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bharrell
Joined: 25 Oct 2008
Posts: 102
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 Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 3:06 pm Post subject: Web site makes China sounds horrible! |
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Being an advenureous sort, I have been considering moving to China to teach. I have sufficient qualifications, and some experience, so I will get a job, probably a fairly good one.
I've been reading a lot about China and found this well written and informative web site. It is:
http://middlekingdomlife.com/guide/index.htm[url]
It lists myriads of problems, from poorly maintained apartments to shabby treatment by schools, etc.
Is this accurate? Why would anyone put up with such a place? There must be an upside to living there. |
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inchinanow
Joined: 03 Feb 2008
Posts: 102
Location: China
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| Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject: re |
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China can be a "mixed bag." On any single day you can experience a wide range of emotions. But I think for most people, China never ceases to fascinate, amaze and sometimes confound.
My experience in Shenyang was often uncomfortable, but I don't regret it for a single second. I am back in the USA now, but I miss China very much. In fact, I want to return soon. For me China was an amazing journey that I will never forget. But people can have their own individual China experience, which could be either good or bad, depending on a variety of factors.
Just do your homework and get with a decent school. That is the first step towards success.
Brad |
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Tsuris
Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 69
Location: Wasting My Life Away in China
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| Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: Web site makes China sounds horrible! |
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| bharrell wrote: |
It lists myriads of problems, from poorly maintained apartments to shabby treatment by schools, etc.
Is this accurate? Why would anyone put up with such a place? There must be an upside to living there. |
Perhaps one "problem" with that guide is that it almost contains too much information. It's not really a guide but an e-book. Depending on which page you catch, you could get a very negative view of teaching English in China, but like inchinanow wrote, it's really a mixed bag and I think the authors do a good job of explaining that if you read through the entire thing (which would take a few readings).
For example, when discussing what the general experience is like for unqualified teachers, they do summarise with a balanced picture I think (from the chapter on Teaching English in China):
| Middle Kingdom Life wrote: |
| If you can move to China with your eyes wide-open, and with full understanding and acceptance of the realities you will face as an unqualified oral English teacher, you can adjust over time to the myriad of challenges you will be confronted with. You will need to remain extremely flexible, grow a thick skin, suppress your anger, and keep an open mind at all times. If your response to frustration proves to be one characterized by righteous indignation underscored by Eurocentric moral, legal, religious, or ethical superiority�with an inclination towards correcting perceived �wrongs� that, in many instances, have been culturally ingrained over a period of several millennia�you can count on being absolutely and thoroughly miserable during your stay in China. Conversely, a positive, open-minded, and alacritous attitude, as well as maintaining a clear and resolute understanding of your purpose for being in China, will make all the difference in increasing the probability that you will ultimately find your way here. In fact many foreigners who came to China as unqualified teachers do ultimately manage to carve out for themselves lives that are considerably better than what they had left behind, which is why they stay year after year. |
You do have to be careful about investigating each school very carefully, you can't take anything at face value and that guide provides two different checklists you can refer to for doing that. Some foreigners do very well here, others not so well, which is true of any country and any job. China really is what you make of it, if you know what to look out for.
I've been here for over 8 years because my life is very good in China. I can also give you the names of 5 people this past year who couldn't wait to leave once their contracts were up. Three schools gave me apartments to live in that were crap and this last one that I've been working at for years set me up in an apartment that is nicer than what I was living in back home. It depends on a lot of things, the school, your qualifications, experience, and "China smarts" (which comes with experience). There is no way to generalise and say "This is how it is for everyone". |
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Lhenderson
Joined: 15 Dec 2008
Posts: 135
Location: Shanghai JuLu Road
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| Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject: Re: Web site makes China sounds horrible! |
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| bharrell wrote: |
It lists myriads of problems, from poorly maintained apartments to shabby treatment by schools, etc.
Is this accurate? Why would anyone put up with such a place? There must be an upside to living there. |
Yeah, it's pretty accurate.
The environment is horribly polluted. Traffic is always jammed. Food is oily. Western food expensive. My school is a joke run by cretins. My students are rich dolts who are not allowed to fail. My colleagues are fossils who have been in China too long and suffer from Stockholm sydrome.
Then again, my apartment is pricey but looks good enough to impress and my social life would make a dirty old man smile and there's a great night scene. Its enough to keep me here smiling in the mornings while downing Tylenol nursing my headache while ducking traffic and going through the motions. |
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inchinanow
Joined: 03 Feb 2008
Posts: 102
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:24 am Post subject: re |
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One of the most amazing things about China is the people. The people are what make the experience so rewarding. I am 44 years old, and my girlfriend was 24 years old and very beautiful. She was the nicest person I have ever met in my life. I loved her dearly. The time we spent together was like a dream. But because of the age difference and other factors, the long -term relationship just wasn't going to work. She wanted to get married, have a baby and live in China forever. I just couldn't commit to that. So in a sense, I felt like I was ruining her life, blocking her from finding a more suitable mate. So I left China and returned to the USA. My Grandmother was dying at that time, which hastened my return. We chatted on the webcam for 3 months. I had to watch her cry for 3 months. But finally she has moved on with her life and we don't communicate any longer. It was a heart-breaking experience for me.
I tell you this, because it was part of my China experience. I met someone that I fell in love with. But the relationship was impractical and had to end. Still, I have no regrets and I will cherish her memory in my heart forever. The few minor inconveniences I had to endure were worth the good things that I experienced while in China.
After coming back to the USA, I now realize that I could never meet someone like that here. So it's a bit depressing being back. Actually, I am quite lonely now. |
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Mister Al
Joined: 28 Jun 2004
Posts: 840
Location: In there
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:06 am Post subject: |
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China: ups and downs, swings and roundabouts, love it one minute and it's driving you mad the next. I've been here seven years more or less and will likely go back to UK mid-2010 and I'm not looking forward to it much. Life here is what you make of it and I do love it here, generally speaking.
Do your homework on the job front and which area you will be living in but you still need to keep your fingers crossed that it won't turn out to be a bit of a nightmare.
A positive attitude towards the great adventure in the Middle Kingdom goes a long way.
Good luck.  |
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roadwalker
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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I definitely agree that being flexible in your attitude is the most important. This is China, things are run by the Chinese for (hopefully) the benefit of Chinese students. Most of the time, we are asked to teach English, especially oral English. They don't usually ask us to fix all of the problems we perceive that the Chinese schools have. Some things are wonderful, and some things are exceedingly frustrating.
I disagree that those who have been here a while suffer the 'Stockholm syndrome.' More like, they have learned to adjust or just find the life for an English teacher to be easy work for a decent living standard. You won't be forced to be here against your will, but you may be lulled into a kind of mental atrophy by the lack of challenge involved in the job you are expected to undertake. You need to bring your own challenges or hobbies or whatever. |
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bharrell
Joined: 25 Oct 2008
Posts: 102
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Excellent comments. You guys are great. The general theme is that despite the "challenges", it's worth it. Any particular places you would avoid or recommend? For example, I couldn't advise anyone to live in US cities like Detroit or New Orleans. I think they are both armpits. But Pheonix and San Diego... Nice. Thanks again for the input. |
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Tsuris
Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 69
Location: Wasting My Life Away in China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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| bharrell wrote: |
| Any particular places you would avoid or recommend? For example, I couldn't advise anyone to live in US cities like Detroit or New Orleans. I think they are both armpits. |
That's kind of like asking, "Is 5,000 RMB enough to live on comfortably"? You'll get 139 different responses and they all happen to be correct, depending on the individual, how they were accustomed to living back home and what their needs are now.
One man's "armpit" is another's "cultural haven". For every city that I might tell you to avoid, you'll find two other foreign teachers who will tell you about all the rich history and culture they enjoy in that particular place.
Your choice in location should be based on climate and need for Western creature comforts and other amenities. If you hate the frigid cold, then the north and northwest are out. If you need to buy Blue Cheese and Gouda in order to feel content, then all third-tier and most second-tier cities are out.
Some foreign teachers would never consider living outside of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Others hate city life and prefer living in suburban and even rural locations. Those who are teaching in China primarily as a way of studying Chinese feel the need to live and work in Beijing or the northeast where Standard Putonghua is spoken.
The only real question here is what are your needs and preferences? What type of experience are you looking for and what's most important to you? |
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JamesD
Joined: 17 Mar 2003
Posts: 934
Location: "As far as I'm concerned bacon comes from a magical happy place."
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 1:46 am Post subject: |
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| Is that actually Carter Nash???????????????? |
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KaiXi333
Joined: 03 Dec 2008
Posts: 30
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:40 am Post subject: Re: re |
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| inchinanow wrote: |
After coming back to the USA, I now realize that I could never meet someone like that here. So it's a bit depressing being back. Actually, I am quite lonely now. |
Truer words have never been spoken. Compared to Chinese women, American "women" seem outright mentally ill. |
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vikuk
Joined: 23 May 2007
Posts: 1842
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:46 am Post subject: |
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Truer words have never been spoken. Compared to Chinese women, American "women" seem outright mentally ill. |
don't worry - a few Chinese women will also show signs of mental illness when you decide you don't want to spend money in their direction - or god forbid it - dump 'em  |
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Jati
Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Posts: 155
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| Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:03 am Post subject: Re: re |
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| inchinanow wrote: |
I tell you this, because it was part of my China experience. I met someone that I fell in love with. But the relationship was impractical and had to end. Still, I have no regrets and I will cherish her memory in my heart forever. The few minor inconveniences I had to endure were worth the good things that I experienced while in China.
After coming back to the USA, I now realize that I could never meet someone like that here. So it's a bit depressing being back. Actually, I am quite lonely now. |
Wow. Sad, but noble, story.
Have you considered another location, say, Malaysia, as a half-way house between China and the USA? I spent a year in China (89-90 school year) and made two visits back for a few weeks (1995, 1999). I don't think that I could live there long-term or even begin to think about retirement in a place like that.
Malaysia, on the other hand, has been a nice place for me since 1996, and I can definitely see myself retiring here. There are some very nice, intelligent, beautiful, Chinese and Indian women who are interested in marrying a man from outside their culture. The education level, especially English, is higher than in China, but which makes communication easier. Still, there is work for TESL and TEFL qualified people who also hold university degrees. |
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bradley
Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 235
Location: China
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| Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 10:46 am Post subject: |
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| If you do your homework, I'm sure you will have a great experience in China |
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KidfromBrooklyn
Joined: 15 Aug 2006
Posts: 138
Location: Behind the Bamboo Firewall
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| Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:08 am Post subject: Middle Kingdom Life |
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I have 10+ years in China.
This is the most truthful and informative web site I have ever read. Truly a must read for anyone considering a time in China.
Someone has finally had the gumtion to stand up and speak the facts on all of the topics that concern us. As foreign teachers.
Well done. Hooaaahhhh. |
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