Job Discussion Forums

[malcoml]

Some recent board members have helped encourage me to come to China but I want more opinions.

Why did you choose to teach in China?
Culture, cheap living, high wage, cheap beer, women, whatever the reason be honest.

Where are you teaching in China and more importantly where would you like to be teaching in China?

[Sinobear]

I was invited here to teach.
It never crossed my mind to come here before (I hate travelling but like to move around). I thought about where I was in life and where I wanted to go. It was a simple choice in the end...go, see, experience, and evaluate (myself). That was almost seven years ago.
China is not fantasyland, nor is it hell. It takes a lot of fortitude, self-reliance and most of all patience to stay here long term.
I've taught in Beijing (not EFL, though), Urumqi (part time EFL, full time other), Huizhou (again, not EFL), Guangzhou (once more, not EFL), and in a very tiny city in Fujian (full time EFL). The best money was made and saved in Beijing and I feel that Beijing is like a second home. Guangzhou has a lot to offer, but the lack of sunshine and plain ignorance of the Cantonese makes staying here difficult (note: people tend to get polarized - North vs. South...it depends on your perception). I found Urumqi to be just like Guangzhou (except for the climate). Huizhou has been virtually wiped from my memory. The best time was spent teaching primary school in the little city in north Fujian...stress-free, clean, fresh air, wonderful people, great food...I could go on.
The caveat here is that it isn't a really good idea to start in a small city. Boredom and isolation quickly set in and it's hard to talk over your feelings when no one else speaks English or understands your point of reference.

Anyhoo, best of luck to you and your decision.
Cheers!

[Roger]

For me, living in China is extending my youth. Life here is full of adventure, unpredictability, change good and bad; friendships and enmities.
While China is fast morphing into yet another highly westernised society - at least externally - there still are pockets of tradition, laid-back locales, unique individuals without mobile phones and the urge to spend every weekend at the local McDonald's.

[Norman Bethune]

I came to China because I needed in my life the daily anarchy that can only be found here. I feel more alive here than back in the west.

Sure, I could have gone to Afghanistan, Iraq, Zambia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Colombia, or countless other countires where day to day living offers new challenges and excitements beyond the banal routines of the established western consumer societies and the emerging copycats.

But I only wanted the anarchy, not the death that goes with it in so many other places.

[jeffinflorida]

I came here as a result of boredom. The USA - Florida- was just the same ol sh*t everyday, nothing new.

Here in China man I am the next biggest thing to Yao Ming. I love it! When i am walking in town people stare at me, some come up and say hello, most of the girls giggle. It is great. I am somebody here. The kids in the univeristy all say hello when they see me (I have 6 classes each with 30 students and I can't remember all their names) and I say hello to them all. They are generally respectful and friendly - but many are shy (usually the girls).

Sure this country has issues but you most keep a positive attitude here. It is not very clean in many areas.In Quanzhou they drive without rules and you are in danger whether you walk, ride a bike, or are in a vehicle but it's life here.

If you make a decent wage you have a nice life here.

I thought about Egypt (been there twice), Jordan (been there once), Morocco, Turkey, Greece, and parts of Africa - as well as other parts of Asia, but China is a good place to start.

Note it is COLD in Northern China and I am somewhat South where the weather is not as harsh.

In case you are wondering they have some Western type stores here as well as Wal-marts and Sam's Clubs (The warehouse division of Wal-Mart) so the food and goods outlook is decent and improving.

It is worth commiting to 6 months and give it a try. I took a 6 month contract and will extend it another year.

[william wallace]

Nothing to say.

[sheeba]

I chose TEFL as I was bored with my mundane life working in an office in London. I chose China because I thought that it would be a good place to start . I was skint before I came here . My wages in London were always blown on alcohol. China was an easy landing place for me with bugger all money ! I had about 400 quid in my pocket when I got here . I hardly touched that . I was paid after 2 weeks of arrival for a month in advance and all accommodation / electricity / water covered . So it was an easy getaway for me . I think I am extremely lucky that I have developed a genuine interest in the language and culture. Without this interest I would not have lasted more than 6 months . Me and 3 other foreigners arrived at the same time . I am the only one left here !

I expected Isolation- I have had my ups and downs with this problem- My only problem here ! The others I think missed their home luxuries/relationships too much . I think that the Canadian guy that was here thought he could relate to the Chinese like he could his friends at home . I don't believe he succeeded. I now believe the Chinese are on a different wave length . I don't believe any of them to be my true friends but they are my friends !(if that makes sense!) This is cool - I did not come here to make true Chinese friends!
Since coming to China I have stopped the booze and have gained a beautiful Italian girlfriend who I am meeting up with next semester! If my job offer had included these 2 benefits I think I would have jumped on the plane !

[bcbingman]

Why China:
hmm.....I don't think I'll ever get tired of the food here. It seems there's always something new to try.

The people. Depending on where in China you are located, in the eyes of the locals you will be anything from a slightly strange foreigner, to a freak show. On bad days it can really piss me off. On good days I love their curiosity.

The teaching is pretty easy/ not too many hours, as well as having an apartment provided for you. My life is much easier here than in the US.

Where in China:
I am in Wuhan. It's smack dab in the middle of central China in the Hubei province. The city is huge (by Nor. Am. standards--8 million people), somewhat limited western facilities (food, stores, etc.); but that's constantly improving.

If I had to choose again where to go.....I would go to Kunming. It's the capital of Yunnan province, southern China. The people there seemed genuinely warm, the weather is gorgeous basically year round, and the air is clean--a commodity in China. Not to mention it's a great spot for traveling. There's lots to do in Yunnan, as well as crossing the border into Vietnam, Laos, or Myanmar for a few weeks.

Try to get a 6 month contract, see if you like it and stay longer if you do. That's my advice
-bcbingman

[klasies]

Hi there

Came here because as a white male it was impossible to keep/get employment in my home country.

That said, I will be staying here for a very long time, possibly forever.

I am in sunny Hainan and will be for a very long time.

Have taught in several other cities, mainly in the northeast. After July I will be starting my 5th year in China.

Come and join us, you will love it. My whole family and I love it here.