Job Discussion Forums

mgafunnell · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 89

so often, people come to these forums to whine and complain, but not me. i've been in shanghai for 3 years after stints teaching in south korea, poland and canada and i must say that china has been very good to me. i can work as much as i want and make a very nice salary. i live in a nice apartment and met my wife here. i've also made nice friends and have greatly developed my teaching skills. the kids can be a bit naughty sometimes, but once you've been with them long enough, they grow admire you and eventually fall in line.

in canada, where i'm from, i had a decent set-up professionally and personally but i chucked it all on a whim because i got curious about china and i don't regret anything about leaving. i am 36 years old and am experiencing the happiest days i have ever known.

i love it here and i don't intend to leave anytime soon. i'm riding this gravy train to the very last stop.

thank you to my wife. thank you to my employers. thank you to my friends. thank you to my colleagues. thank you china.

HiddenTreasure · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 81

Same as me !!

I find it hilarious even comes here and bitch, moan, groan, mouth-off, slam China, degrade China and the people ... it's disgusting and pathetic.

And yet, they stay here.

Clearly there is a reason they stay under such "horrible" conditions and can't return to their own country.

Me? I love it.

Greg 09 · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 169

I like this thread already. Very Happy

mgafunnell · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 89

there we go! i think folks should try to look on the bright side of life sometimes. it's good for one's disposition.

Guerciotti · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:52 pm Post subject:

xi.gua · Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Posts: 170

2.5 years in small towns and i'm still very happy with what i'm doing and where i'm at. Definitely glad I made the trip over here.

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

I was born to whine, hence the name. Laughing

Seriously, I've been 'doing Asia' here for around 10 years now. China (6), Korea (3) Japan (6 mo.) Taiwan (6 mo.) and clearly I am enjoying China better than the other places. But that's just down to dumb luck in getting a decent job.

That said, nowhere is perfect and there is always room for improvement. I doubt I'd still be here if I couldn't move out of the low salary slump.

Happy to see so many happy.

themanymoonsofjupiter · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 205 Location: The Big Link

there was at least one thread a few years back where people listed all the things they liked about china. i have no idea what the thread was called or i would search for it, but i believe there were something like 200 things on there. it was good to scroll through whenever i got annoyed with something--i would realise there were a lot more things about china that i liked than disliked.

daCabbie · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244

I love it here too... Very Happy

Everyday is like swimming in a pool filled with fresh rose petals. While a Simon and Garfunkel song plays in the background. It's always sunny and warm. Its like being back in my mothers womb. All soft and fuzzy like. Smile

Wow, being positive really does help. Embarassed

Thanks to all the beautiful people here at Dave's Exclamation

We now return you to our originally scheduled program. Wink

Matty_Bang · Joined: 02 Nov 2010 Posts: 5

Would anybody care to explain what people would be complaining about?? I've not read anything too bad about ESL experiences in China!

eclipse12 · Joined: 03 Nov 2010 Posts: 18

People who have bad experiences are more likely to express it to others than those who have positive experiences. That's probably why you see negative things on teaching forums so much.

China is an awesome place but just like anywhere else in the world if you get stuck in a bad job or a bad situation, your entire view will be tainted.

A lot of it really just does come down to a little bit of luck and being at the right place at the right time.

zootown · Joined: 27 Nov 2009 Posts: 310

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

I don't think it is only age, occupation, or outlook but a combination of factors.

Being flexible yet goal oriented, cautiously optimistic while using adult problem solving skills probably prevents most of the bad situations; then one can build up from there.

Cheers to those enjoying China.

Beyond1984 · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 462

"there was at least one thread a few years back where people listed all the things they liked about china. -themanymoonsofjupieter

Now 194, my memory fades in and out, but during the mid-term elections last week I was reminded of Red Lobster's declaration:

"I like that there are no stupid circus-style elections." Rolling Eyes

-Red

I searched and found the link here:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=56813&highlight=stupid+circusstyle+elections

The topic popped up a second time, here:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=68902&highlight=stupid+circusstyle+elections

-HDT

"How does it become a man to behave toward this American government today? I answer that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it."
-Henry David Thoreau, "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience," 1849 Twisted Evil

The link is here:

goosiegrl1 · Joined: 04 Nov 2010 Posts: 1

mgafunnell, your story is pretty inspiring. i'm currently looking for teaching positions in china - preferably in shanghai or beijing. several years ago, i taught in japan and loved it. i'm considering going back, but ideally i'd like to go somewhere i've never been, and China is my first choice in that regard. do you have any suggestions on schools that I should apply to? any guidance you can give would be greatly appreciated! CONGRATULATIONS on the wonderful life you've created, and I hope to hear from you soon!

best,
goosiegrl1