[marielle]

Hi. My first time in a forum. Experienced Canadian teacher working in China. Amazing country. Rate of modernization here is unbelievable. Upsides and downsides. Great food. Pollution is choking in the big cities. People, people, people everywhere. College students great to work with. Open, respectful and responsive. Highly recommend the China experience to those who can manage it.

[Eric]

Welcome marielle!

I have so many questions about china that i want to ask. I don't have much time right now but i will ask soon.

One question for now, what city are you in?

Bye,
Eric

[marielle]

Hi Eric,
I am in Nanjing. Don't recommend it to live in because of the heavy pollution, but it's a worth a visit. Send me your questions when you have time. Marielle

[little sage]

Hello Marielle,

Welcome to the site.

I'm very curious about what it's like to teach in China. I'm taking time off teaching to study Korean at a Korean university right now. There are many Chinese students studying with me, and I was stunned today to find out THEY DIDN'T THINK KOREA WAS CROWDED! I knew China had people but I'd assumed the size of the country sort of spread them out. I find Korea overwhelming and I can't handle more than one day in Seoul, I'm really curious what "people everywhere" feels like in China. Have you spent much time in the countryside? Is it it roomier there?

Koreans are getting less surprised about seeing foreigners but sometimes people still point and stare, especially kids, who call everyone "American". What about in China? Are people used to seeing foreigners there, or do you get singled out and pointed at a lot?

Just wondering.

Karen

[marielle]

[COLOR=Navy]Hi Karen in Korea,

I am now in a very crowded city of 6.4 million and although it's hard to believe so many people can be fit into an area smaller than many NA cities, it is very clear when you go out that there are people, people everywhere. If you are claustrophobic at all, you wouldn't want to go on any buses. Pickpockets are also out in full force on buses -- I haven't had any problems YET because I am very careful to keep my bags in front of me and my pockets empty. I expect the Chinese imagined Korea to be less crowded because they have little information about other countries.

I was previously in a smaller city of 1.5 million in Guangxi province. Much nicer experience. People more friendly, environment not so choking, less expensive, and a bus ride would take you into a clean countryside. Most of the developed cities are becoming too much like any big city in the world -- at least for my liking -- and I do not enjoy the mentality that goes with it.

There are a lot of foreigners here so I am not stared at quite so much as in Guangxi, where foreigners were few. However, some foreigners do not care how they behave in China and I am definitely uncomfortable being connected with them. As with anything, a few bad apples spoil the bin. I enjoyed going out and about in the smaller city but the pollution here is so bad that if I am out for a whole day, I suffer from it. Fatigue, sneezing -- general malaise -- and I am not the only foreigner to have this reaction (some of my students also have allergic problems). Nanjing is one of the "three furnaces" in China and is unbearably hot in the summer months. Last year I went out only in the mornings and evenings after enduring heat exhaustion more than once. Even with an umbrella and a hat!! You just lose so much salt from all the perspiring, and the mineral drinks can only do so much. On the other hand, the winter was unexpectedly cold -- and with improper insulation and heating in our apartments, it was not pleasant.

If you want to come to China, I recommend the smaller cities. I am hoping to return to one at the end of this term. You will be paid less but you will have a better Old China experience and will meet more people. The students are great -- eager and willing to learn. Also very respectful towards their teachers. But, you have to be careful about the employer you sign up with. You need to spend many hours doing your homework and even then, you take a chance. I am lucky in some ways with my current company but I would NEVER recommend them to anyone else. I am taking my time before I sign up with someone else.

I have a friend who taught for five years in Korea and loved it! One big difference between it and China is that Korea is a developed country. Here you are in a communist country where rules are different -- but it is a great adventure overall. As long as you don't count on it for a long time.

Hope this helps.

Marielle[/color]

[little sage]

Quote marielle

I expect the Chinese imagined Korea to be less crowded because they have little information about other countries.

Hi Marielle,

Thanks for the long letter. First I should explain one misunderstanding. (See above quote) What I meant was that the Chinese people I met who are living here in Daejeon, Korea now didn't feel like Daejeon was crowded, meaning China was way more crowded than Daejeon. But this place is way crowded enough for me. Daejeon is also about 1.5 million people. I would never dare go to a larger place. My hometown in Canada is only 8,000 and even that is a lot for my taste sometimes

One thing you mentioned that struck a chord is about the "bad apples". I wonder what makes people act that way in foreign countries, because I've met the same type here. Maybe it's stress? But it's strange to me that people with such negative attitudes about Asia, or maybe any country outside of their own, would choose to live abroad in the first place.

Also it surprises me when people don't do their homework before they start with a school, China or anywhere. My cousin and her boyfriend flew to China, were weirded out by their school and visa situation, and flew back home within 4-5 days. Ouch.

So it's really nice to hear about personal experiences that have gone well. I think before I ever choose another country to teach in, I would have to visit there for a few weeks, first. Plus, I'm not sure if my puppy (see picture, left!) would want to relocate and learn a new language.

Thanks for all the info, I love hearing what it's like elsewhere.

Karen

[marielle]

Hi Karen,

I know what you mean about feeling overwhelmed by all the people. We Canadians are used to having our space -- and peace and quiet. I returned to Vancouver in March to visit family and it seemed so small. Even though it is bigger in area than Nanjing, the "rush hour" there was pretty simple in comparision to Nanjing, where taxis sometimes drive on the wrong side of the street to get past the long trails of traffic. It seemed really boring in Canada, in truth, with all the houses clean and no visible sign of garbage. Everything seemed so slow. I must admit that I feel "freer" in China than I did in Canada because there aren't so many rules here about insignficant things. Like jay-walking when there is absolutely no traffic coming from any direction! I think you know what I mean. But, it is all an adventure.

I think you are wise to check out a place as a tourist first before you sign up with anyone. I will be doing that next. There are teaching jobs everywhere.

Marielle

[little sage]

Quote marielle

I must admit that I feel "freer" in China than I did in Canada because there aren't so many rules here about insignficant things. Like jay-walking when there is absolutely no traffic coming from any direction!

Yes, I know exactly what you mean! Once, when I was back in my hometown I went to the bank. It was completely empty, I was the only customer. The bank teller said "I can help you if you stand over here". She gestured to where the sign said "Wait Here", about 1.5 feet from where I was standing. It was absurd!

Now that it's been 2 years since I've been home, going back to Canada will be my adventure

[Eric]

Quote marielle

College students great to work with. Open, respectful and responsive. Highly recommend the China experience to those who can manage it.

Hi marielle,

So are you teaching university students? If so, how big are your classes? And what techniques are you using to manage/activate them? This year is my first year at a college and most of my classes are good but there are a few that i don't look forward to (like my classes today ).

Thanks
Eric

[ftharbaugh]

China is very different from the US where I am from. This is my second year at a college located just north of Harbin teaching oral English. The crowded conditions and traffic is extreme. Just crossing a street can be a challenge. I do enjoy the students as you do and is the reason why I decided to come back another year. The school leaders and Chinese teachers are also very friendly and have made many Chinese friends. I am retired from a job in America, age 56 and would recommend the "China Experience".

[Eric]

We've been wanting to take a trip to Harbin for some time, mostly in the winter to see the ice sculptures. How's the surrounding area of harbin, scenic or plain?

[marielle]

I am not in Harbin. Just moved to Fujian province and am going through the difficulties of settling in. AARGGHHH! More later. Someone else is in Harbin -- someone who just added to the thread. Sorry I don't have details but you can find him if you search a bit. Good luck.