In June 2016 I started a new chapter in my life and one that would change me forever. I spent most of my life moving from hobby to hobby and never staying in one place for too long, I don't know why this is, I guess I get bored easily or just get sidetracked very easily by new opportunities and challenges. I see this as a good thing though as it has taken me all over the world and allowed me to experience the wonders that life has to offer.
So June 3rd, 2016 I arrived in Jinan China, the capital of Shandong province. This is the farthest I have ever been from home and I knew as I flew out of Heathrow that it would probably be the last time I live in England.
China was instantly amazing, the culture shock slaps you in the face as soon as you step off the plane and I was hit by a wave of excitement for what the future might have in store.
Nothing can really prepare you for Chinese life you just have to kind of go with the flow and do your best to figure out how things work. Obviously learning the language will help but there are around 50 different dialects throughout China and each city has a different sound. Lucky for me I had some help from the other foreigners that had been there for a while already and the other Chinese teachers in my school were very helpful and some of the nicest people I have met.
Straight away I was introduced to the school I would be working at and all seemed pretty good and they did their best to help me get set up with an apartment and phone etc. The apartments in China are nothing amazing but I guess it depends on what you want to spend but don't expect up to date plumbing and electrics. The Chinese are a little way behind when it comes to building and engineering in residential areas, they are very much about quantity over quality unless they are building giant skyscrapers and malls. You soon get used to the way things are and you will quickly learn how to maintain your own place as there aren't really any real tradesman just people who seem to know a little bit about everything and will try to fix most things with a hammer. After a few months, all these things become part of normal life and it's no big deal, in fact, it just adds to the anything-goes atmosphere that China seems to have.
People in China are for the most part very nice people and very friendly, most will just be happy to see a foreigner and ask you for pictures or just take them when you're not looking. They have plenty of character and making friends has never been easier. Despite the language barrier you can go to pretty much any bar or Shao Kao spot and get invited to a table to share some drinks with the locals and almost everytime they will refuse to take your money and insist on paying the bill. If you like karaoke you are in the right place as there are karaoke bars everywhere or KTV as it's called here.
China is well known for being cheap and it really is! you can get by on just a few hundred bucks a month if you really have to.
You can buy a weeks grocery shopping for around 20-30 bucks if you shop at the local markets and learn how to shop like the locals. Be warned though China is also known for making fake versions of anything they can even food so do your research online before you go shopping. You can have a good night out for no more than ten bucks if you want. Being a foreigner goes a long way because you will get free entry to most clubs and free drinks just because it looks good if foreigners are partying there. It kind of feels like being a celebrity in China and you will get a lot of attention everywhere you go and pictures will be taken, lots of pictures.
There are so many people trying to make it big in China and the Chinese and foreigners alike are trying to capitalize on anything that will make money so if you're in the market for new business adventures then you just have to get to know as many people as possible and the opportunities will come.
I have personally had the opportunity to travel all over China and Asia and I was even introduced to cryptocurrency in China, I had no idea it even existed when I lived in England. I have met friends for life, made memories I will never forget, experienced psychedelics that have changed the way I think about life and all for the better and I even got cast in a movie! but they are stories for another blog.
If a culture shock is what you are looking for then you're in the right place, it couldn't be any more different. Everything from Crazy death-defying taxi rides to eating things you never knew existed and just the general flow of life. It's not all flowers and rainbows though and you will hit bumps in the road and meet obstacles you can never prepare for but just try to keep cool and overcoming these things will probably turn out to be great stories to tell your friends back home.
China has something different in every city and there are plenty to choose from as the country is HUGE! but the good news is traveling within China is very easy and super cheap. I had many great weekend trips to nearby cities and the other foreigners in my city were always down for a good party or sightseeing trip.
Teaching in China is very rewarding and the pay is very good, you can live like a king or queen on a standard teachers wage. The Chinese kids are pretty great and full of character and they quickly become very attached to their teachers. For the most part, they are well behaved as the public schools focus a lot on discipline, so when they come to private school you can really see that enjoy learning in a good fun environment. At first, it was very scary teaching 10-15 kids but you soon get into the groove and if you're having fun then the kids will too. You also get help from a Chinese teaching assistant who will keep the rogue crazy kids under control because no matter what there will always be one kid that will test your patience.
The private training schools in China are all pretty much the same in China and they only seem to care about money so don't expect much help from the people at the top of the ladder. The teachers, on the other hand, are mostly very good and will help you with anything they can but the management seems to have a very backward way of doing things. I have suggested many different things to help improve the way the school is run but it falls on deaf ears and they seem to ignore problems until it directly affects them or their money. All of this aside if you try to ignore it and just enjoy your job the best you can and get paid a good salary then it's a great way to start working in China.
The Chinese love their parks, shrines and temples and you never have to walk far to see some nice traditional architecture or a peaceful park to just relax and put your feet up. On the other hand, if you like big lit up city centers, giant malls or outdoor markets then they have plenty of them too and your money can go a long way. You can bargain for just about anything and do not be afraid to haggle for a good price.
The food in China is great and again you get a lot for your money, the selection of different styles from all over the world are very much available in most cities and you also have the option for the fast food favorites like Mc Donalds or KFC, in the bigger cities you can also find places like Calimex, Wendy's, and other big chain restaurants. I personally enjoy a good Shao Kao party which is BBQ food on sticks and everyone sits on small stools outside around a big table, it's a lot of fun and the atmosphere is great.
Meeting new friends inChina is easy especially foreigners as you all have something in common, you all left your normal lives behind and you all went in search of new exciting adventures. Some people do come to China to make money and pay off debts and kept themselves to themselves but I would advise you to get amongst the people who are looking for adventure and just go with the flow.
China is an amazing place and a place I now consider home, You will meet people that will take you on journeys to places you would never have imagined and you will fall in love with the culture, the people and easy going atmosphere.
I hope you get to experience all the amazing things China has to offer and you too can tell your story of the far east someday.
Thanks for reading I hope you enjoyed this blog and if you would like to read more about my travels then please give me a follow and check out the links below.