Job Discussion Forums

damn_my_eyes · Joined: 13 Jul 2013 Posts: 225

^ A lot of the students don't actually choose their major, it gets allocated to them, especially those with the low gao kao scores. They get a take it or leave it offer. That came as a surprise to me.
Some of the students in my writing class unburdened all their problems in essays they wrote. Really bright students who for one reason or another had messed up the university entrance exam and been allocated to the grotty university where I used to work. Sad how one exam can have such an impact on a persons future.

It's a bit of a surprise how safe I feel here too, I've never been in any situation where I've felt worried about my safety (apart from crossing the road). I don't go out drinking much so that cuts down the chances of ending up in trouble, but still, feel safer here than in England.

The other foreigners have always been a constant surprise.

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

1 what surprised you most about working in China?

I was surprised with the fervent nationalism-- I expected people to be quietly against the regime. But there was legitimate love of the government.

2 what problem did you expect that wasn't there?

I expected to see wide-spread hunger and poverty.

nashboroguy · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 2:06 pm Post subject: Book response

Ha Ha.... What didn't surprise me when I got to China? From the squat toilets and kids opening dropping their pants to toilet on the sidewalks, to the way Chinese people drive and push in lines. But, the biggest surprise to me was the ubber friendliness of the Chinese people. My first school was in a smaller town. They say that the South in the USA is known for hospitality. I cry BS about that after I have experienced Chinese hospitality.

I think I was also surprised at how damaged ALL of the FT in China are. I guess we have to be damaged, or "special" to pick up our comfortable lives at home and move to a far off land to work and play. But, when you talk with a FT, you soon discover that they really did not leave their home due to a chance to work and play in China. There is always an underlying motivation or cause. And, all the NEGATIVE FT teachers here. If all you do is complain about China, the government, the people, the food, the pollution, the rudeness and other things...there is a solution....GO HOME!!!!!

The biggest problem I have in China is separating my western mentality with a growing Chinese mentality. I have to constantly remind myself that I am a guest in China. I am an unofficial ambassador from my home country. And, I daily say TIC (This is China). I am also an internet news hound. I read so much about how bad China is from western outlets, it can influence how I think about China. But, I remind myself that this is their country. Not mine. I have the option of leaving anytime I want. They have to live here and deal with this mess 24/7. Finally, I have to go back to the FT issue. Not only do have to deal with the different culture and traditions of China. I now have to deal with the different cultures and traditions of FT from outside of my own country. And, I will tell you, that has been one of the hardest things to do. So, I often try to keep my distance from FT. We all have an opinion about things. And, they are often different. I can only agree to disagree so much. You know something, I am well aware of the failing of my country and government. I don't need some uptight FT from another land to think they are better than me. Your countries have some pretty screwed up things too. Ok. I will jump off my soapbox now.

Cubism · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 283 Location: US

Hello and thanks

Nashville, thanks for your soapbox stuff. Very valuable. I thought I was the only person critical enough to notice the public urination/defecation. even on trains. and yet those same parents on trains would give me their food, with great joy!

Great Wall: that really is startling, the devout love of the govt. some chinese teachers said, 'the sts now remind me of Red Guards!'

keep in touch.

wavelength · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:20 pm Post subject:

Lack · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 252

Somehow, yes, although at times looking back I don't know how...

...hopefully the next time will be better.

happyinshangqiu · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 11:41 am Post subject: Re: DID YOU SURVIVE CHINA

IvanaShaanxi · Joined: 18 Jun 2012 Posts: 100

I left China because I was diagnosed with F23 - a temporary psychotic disorder- due to my stay in those underdeveloped places where I was the only foreigner. I'm quite ok now, though. It's worth mentioning that the salary in China is significantly better than in my home country (Serbia- southeastern Europe)so that is the sad reason why I'm thinking about coming to China again.

Mike E · Joined: 06 Oct 2011 Posts: 132

As it doesn't seem to have been mentioned, I'll add that I was nervous before I went as to the extent of pollution I'd be in every day. However, with the exception of an unusual (for me) productive cough that stuck with me through most of the winter, I rarely experienced or thought about pollution while there (in Guangdong Province).

I was impressed by how remarkably warm and kind my young students were, and by what a bunch of losers the other Westerners I met there were.

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

fpshangzhou · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 280

I would say the there is more concern to getting to close to other western foreigners compared to locals, at least in my experience. Personally, I keep a distance from all. I don't mind superficial relationships or run-ins with locals or foreigners. Reduces or eliminates the chances of drama.

Cheers,

Aaron

theoriginalprankster · Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 895

Volver · Joined: 27 Sep 2013 Posts: 181

2 things surprised me more than anything about this place:

The first is what a total joke this country is. The "Chinese miracle" that everyone talks about? Any country would prosper if it invited business to come in and pollute the heck out of it and not worry about worker safety. Solve all problems by paying off the right people. Militarily, we have nothing to worry about from this paper tiger. All this worry about China taking over the world is just a lot of hot air. This whole country is nothing more than a 5,000 year old feudal system with a (thin) veneer of civilization pasted on top.

The 2nd thing is how messed up the entire English industry is. From the really bizzare FTs you encounter to the lack of standards for most classes to the non-existent opportunities for professional development. It is all just smoke and mirrors in the end. This is supposed to be the biggest EFL market in the world and yet pretty much anything goes here. Got a white face? You are now an English expert. How the consumers of English training are fooled by it all is beyond me.

Things like kids pooping everywhere and the disgusting manners of the locals I have just grown used to. It's amazing how impervious one can get to such things.

As for problems I expected but didn't encounter, hmmm, that is a little tougher. I guess I didn't realize how easy it would be to get pretty much anything you want as long as you are willing to pay for it. I thought I couldn't find books and foods, but that didn't turn out to be true.

V

Volver · Joined: 27 Sep 2013 Posts: 181

2 things surprised me more than anything about this place:

The first is what a total joke this country is. The "Chinese miracle" that everyone talks about? Any country would prosper if it invited business to come in and pollute the heck out of it and not worry about worker safety. Solve all problems by paying off the right people. Militarily, we have nothing to worry about from this paper tiger. All this worry about China taking over the world is just a lot of hot air. This whole country is nothing more than a 5,000 year old feudal system with a (thin) veneer of civilization pasted on top.

The 2nd thing is how messed up the entire English industry is. From the really bizzare FTs you encounter to the lack of standards for most classes to the non-existent opportunities for professional development. It is all just smoke and mirrors in the end. This is supposed to be the biggest EFL market in the world and yet pretty much anything goes here. Got a white face? You are now an English expert. How the consumers of English training are fooled by it all is beyond me.

Things like kids pooping everywhere and the disgusting manners of the locals I have just grown used to. It's amazing how impervious one can get to such things.

As for problems I expected but didn't encounter, hmmm, that is a little tougher. I guess I didn't realize how easy it would be to get pretty much anything you want as long as you are willing to pay for it. I thought I couldn't find books and foods, but that didn't turn out to be true.

V

theoriginalprankster · Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 895

I'm surviving quite well. Don't enjoy the pollution.

Don't enjoy that I got my head kicked in trying to STOP a fight. The perps were filthy Kazaks.

Enjoy my job, Chinese coworkers and the fun to be had in SH.