Job Discussion Forums

[Smitman]

Hey everyone,
I just wanted to say thanks a bunch for all the information and help everyone has given me in my hunt for a job in China. I've been teaching here in Guangzhou for about a week now, and have found almost exactly as I expected. Although my mood was slightly ruined just now when reading troll posts (KidfromBrooklyn comes to mind), I still wanted to throw out my heart-felt appreciation for all of the more helpful posters.

That being said, since my mood WAS slightly bent by the "Bachelor's Degree or Higher" flame post earlier, I wanted to comment on quite a few discoveries that I have found here. I have travelled to a few countries before, and, being born in America, I can truly say that some people are simply not cut out to live and teach here. I've met about fifteen foreign teachers in the short time that I've been here and have learned quite a bit, and I generally agree with most of the veterans here that attitude is simply everything.

Some people come here to experience the culture, which is a great idea since typical weeks only have 13.3 hours of teaching or so. Some people come because they can never be loved as much in their home country. Some people come because they want to change the world. Some people come for every other reason, and that's really all there is to it. Although many people will tell you it is wise to lie about your reason for coming to China (and they do as well), the fact is that there are many different reasons for coming to teach here for less pay than they feel they may "deserve." Why do they still come? My answer is, who cares!?!?!? It doesn't mean that people should avoid coming here just because the pay is much less.

There have been a plethora of surprises that I was not quite expecting, such as a complete lack of curriculum, or a school full of invincible rich peoples' children, but I've dealt with it and will continue to deal with it--I'm here for a reason, and that reason doesn't include running away from all the troubles I would ever need to deal with. I've learned quite a bit from my short time here, talking a great deal with the locals and the teachers, and perhaps when I become more experienced I can return the favor. But for now, I just wanted to say thanks to all the great forum posters out there--and a nice, big "man shut up already" to all the self-righteous posters out there who think that their experience in China is the only one in existence. Warning people is one thing--extending your crappy experience to every teaching experience in China is another, albeit ignorant, thing. And for goodness sake, if you can't even spell or use correct grammar when saying "they're" instead of "their" then maybe the posts aren't even worthy of reading.

[phis]

Good post Smitman. I agree wholeheartedly.

[prof]

It's called the "Honeymoon" stage.

[NathanRahl]

I have to agree with Prof, sorry.

[tw]

You might want to read this from www.voyage.gc.ca/main/living/culture_shock-en.asp

[clark.w.griswald]

[China.Pete]

Only yesterday, it seems, you were dispairing of ever finding a job. Now, you've got one. It seems that China agrees with you so far, as you seem to have gained a good perspective on things for this stage in your experience. But please read TW's quote carefully, as I'm sure you will go through other stages as well. Otherwise, given the rapidity with which you landed a job and got yourself to China, I fear we might be reading a rant by YOU, oh let's say, next week!

[Steppenwolf]

Few people remain permanently optimistic but a postiive worldview is a huge mental spring and moral boost that no professional cynic can wipe away with his biased proclamations that the Chinese employers are all greedy slave drivers and bloodsuckers. You will find such employers quite especially in western countries too.

I am sure you will eventually get a somewhat cracked vision here in China but you can survive here quite well and an open mind will carry you much further than it would in a western country.

Those negativists and nihilists that trot out their class war rhetoric are only green with envy of those who don't feel cheated for a few fen fewer.
The degree of liberty we enjoy is quite remarkable, and the standard of living we enjoy is decent enough. The fewer complaints you actively seek to make, the better for your mental wellbeing! See those cranky, prematurely ageing bean counters!

[WordUp]

I totally agree with you.
But you should wait three weeks to post until after you get past the culture shock that is sure to follow..

Sounds like you have the right attitude, keep rolling with that and you will be fine.

Cheers!

[Tessio]

Positive Thinking is the key.

"The sun will come up tomorrow. Bet your lucky bottom dollar that the sun will come up tomorrow! Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love you tomorrow, you're only a day away!" - "Annie"

I'll do it tomorrow.

God Bless the late Norman Vincent Peale.

[vikdk]

[China.Pete]

"Those negativists and nihilists that trot out their class war rhetoric are only green with envy of those who don't feel cheated for a few fen fewer." --Stephen Roger Wolf

It is so ironic when a prol feels the need to vociferously defend the interests of his betters, and supposes that OTHERS are "green with envy."

OP, not having received any signs of appreciation from Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, et. al. recently, Roger is probably hoping YOU could give him some ego-boos.

Example: That's just the best Gorgeous W Shrub impersonation I've heard in a really long time, Roger!

Barring that, he will just have to be content with whatever attention he manages to draw on this board. You're welcome, Roger.

[NathanRahl]

Hmm, I think to assume that because someone vents here that they do not like china is making a rush to judgement.

It has been my experience that many posters, besides the ones who just want some info, come here simply to vent, and there is nothing wrong with that.

[China.Pete]

"I think to assume that because someone vents here that they do not like China is making a rush to judgement." --Nathan Rahl

Agreed. And, getting back to the stages of culture schock analogy, different people are at different stages of their experience in China. The fact that some of us may have become a bit jaded doesn't negate the value of the information offered along with the attitude. Just as I don't think it's fair to slam those of us who are still in our "honeymoon" or "adjustment" stages.

[Steppenwolf]