Job Discussion Forums

[anubistaima]

How was your first month away?

I used to read this website several times a day when I was looking for my first ESL position. I remember many posts about people in the same position I was. I am now in Siberia, working with a large school, in a position I enjoy. I was wondering how many others found their first job in these last few months and their views after being in place for about a month. Anybody wants to share? I�ve read so many horrors stories and, since mine is not one of them, I was wondering if other people also have good things to report after being away for about a month.

You can post here or PM me.
Thanks.

[tom selleck]

In China, the first month is always a veritable honeymoon. It's pretty much impossible, at any Chinese school, to decide if the chosen school is alright or not. Even the worst schools usually roll out a lot of hospitality right off the get go, in the form of banquets, where you are expected to drink unhealthy amounts of baijiu (hard, white liquor). I imagine Siberia is pretty much the same, eh?

How's the food over there? The weather still bitter, or starting to smarten up a bit?

I'm in Northwestern China, Xinjiang Uighar autonomous region. We just finished getting a BLAST of Siberian cold air over here, but it has abated a little in the last week.

This is my 3rd year in China, and my second time in Xinjiang, so I'm not entirely a newby, but this country always has a way of reminding you that the mysterious ways of Chinese customs will always leave you feeling a little inexperienced.

[foster]

My first month in Japan, I was awe-struck and I was SHOCKED at how amazing it was. That wore off in about 3 months. Japan was difficult for me, once I spent more time there.

The first month is often a honeymoon period and the shock and the thrill of moving and the culture shock is phenomenal. Jaopan scared me, thrilled me, entranced me and frustrated me as well.

I am not in HK and the initial love is still not gone.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

I was definitely in the honeymoon stage during my first month living and teaching in a foreign country. However, it took me less than a month to realize teaching in private language schools wasn't something I wanted to do for very long. I stayed with the job for 3 months (the amount of time I'd agreed to work for them) and then accepted a different teaching job (same city,) where I've been for nearly 10 years.

[Gordon]

My first month was pretty awful. It was in a small place in Korea and just before Christmas, which didn't help. I remember being sick all the time from all the pollution and kerosene heaters. I had no training worked 6 days/week and split shifts, often an hour on/an hour off from 10-10. Can't believe i did it for 6 months.

Of course the 1st month is fascinating as you compare everyting around you with home. It was my first time in Asia so it was a real eye opener.

[Guy Courchesne]

My first month n Mexico City was a mixed bag. I got Moctezuma's Revenge within the irst 2 days (expected), but met a lot of great people too.

Teaching without knowing Spanish was difficult, but a good learning experience.

I met my then-future wife in my second month here, so the first month saw a lot of bar-hopping, learning to salsa and cumbia, and meeting many lovely ladies.

It took some time to get used to the altitude and hussle of this megacity...

[Girl Scout]

My first month wasn't a picnic. I couldn't deal with the traffic. There are no sidewalks in Hsin-chu, Taiwan, which means you have to walk in the streets. That brings me back to the traffic. There's a big language barrier here, I had a lot of trouble adjusting to that. I hated the roommate I got stuck with. . . I could actualy gone for awhile. I think having a rough start helped me in the long run. I have now been here for three years and have no plans of returning from where I came.

[travelingirl68]

I think for many people the first month is that veritable honeymoon, it is a few months in that brings on the culture shock - for those interested in this phenomena (and if you have not lived abroad before, you definitely should be!) there is a thread in here about it somewhere. Prepare yourself with information about the stages and processes, and just be aware that you will - yes, you WILL face some tough times, take care of your health (mental and emotional) and find healthy, productive outlets for an overflowing of emotions you may not expect to feel while you are in the giddy heights of the honeymoon. I always remembered my Mom's favorite saying: "This too shall pass."

[carnac]

My first month was pretty strange. Getting used to "roundabouts" ( a ghastly invention). Highways which had to be driven for ages before being able to turn back. What appeared to be North being East. First classroom a portable trailer with zero technological teaching aids (save for high-tech whiteboard markers). Helicopters hovering over the classroom making speech incomprehensible. Cannons going off nearby causing the trailer to shake. Paratrooper students with violet belts and berets. (still have a hard time with this: cultural)(but a truly lovely shade of violet) Cashiers at the supermarket with abayya greeting me "Hi! How 'ya doin'?" Students waiting politely for me to leave the room before them, students standing to attention before greeting me and shaking hands. Students with a wife and three official girlfriends. Getting "I love you" messages from female students on my mobile phone. Near-sighted (myopic) students insisting on sitting in the back of the room. The politeness and kindness after working New York City. The respect paid to Westerners. The Indian back-and-forth head wagging.(Still not sure of the contextual meaning). Yes (wag). No(wag).How are you?(wag). The generosity. In the first month, such incredible kindness to someone obviously floundering. The extreme delight with fumbling attempts at local language.
A very interesting first month.