Job Discussion Forums

dox · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 6

Those who have been in China for several years make me wonder how they manage their affairs back home.

Have you reduced most of your life back home to a P.O. Box or mail drop or have cut the cord completely? On the other end of the spectrum, do you have a house and a bunch of other serious commitments / responsibilities back home? Of course, it could be something in between. Smile

(It just occurred to me that this may be an off-topic issue, so the moderators will have to move it, sorry guys)

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Most of the people I know who have been here several years have cut the cord completely. I have, too. This would also probably depend on whether or not the person is a career ESL teacher (which I am). The very nature of the job demands being able to get up and go.

dox · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 6

That's a good distinction between being a career ESL teacher vs. a non-career ESL teacher. For the purposes of the thread, I should narrow it down to career ESL teachers.

mike w · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 5:43 am Post subject:

Cut the ties can came here 16 years ago. Career teacher (but not specifically ESL). It's surprisingly easy nowadays through internet banking to manage any financial affairs back in the UK.

fishcado · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 21

mike w · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 12:26 am Post subject:

mandu · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 794 Location: china

I only planned on being here one year,this is my 11th year now.the longer I stay the harder it becomes to go back home.I have made a life here.My chinese still sucks,but i get by with the Chinese i do know.

I have a really nice girl friend and if all goes well we plan to marry this year,she really is my soulmate.I have been in the same kindergarten for 7 years.

I suppose i feel comfortable here or its a catch22 situation.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I have lived here a total of 9 years now. I have re-signed on to my current school, will begin my 8th contract there as of July 1st.

I go home every summer and touch base with friends and see my family. Everyone's getting older (I'm one of the youngest not counting all the myriad nieces and nephews) so it's something I want to do. The plan was for next year to be my swan song and return home for good. With the economy still being bad in the US and a toss up on who's going to be the next president (and whether or not he can help turn things around), my plan may not last. I WANT to return home and I WANT to establish a life as I rapidly start approaching the golden years, but what I WANT and what is REALISTIC are two different things I think.

I'm saving for retirement as much as I can but I also have some debt that is getting paid off the longer I stay here (yes, the never-ending student loans!). I have a good online relationship with my credit union (Tracy is the gal that takes care of all my requests) so that's a good thing.

The longer I stay here the more distant my friends become; that's why I bemoan not having access to Facebook so I can better stay in touch with them and still being, in some small way, a part of their lives.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I'm only here because my wife hates my home country. I have a car, furniture, family, friends, career, etc. all waiting for me at home.

Working on getting home this year... time will tell.