sessions, family support, and
workshops.
Education doesn't have to be all math and science, however. Mac Time Community Art
Center ( www.mactimeart.com ), situated in Euro Plaza, can help bring out your or your kids'
creative sides. There are kids and adults classes for pottery, film appreciation, calligraphy,
oil painting, and more. In the same vein, if you dream of having your own romantic moment
at a potter's wheel, then JOP (Joy of Pottery, www.joppottery.com ) can set you up with the
skills for this with bilingual pottery classes. In a relaxed countryside building, you can learn
a variety of pottery techniques or simply come for tea. JOP is up in Shuipo village not far
from the north end of Tianbei Lu.