Job Discussion Forums

[Malsol]

[diana83709]

I really like what Malsol has said. This is also our second year here. We have made friends and our apartment has become our home. Even our 15 year old daughter is getting into the culture and has made friends.

Despite the fact my purse was stolen our 3rd week here and that my husband was seriously injured while riding his motorbike (NOT his fault), we are still here.

Living in this country has changed me. As long as we are here, I shall just embrace the experience of it - good and bad. It will be something to reflect back on when we do return back to the US for good.

Life is what you make it.

[adamsmith]

It is always nice to be able to agree with other posters, and I find myself once again agreeing with Malsol (even though this is a rare occurence). It takes some adjustment on both the schools part and more importantly on the teachers part to life in China or, in fact, anywhere else you might chose to live outside of your own neck of the woods.

[andrew_gz]

It's my third year at the same school. (I like my job)
And I have adapted.
As has management.
Like Malsol, I have probably changed the most.

I believe these changes have made be a better person, teacher, colleague and employee.
I have never hated this country. (erase that doubt Clark)
Sure, at times I have felt annoyed. (Back home too)

But the fact is I am enthralled.
Not a day goes by that I would like to spend anywhere else. (for now)

[Henry_Cowell]

[cj750]

[InTime]

Being here can give us progress-oriented Westerner Culture-ists
a sense of the deep psycho-history
empowering
the relevance/equanimity-enhancing/corruption-maintaining
effect
of the Chinese truism
"Mei you banfa..."

When said/felt/known
Tao-ingly/deeply
Then there comes a twinkle in the eyes
and...
LIBERATION

[Shan-Shan]

[Steppenwolf]

[vikdk]

[No Moss]

Yeah, I drag out that "pro-con" list fairly often.

Pros:

High job satisfaction (I know, I'm lucky)
Nice apartment
Convenient access to Hong Kong/Macao
Great public transportation
Yuan increasing in value
Cheap living costs relative to earnings
Pretty Chinese women

Cons:

Don't really like cheap Chinese food
Annoying personal habits of the Chinese
Noise level
Filth/pollution
Lack of culture
I'm too lazy to learn the language
Boooorrrring

[Shan-Shan]

China is more adhesive for FTs than Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Foreign friends in those countries tend to leave when they cease to enjoy their existence abroad (so what I've read and been told first hand). Many Western FTs in China, even after years of dissatisfaction and disappointment, tend to remain, praying before their plastic buddhas for that one chance to be a big boy or girl in the ESL scene.

This sticky reality is an excellent example of China's self advertising. "China Brand" is the label of choice for an increasing number of Westerners who want to a.) buy babies b.) learn a foreign language and c.) lead a delusional life.

Always something more, just out of sight. Sadly, it's just more of the same: another foreign supermarket, a prefabricated apartment building, or parking lot. China, master magician.

I've met a couple of foreigners in China consciously aiming to become famous (via radio and acting). The country is many things, one of them being the foreign reject basket. Many view China as their last shot at a meaningful life. Yet while all signals are indicating languishment and loss, more than a few laowai keep on hoping, amidst an ever increasing crowd, for their lucky break at becoming "known".

The world's wishing well.

[radiodaddy]

Wow, when I started this message thread a few days ago, I didn't think I'd get such an enormous response!

Thanks to everyone for throwing in. Again, after reading about all of the (admittedly) depressing threads out there, I'm so glad so many of you took the time to tell me about all of the positives not only in your own lives but in China and FT life in general.

It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know that not only do most of you agree with me on the "make your life happy in your own time and in your own way", but I can see that most of you (if not all of you) are CONTENT in China and that makes life more bearable ... since I'm planning on finding a job for next term and I don't want to lose touch with the people who have positively affected my life in my time here.

Or maybe that warm and fuzzy feeling is the guobaorou .... oooohhhh .... DAMN YOU CHINA!!! You've done it to me all over again!!!

Thanks again to all of you!
-Radiodaddy

[vikdk]

[No Moss]