Job Discussion Forums

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

While reading through the posts on the China forums, it seems like although China is relatively cheap and schools give you pretty much everything, not many people are happy in China. Maybe because of the difference between the East and the West. Some people stay for years, but often teachers only stay for a bit. I've noticed discouraging comments when mentioning raising a family in China, which I realise would be very different than raising one here at home in Peru.
So my question to you in China, are you happy here?

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

There are 40 thousand of our lot teaching in China. There are only a few doing their thing here on Dave's. Where there is a group / community of Westeners having fun here in China I don't think you will find them here on Dave's. I enjoy myself in my city but Dave's is where I talk other subjects from what I do in class etc.

Sonnet · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 235 Location: South of the river

I love the place as much as the first time I arrived, and I'm still happy here.

I agree with Anda; most of the teachers you meet in China aren't quite as negative as the ones who post here frequently; there does seem to be a satisfied, silent majority here.

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

Such a limited question? Am I OVERALL happy in China? The answer would be "no" (and that's what I voted). Am I happy with my job - - generally, yes: it's easy, it pays well, it's flexible, administration seems to like me, and my kids are a good lot. It's not happy, shiny sunshine every day but it's much better than what I've had and what I read other people have experienced.

How about my daily life? That would lean more towards "no" - - rude, shoving, spitting, staring, loud, obnoxious, smelly people surround me everywhere I go. The summer heat and the winter cold are crappy. In the summer, the place smells to high heaven! I find myself bored more often than not because the things I like to do can't be found here.

My friends? I'm ambivilant about this one. I've made some fairly nice Chinese friends, several have really good English, so that's good for me. However, I know that once I FINALLY leave here for good, those friends will quickly fade away like fleeting memories (an occasional email does not a friend make!).

I think more poll options would have been nice, but if I have to weigh good vs. bad when it comes to "liking" China, the scales tip more to the "no" side.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

Maybe setting the questions up as -

Are you so fascinated by China that you're addicted?

Are you so repulsed by China that you can't find anything good in this country?

- would help, since here repulsion and attraction can be such black and white every-day qualities, of the FT's life, that its sometimes so hard to find that easy grey life of non-thinking resignation that should lie somewhere in the middle - which reminds me of that boring grey existence that's so easy to lead back home Laughing

But then again I don't know if you can live a grey life in Peru - so I reckon the OP maybe in for swapping one form of black/white for another!!

caius celestius · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 89

I seem to belong to the three-quarter majority; happiness is an achievement for which you alone have responsibility.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

I am happy with the kind of lifestyle my salary gives me in China.

I am not happy with the way mainland Chinese do things, especially when it comes to dealing with school administration.

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

"China is relatively cheap and schools give you pretty much everything..." - Nature Girl

Having also lived in Latin America, and seeing that many of the ESL job ads there are for "volunteers," I can understand why China might be an attractive option for a mixed-nationality couple.

"I've noticed discouraging comments when mentioning raising a family in China..." - Nature Girl

There are some health concerns. In terms of education, homeschooling might be a good option to consider.

OP, from what I've seen through your participation on this forum, you seem to be equally adept at learning from and contributing to the community. So, if China is for you, I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to adapt. It's been alright for me. Que la via bien!

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

You made the classic mistake that many marketing researchers make by asking for a zero-or-one response. MOD EDIT

blowinlicks · Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Beijing

what a silly question by a seemingly silly person seeking to acquire all her knowledge rather than "living it". Stay in Peru.

Tarheel 13 · Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 44 Location: Outer Banks, NC

blowinlicks...finally, an articulate response in this thread.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

lychee · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 109

Naturegirl I am very happy here. I think I am lucky, in that I have great students to teach, this is so important in how you will feel about being here. My only complaint is the weather, I hate summer, very hot and humid here. I have AC and a fridge so I can cope.

I sort of understand why you are askng a lot of questions and annoying some of the other posters but it really is a bit of an unknown. The thing that works for me is attitude and being in a position where I have enough back up, in the way of finance that I don't have to take any crap.

I would like to help you more but I will never take on that "karma again"

clay4bc · Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 6

Lister · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 264