Job Discussion Forums

Tigerstyleone · Joined: 26 Mar 2010 Posts: 181

Did you guys visit China before moving there? Or did you rely on friends or internet research?

thanks,

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

I studied Japanese in college, so I was planning on going to Japan. I studied 3 weeks in England and decided that it was too short of a time to visit a foreign country. I was set to just go to Japan and put in a full year (either as a student or after graduation working). After a few attempts, I compared the costs. It cost a lot less to finish my credits in China than in Japan. So, I did that, and then worked in Japan.

I thought I could experience Asia, decide if Japan was really what I wanted, and then go to Japan. I didn't like Beijing in 2002. Maybe it was too new of an experience for me. However, I went to Korea also and enjoyed it. So last year I decided to give China another try. China is a huge country, and unlike Korea and much of Japan, you really need to find your place.

Some areas in China are good and some won't be a match. You might not adjust to the language either. So, I think learning Chinese is more important than Japanese or Korean. I didn't know much about Korea, but I learned while I was there. In China everybody has their own way of doing things, and there is no consistency. It's not necessarily bad, but you need to be ready for it.

If you have never visited Asia, I suggest you come on a tourist visa and visit different areas. See where you fit.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I came initially with a one-year working visa and armed with enough money to go back home if things got out of place. I came with faith that my school would treat me well, and I was very lucky they (for the most part) kept their word.

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

Same as whiner

tianfuoe · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 36

I visited China six times before moving here. I went to different cites each visit. Each visit was between two weeks and one month in duration.

Visiting China, regardless of the length of the visit, is much different than living here. It takes living here to really experience the day-to-day issues that you will face as a resident.

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

Yes, and thought it was awful (Guangzhou, Guilin, Nanning).

Came back again for a little longer Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Zhongdian, Panzhihua, Chengdu, Leshan, Chongqing, Guiyang, Liuzhou, Guilin, Guangzhou the got offered a 17K a month gig in Suzhou and never looked back. From there moved to Shanghai saved up a good old wedge after 2 years and left. That's it for me.

Idrinkwaytoomuchcoffee · Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Posts: 19

I came here on holiday a couple of years before coming back to work. Being a tourist and then living and working here are two totally different experiences.
I think that unless you get some good impartial advice from friends etc then it really is hit and miss if you end up at a good school.