Job Discussion Forums

[elenai12]

hi,
while wandering through the forum, i found out that there's plenty of different things people want to have, but they are too far... and i know that a lot of folks are packing now, to move to the esl-land.. i think it would be nice to find out what things you really miss ... just to help them, and they might have some staff to share....
a lot of people mentioned deodorants (imporssible to find), good underwear, good socks, shoes (if you are not XS and shoes size 5 - you are in trouble), linen, spices, books...
I was thinking about the faucet filters - would they help? or nothing can help to improve the water?
WHAT ELSE?
elena

[thrifty]

I regret I didn't take a degree in a subject that I could get a decent job in my own country.

[Jetgirly]

I bought bottled water when I lived in Italy. Filters would have been a hassle. I did stock up on my favorite deodorant, face wash, vitamins and Fruit-to-Go (Sun-Rype, not Dole!) before I left and whenever I returned home. I was also pretty desperate for reading materials (as English books cost an arm and a leg in Torino) so I would hit up the used bookstore in Canada before I left and bring a bag of books home with me. I imagine it was easier for me in Italy than it would have been in say, Korea.

[spiral78]

Elena, where are you going? Availability varies!!

[Justin Trullinger]

Until people know where you're going, these answers aren't going to be very useful- Many of the things you've listed, I can get with ease here. (Deodorant, Underwear, socks, shoes, and linens would never have occured to me as a problems.)

But then, I'd also say that one of the challenges of living abroad is learning to live with what's locally available. After all, if you bring your own deodorant, what will you do when it's gone? Locals sweat, too, so there must be some way to deal with the problem without having to import...

By the way, most of the world doesn't have drinkable tap water. You could filter, boil, and chemically treat it, but most places, you'll be better off buying drinking water. It's cheaper and more convenient.

Best,
Justin

[elenai12]

hi,
sorry, i assumed that it's clear i'm talking about asia (china)....sorry
Are you sure you'll be able to buy bottled water in a small town in China?
I have some doubts, but i may be wrong, because i don't know.....and that info (about socks, deodorants...) i got from the asian forums(mostly korean)..
sorry, but still some advise? thank you
elena

[naturegirl321]

Bring tons of bottles of contact solution. THey-re about 10 times more expensive here.

[Glenski]

If you are going to China, why ask questions in the Korea forum? Go to the China forum if you haven't already.

One issue that I can tell you regarding any Asian destination is clothing. Depending on your own sizes (shoes & socks, shirts and pants), you may have a tough time finding stuff to fit a western body.

Here in Japan, for example, you might find a shirt with the right shoulder and waist measurements, but the sleeves will usually be too short. And, shoes over a certain size will have to be bought in specialty stores. Pants are rather tight in the seat, too, as a result of the Asian body frame demanding less space there.

[eslstudies]

Your employer should arrange for big [15-20 litre] bottles to be delivered to you, and provide the dispenser.
Small bottles can be bought as easily as in your home country, though most will carry a small bottle they fill at home; much cheaper.
Bring extra socks [wooly ones for winter] and shoes: big sizes can be difficult to find. Chinese women favor pads over tampons, so the latter are difficult to find.
Favorite spices [except chilli], herbs, condiments, though in a big city most of these can be found. However, you're not going to a Gulag: most things can be found or approximated, or sent from home.

[Justin Trullinger]

No worries Elena,
I just had no idea where you were talking about. Please disregard everything I said. I know a fair bit about Europe, even more about Latin American, and I like to hope, something about teaching. I have never been to China. Good luck, though.


Best,
Justin

[kparsons]

If you do have big feet or aren't tiny, definitely bring some shoes/clothes along (esp. bras and undies!). I haven't been able to find any decent shoes in Asia that fit me. I'm in China now and I had to buy mens' pants yesterday b/c I am not shaped like the women here (like a boy!).

Also, I'm not sure where you'll be, but books may be hard to come by here....

[chinaamber]

Availability of items really depends on where you are in China. I am in Xi'an and have no problems getting tampons or deodorant. anywhere with a Watsons is sorted for this stuff. I even bought OB's whan I was in Yan'an, (very small town).

I don't know where you got the idea that bottled water might not be avaliable, you can get it even in the smallest places.

I am a UK 12 and am the third from largest size available in most of the high street shops here. Markets are hit and miss but there are some BIG women here too!! Shoes are generally available up to a European size 39. Socks, no problem, bottom half underwear, no problem, bra's up to a c cup, no problem(except they are padded). Here in Xi'an you can get up to a D in certain shops. You can order online easily, Figleaves and Bravissimo do international shipping.

The only things I get shipped from home are things which I can get here but not my favourite brands!!! Part of the reason to come is to try a different life, learning to live without or find alternatives can sometimes be very rewarding.

[nickpellatt]

If found on my short(ish) time in China, the things I missed I could never have brought with me...

a daily newspaper would have been nice....I really missed that on days I didnt have a lesson until 11am, the thought of sitting down with a paper and a cuppa...bliss.

Also.....and I did start to crave these.....sandwiches, again, you cant really bring em.....but altho you can buy bread, I didntn have a sarnie simply as I couldnt buy, or keep, the fillings I would be used to having at home!

As the others say....water isnt a problem anywhere....I bought water in some very remote villages...deodorant I found hard to find though....infact in Wenchang, population 700,000 ( or so Ive read) deodorant was a non starter....or finding an effective one was!

[ilaria]

China Amber: aah, Watson's... I remember going into a branch in Shanghai after six months in a small town, and thinking 'This is what civilisation is all about.'

Clothes: I'm 5' 10 and a UK size 14. I could just about find clothes to fit around the hips, bust and waist, but sleeves and trouser legs tended to be too short.

Bring enough shoes to last a year if you're size 40 or over. But don't bother with socks. Men's socks come in big sizes, suitable for the larger-footed lady who likes black, grey, navy blue and Argyle patterns.

Eslstudies is right, tampons can be hard to find, especially Super and Super Plus. (Xi'an and Yan'an are tourist cities, thus the availability.)

Sunblock isn't widely available.

Deodorant is starting to catch on in China, but be careful, some brands contain skin whiteners. Yep, apparently Chinese women worry about the whiteness of their armpits. The mind boggles.

Reading material: try Project Gutenberg (google it) - out-of-copyright books, free to download. I developed a 19th century novel habit during my time in China.