Job Discussion Forums

tin man · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 137

Well, I have read much of the negative stuff. How about a happy report?

Are you happy? What do you do in your spare time? Teaching at a language school or uni?

CJD · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 116

you've been reading a lot of negative stuff because this forum is full of people who hate china.

Gilka · Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 54

I lived in China for two years, and I'm heading back. I was happy there. I'm happy now, in the US. I'm sure I'll still be happy when I arrive in China in September.

For people who are miserable in China, ask them how they enjoyed living back home. I'm sure everyone was always against them and trying to ruin their lives there, too Laughing

hot_water_hillbilly · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 97

I agree with CJD

This forum is overrun with people who clearly hate China. They have no problem breaking the law, bitch and moan about everything they come across, express clear racism, and more. Too self-important in many cases. Some people describe how much trouble they have, then complain beyond any normal level of acceptance, and yet stay here - probably for some secret reason they can't go back home.

There are quite a few people who leave China finally but yet still come back to the forum to moan and groan.

Many of us love things around here. I've been in China 6 years and in the same city for 5 years now. I've had no issues with my jobs because I took the time to choose them correctly.

I have my issues with China. I have my issues with America as my point of origin as well.

Life is not as horrible as too many here make it seem.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

Some people like it. Chinabounder, for one.

randyj · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 11:35 pm Post subject:

One of my professors did his doctoral thesis on a study of foreign English teachers in China. His approach was to find indicators or predictors of happiness. He used about ten different criteria, like education, language ability, age, family, etc. I don't remember all of them. It turned out that the largest correlation was represented by "expectations". If a teacher had high expectations going in, then they were more likely to be unhappy. If expectations were low, they more likely experienced "happiness".

kukiv · Joined: 13 Dec 2009 Posts: 328

I have a lot to love in China, my wife is number one - and on a materialistic front I own a bunch of stuff like my apartment and 3 vehicles that we use in various busnisses.
My time is mostly spent in the great outdoors of remote Western China - we hike and photograph and enjoy driving about in our 4x4. We like life outside the big city - living in a village - love cooking and also collect antiques.

There's also a a lot of stuff to hate - restraints on freedom, the way people treat each other, environmental destruction and the growing social divides!!!! My time, when employed as an FT, also taught me a thing or two about life in this country - not always an easy road!!!!!

But when reading all that negative stuff in these threads, don't just think hate - think warning - after all most caring people want to warn other folk, that further down the road, without using a good dose of caution, there's always a chance of falling into a deep and difficult hole!!!!!!

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

kukiv · Joined: 13 Dec 2009 Posts: 328

The subject of expectations is interesting - it's also interesting to see how the FT could build a happy life around those expectations and how they change during their China stays.

Its seems many - especially middle age men - come here with with expectations that are not so high regarding the job - but are lured into the FT game by romantic and social hopes.

For these guys, if they can stick the employer, stays of a year or two probably won't disappoint - since, in China, just being an FT makes you a point of interest - and automatically makes for a life far removed from the boredom of being a nothing back home.

However after that initial 'honeymoon' - with the FT job lacking career advancement and the low wages really starting to feel low. this life-style also starts to have its constraints and limitations - and the normal expectations, that usually include concepts of future life-style security - the foundation of long-term life in China - are far more difficult to achieve.
And after those years in China, if you want to go back home and start again or indeed are forced to return through health or other matters - well thoughts on this subject can be a major source of headache and even unhappiness - far easier to come out here than ever go back Exclamation

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

I'm very happy here although it does drive you a wee bit nuts from time to time. But not for long.
I had no clear expectations when I first arrived and, with a positive attitude, I simply hoped that things would work out for me. Things have worked out just fine.

kukiv · Joined: 13 Dec 2009 Posts: 328

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

smutbagdisco · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 28

I think people just need to have a better understanding of how life operates here before they buy a oneway ticket with only change left in their pockets.

I see too many teachers come here running from problems back home.

Too many teachers with unrealistic expectations or just plain ignorance of what they signed up for.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

Some people can't make it back home, but can make it in China. They tend to like China.

Some can't make it back home or in China. They tend not to like China.

Some people can make it back home. They'll never truly be happy in China, because they'll always kind of know they should be back home making it.

If you succeed, but it's in a foreign country and none of your family or friends see you do it, then did you really succeed?

LateStarter · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 4:20 am Post subject: Is anybody happy in China

I think I've found the secret of staying relatively content in China - go home every six months and reconnect with family and friends, eat familiar food, sleep in your own bed!!. You may say that it's a waste of money, and it's only for a short time (one or two weeks) but it has helped me stay focussed on what I want to achieve here. Once I return to China, I can remain positive and upbeat until the next holiday comes up.