Falling in love with China: Holly’s TEFL story
TEFL Org graduate Holly, tells us about falling in love with China.
4.6 out of 5 based on 9,674 reviews
I started my 120-hour online TEFL course at the start of 2014 after a trip to South Korea. Since then, my TEFL adventures have taken me to teach in China, Italy, Vietnam, and Myanmar. These are all beautiful countries with wonderful, creative students. However, it was China that first really captured my heart.
I landed in China in August 2014 and started work at both a university and a language centre in a small town. It was my first time teaching in Asia, and honestly, I hadn't researched it well enough. I was overworked and underpaid. Majorly. Sadly, many people I've met teaching TEFL had similar experiences in our first year. However, we all agree it made us tougher, and it has definitely made us appreciate the following jobs we've had. We should have spoken to other TEFL teachers before we left and done more googling.
I stayed a year in that small town with several other expats and made the most of my time. I learnt the language, hiked a lot, made some amazing Chinese girl pals, and worked hard. At the end of that contract, I moved to a bigger city with a bigger expat population and a job with a great company. I had a second awesome year.
China has so much to offer, and if you're put off by negative comments about people, pollution, or politics, I'm telling you, don't be! Life in China can be challenging, but it's worth the effort.
People all over Asia are very welcoming from the get-go. They really want to welcome you and make you feel comfortable. Occasionally, China doesn't feel this way. Mostly, I found Chinese people wary of me, with locals only talking to me when needed and watching me with suspicious eyes. It was uncomfortable, to say the least, however, after a few weeks, I found I was accepted by my local community and taken in like family. Other cultures had treated me well from the start, but it hadn't always developed too much further. In China, I was suddenly a part of the community. The local shopkeeper gave me fruit and invited me to watch TV with her, the security guard taught me how to cook, and I taught him how to use his smartphone. A local restaurant owner practised Chinese with me and cooked me meals while I watched his kids. I was treated like one of them, which I haven't lost to this day; whenever I visit, they all welcome me in the same way. The love took longer to earn, but it went deeper and lasted longer.
If not for the people, the food in China is enough to make you stay! Where a British person might start a conversation about the day's weather, a Chinese person will always ask about food! "nǐ chī le ma?" - "What have you eaten?". Although fresh vegetables were cheap and easy to buy at the roadside markets, I ate out most of my time in China, sometimes picking up street noodles or pancakes, occasionally fancy restaurants or holes in the walls - everything was good! As a vegetarian, some of my favourite foods are from China. Just ask for "wǒ bù chī ròu" - "I don't eat meat". Food is served family style with plates in the centre of the table and everyone helping themselves. Chinese people are always excited to help you find new foods and try the delicious salty, sweet, and spicy dishes on offer!
The students in China are wonderfully loving and creative. Their behaviour is great, and they are very excited about any cool games, activities, or crafts.
Where I went and what I did
The students in China are wonderfully loving and creative. Their behaviour is great, and they are very excited about any cool games, activities, or crafts. The parents are always super interested in their students' learning and are very kind people.
One thing I particularly loved was how easy the train travel was, and how cheap it was. I could book a train ticket on an app called ChinaTrains, hop on a fast train and be in the next city so fast. Hotels are cheap, which meant plenty of days off spent exploring, although not all hotels can accept foreigners, so check before travelling. I was living in the northeast, and there were so many fascinating towns to explore: the relaxing seaside town of Dalian, the Russian city of Harbin, the ancient city of Shanhaiguan where the Great Wall runs into the sea, Beijing, the North Korean border town of Dandong, the list is endless. I hiked the Great Wall 8 times, and I am still not bored of it! All these place names that meant nothing to me before now hold dear memories I share with other expats.
Expat life was not as easy as in places like Hanoi, where the expat scene was extensive and Western amenities were readily available. In my first town in China, we couldn't find cheese; in the second city, we paid a lot for it. Although if you look hard enough, you'll find a way to get anything you want - we once got monster munch crisps delivered! We had to use a VPN to connect to dear Facebook, and one time, the temperature dropped to minus 36 in winter, and the water often cut out. There are plenty of bars, where the expats all group together for events such as open mic or quiz nights. Some of my closest friends now are people I bonded with in this city, people with different interests or different ages, all brought together by the fact we lived in this same city and all toughened by the sometimes infuriating things that happen here (let people out of the elevator/subway before getting in!). I've not seen any expat community so close as in my home in China. Multiple friends from China have come to visit me in other places - all adventurous souls and life-loving human beings.
In short, if you're considering China as a TEFL destination, DO IT! Pack your adventurous cap, a super chilled attitude, and an ability to laugh at everyday frustrations and go and embrace the culture. But be prepared to leave a part of your heart there!
Follow Holly on Instagram for amazing pictures! Are you interested in starting your TEFL journey? Look at our highly-accredited, world-renowned TEFL courses and get started today!
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