China Internship Here I Come!!

Hi Kim,

Ive never taught either so im in the same boat.  I figured that so0 long as im in China, teaching and have4 a good support network around me ill be happy.  In terms of how we state our preferences I read from someone else on here that they got to put preferences down for where and who they'd like to teach but there were no guarantees of firsts choices.  But I am going to London for a free taster session with I-to-I on 20th Feb so If anyone has any questions they'd like me to ask then Im more than ahppy to.  Ill be asking about age and place preferences but if anyone can think of any other burning questions they have im all ears! :)

In terms of region, im thinking southern and maybe close to the coast and I hear the weather is more agreeable in the south.  But im still reading up on China atm.  I got a few books from the library and turns out I knew very little about China - there's so much to know just about its political history and how much it has changed over the last 100 years, Ive not yet got to what its like to live there now! lol. 

Ooh hey, did some research and "Ni hao" everyone (hello) :)  watch this space Ill try find some other useful phrases to add up here too :)

Much Love,  Abi

I've officially signed up also (as of Saturday)! Yay, so glad a few of us found each other! It will be SO nice to have some ppl in the same boat to chat to about plans and fears and questions. Great to have a support system and at least know each other by name before getting there. Abi - I'm flexible about where I teach and what age but I was thinking I'd probably prefer Southern China (seems like climate would be better and it's closer to some countries I want to travel to on my off time). And I think I'd prefer to teach younger kids around age 5-11? Though I'm not picky, I've never taught before so it's hard for me to say what I'd prefer. I think older kids, like high school age, would be a bit intimidating! Kindergarten would be fun though! Do you know, do we get to state our preferences in terms of what ages we teach? I assume we do and they just do their best to get you what you want (but no guarantees).

What are you ladies thinking for region and age? I need to figure out a schedule for my TEFL course work and start on that - ah so much to think about! lol. Glad to know I have you guys to chat to about all this though...

Great news Kate! Where are you from?  And im definately joining the trip so will see you all in Beijing on 23rd August! :) I-to-I are holding a place for me until end of Feb and im on target to have the funds by then.  Working all hours god sends at the moment to try and save up! 

Jane/Kim, Id love to stay in touch too, it would be really great if there are some familiar faces when I step off the plane in Beijing! Ive been discussing it with friends and family too over the past few weeks, and they all are very supportive - although my mum is a little worried for me - talking about jabs and yellow fever - I guess thats a mother's job.

Ive been doing some reading on China too - got some books from the library and Wiki is a good source of info too.  Does anyone have any ideas where they'd like to go in China yet? Urban, Rural, North, East Coast, Central or South?  Ive heard Shanghai is pretty amazing but maybe not as culturally shocking as more rural areas?? 

Also, im interested to kow if anyone has an age group they're particularly looking forward to teaching.  Ive heard some say that kindergarten age is great fun and exciting, but I was thinking more of the older kids, say 7-11s or maybe early teens?  Would love to know what you're all thinking or if you have any words of wisdom on the subject?

Anyway, thanks again for all the support friends,

Chat soon,

Abi xxx

Hi Abi,

Made my decision today and I have now booked my place on the China Internship in August, would be great to be in touch with you if you are joining the trip too.

Kate

Hi Abi,

I'm thinking of going in August too.  In fact following several days of talking about it to friends I kinda think I'm 80% sure that I'll be signing up.  Will let you know if/when I do.

Would love to stay in touch, especially if you're going to be there too.  Would be great to keep each other motivated, share the excitements, allay the fears and just generally help prepare for something life changing!

Chat soon

Jane.

Yes Abi, I'm an Eastern Canadian considering doing the China internship in August as well! Still undecided but it's certainly one of the options I'm considering. Hopefully I can get my mind straight and make a decision soon, and if I do decide to do it I'd love to connect with others that are going!

Thanks for the support guys, and Trace thanks for the request, Ive now accepted so maybe we can chat and share our thoughts before we go.  Im just gettting money together atm and hope to pay by end of Feb, then its on with the learning!  I can't wait! Speak soon, Abi x

Abi, I am considering the China intership as well. I am from the States. I think it would be a very good experince and a lot of fun to go to China for 4.5 months.

Trace

Hey Abi,

That's great you're thinking about doing the China internship - it's an amazing experience. You might want to chat to Kim who's also considering heading out there in August: http://www.tefl-chalkboard.com/kimhumes/

Also keep your eyes peeled on Chalkboard, as we've got three of the interns who are going out there in February lined up to blog about their experiences of the internship, so you'll get a taste of what it's like for real before you head out there in August.

Good luck!