I am going with my boyfriend to India and Burma, a month in each, I went to thailand, laos and vietnam last year it was amazing you will love it!! Im thinking of applying to Seoul it looks an amazing city! I have asked for my 2 references today so just need to get that back from them and I will hear back today whether footprints will recruit me so fingers crossed :) x

Yes that would be so good if we did! I have emailed my uni today to get recommendations and the details to order more transcripts! If we get our applications in early we should also get a better pick of destinations! Where are you asking to go I want daegu or a coast destination! I'm hoping to get it sorted soon I'm hoping I get an epic interview and I get on! It will be amazing!! X

Also are you working with footprints recruiting as well? Have you found the epik process hard? I'm a bit worried about getting my degree certificate apostilled as I don't have my graduation until november, also I need to find out how to order 2 extra sets on transcripts! X

Hey! It went well I think! I should head back tomorrow whether footprints recruiting will accept me! I'm applying for the feb intake, it is a bit early but going travelling for 2 months in december before south korea so I want to get it all sorted before I go as I will be going straight from burma to south korea and I think the process takes a couple of months! Ahh so jealous about the china internship :) I am just about to graduate so can't afford to do anything until december! X

Not only is that enough, that is more than enough! 

That is cool that you're learning Chinese, by the time you come here you will be very prepared.

If I can survive here, anyone can.. you will be fine :) 

Haha well when you have a vast knowledge of your country, there is always gonna be bad stuff :)

I really like the food here (although a lot of people don't). I'm a vegetarian, so eating out in restaurants is pretty tough because 90% of the menu has some sort of meat product in it somewhere, but I can always find alternatives at supermarkets. There is a lot of wonderful food in Beijing, you've just gotta find out what you like and don't be afraid to try some of the bizarre food they have here, because you may stumble across something really good :D

If I'm fully satisfied with my experiences in Beijing after my 6 month contract then I will find somewhere else in China to work, if not, then I will stay here longer. I have no fixed plans yet. I'm currently working on an F visa, don't believe all the shit people say about it being super dangerous because it's not true, it's just the way things work here in Beijing. Yeah, it's against the law, but it's in their favour to let us stay, so they don't really care too much. Just say the right things at the right times and you'll go unnoticed :)

I payed $100 (roughly) for my visa, and I've already extended it here, it's a simple process. I'm pretty sure your company will let you know the in's-and-out's of what to do.

Yeah i know Dong Cheng, it's kinda near the centre of the city, i'm more on the outskirts. It's quite a popular area for tourism and I think you'll meet many Westerners doing the same thing you are, which is pretty cool, so you won't feel too alone :)

If you have any questions, just ask. One more piece of advice I would give is, study some basic Chinese before you come here. Don't worry too much about the crazy characters (Hanzi), just some Pinyin. It will be really helpful when you're here :)

Hey!

It's cool to hear that you're getting things sorted! My main advice is to not worry or freak out. It appears your whole process of coming here is very formal and well executed so just make sure you're on top of everything and enjoy the ride! August will be here before you know it :)

Beijing is treating me very nicely thanks. I'm fully adjusted, but to be honest I didn't experience any kind of culture shock, except maybe during my jet-lag period haha.... I've met some wonderful people, my job is great, life is very comfortable hear. I've had some awesome experiences and I'm sure I have plenty more to come. I'm studying the language a lot, and yeah Chinese is very difficult, but it's so awesome when I speak it and people understand me, I'm now able to have some simple conversations and I can communicate a little with my co-workers and students, it's great!

Do you know where in Beijing you're gonna be? I live in an area called Baboushan, have a look to see if you can find it. My contract ends in September, but when you come to Beijing I'll be more than happy to show you around and help ease you into the Chinese culture. Just remember, no matter what crazy culture you're about to experience, people are just people whereever you go, some you will like, some you won't. You will like certain aspects of Chinese culture and some you won't, just take everything in and make the most of it :D, that's my advice anyway :)

If you need any support or guidance, you can contact me on here, and I'll do my very best to help you out.
 
Good luck! 

yeah, I just saw something on the website about if you don't get accepted you do get some money refunded and they try to place you somewhere more suitable, hopefully that wont be the case though! Thankfully I only have two essays left and a presentation, but FOUR exams (eurgh!) but like you said some areas will come easily. e-mails sound better than this - mine is lj-3291@hotmail.co.uk :) Thanks for the facebook links, i've just requested them! haha, yeah thankfully I am at university about 2 hours away from home so it will be an over the phone job! central china would probably be my choice - for the simple fact you are in the middle so can go places easier! I haven't got to the application yet as I am still deciding, so i'm not sure of what the ages choices are. I've just looked at the modules, did you just select the top four? (less specific ones!) if you want to reply to this by e-mail feel free! I started and then realised I really should have sent this by e-mail as its gone on forever!

Ahhh, i am actually so excited and I haven't even booked yet, I'm just a bit worried about spending all that money and not getting to go - I think when the lady rings me back on monday I'm gonna ask about that possibility! yeah, realisitically I finish uni in May so after that I have all my time to complete the course, with just working to save inbetween - 120 hours really isn't THAT much right?! haha! I'm not too fussed where I go, but I would love to teach younger ages rather than older, I love little kiddies! how about you? do you have any experience of teaching?! going early sounds a good plan, to be honest I can fly from anywhere in the UK (as I live in Carlisle, even scotland isn't out of bounds for me) but I would love to fly with everyone else, to save being petrified! Don't worry about blabbing - I am the best at blab (as you can probably tell!) is there already a facebook group set up? is it a china intern specific one or just the general TEFL one? I am seriously considering booking now - but I best notify my mum and dad of my plan to spend a grand! haha! 

Hello :) thanks for the speedy friend acceptance!! you seem to be very clued up on the on-goings, so if you have any usefull information that can help me decide on my decision that would be greatly appreciated :) this whole thing is so exciting, but as I haven't started the TEFL course I am worried I wouldn't be a ble to fit it all in alongside finishing my degree!