Job Discussion Forums

[mrbuzz]

I am struggling with my decision whether or not to come to China and teach. I would appreciate your best piece of advice or information to help someone contemplating such a move. Is there anything that I haven't already read in this forum that I should know?

[daCabbie]

Why do you want to come to China?

Why don't you want to come to China?

It is difficult to give advice if we know nothing about you.

[mrbuzz]

I want to come to China because I have visited a few times and I love it. My life here in Vancouver revolves around Chinese people. I tutor Chinese immigrant children and have more students than I can handle. My decision is whether to start a business catering to Chinese - driving teaching and English teaching- and take advantage of my connections, or start a new life in China and make less money. I am not getting younger, I'm 51, but now is my chance because I am single and have nothing holding me here. I am worried if I stay in China for five or ten years I will lose all my Chinese connections here. I'm also worried about renting out my condo here since I won't be in the country.

[xiaolongbaolaoxi]

If it is a financial decision, it seems like staying in Canada (thinking Vancouver, Canada not Vancouver, Washington) would be a better bet. If I understand correctly, you have a choice between teaching various things in Canada with groups of people you know or going to China and starting over. I think staying in Canada would make more cents/sense. Plus, as health issues may be more likely to arise at your age, being in a country that has much better insurance options than China or America would be a great thing.

A five or ten year commitment is an extraordinarily long commitment, particularly if you are looking at real estate issues in your home country.

I have never started a business, but I would imagine starting two businesses in Canada will be enough of an adventure.

Aloha,

XLB

[Zero]

How are you set for retirement? I'd focus on that.

And in that case, China is probably a bad idea. You will hook up with a young woman, and you won't be able to save. (She will, but you won't.) She might get pregnant. At any rate, she will soon want to go to Canada. So you'll be right back where you started, except a few years older, with a dependent or two, and with fewer connections. She may stick around at that point or not. Depends on what the other options are, how well she likes you, and how much equity there is in the condo. Quite likely she'll wait around for you to die so she can get your real estate.

Oh, by the way, all those charming Chinese people you meet in Vancouver? You'll get quite a different view once you live on their home turf.

I would recommend China only in the case that you are female (I assume you're not, based on your forum handle) or gay. Or so well off that you don't have to worry about these things.

[Zero]

And I'm sure someone will say my last post was trolling. It's not. I've seen the story play out more times than I can count. I am not saying all Chinese women are evil. They are not. But this poster sounds enamored of China, which generally means enamored of Chinese women, and this makes him vulnerable to the worst type.

The other day a Chinese woman my wife knows, who is also married to an American, said she was feeding her (significantly older) husband red meat at every meal in hopes he would have a heart attack and die. Then she would be rid of him and get his assets, which apparently are pretty decent.

And just a few weeks ago, my wife was telling a Chinese woman at the Asian market about an illness my doctor thought I might have, which sounded worse than it was. The woman's eyes lit up and she said, "Oh, that's good. Does he have life insurance? What good luck!"

Turns out I'm fine, thanks for asking.

[dog backwards]

Zero, I agree that some might view your posts as trolling, but I've seen the very same things that you describe-- over and over again. It's sad but true. I probably haven't been here as long as you have.

I have seen far too many guys come here thinking that China's the land of milk and honey (or beer and baiju) that provides a roof over their heads, and decent pay for minimal work and minimal ability.

I think that it's good that you speak to some of these issues.

To the OP: if you've read a LOT of the comments on this board (old ones as well as recent ones), you'll get a good idea of what living and working in China is all about. It's not all fun and games. If you bring a good work ethic with you as well as competence in the field of education AND a level head on your shoulders, you'll have a good experience.

Those who come to China in an attempt to run away from personal problems soon learn that that while they may run, they can't hide for long.

Old habits die hard.

[haller_79]

Zero, you're not trolling, you're describing a very real aspect of ESL in Asia.

[CarlD26]

[mrbuzz]

[Zero]

Yes, I think that aspect would be pretty easy.

[CarlD26]

[chinesearmy]

what do you mean loose your chinese connections?

Vancouver is practically chinese and they are all pretty friendly and open to networking, provided you do your part

[CarlD26]

[time to teach]