Hi all,

I was planning on doing the Teach in China Internship in January, but now I'm starting to consider doing the 140hour combined course and then getting a job in China on my own. I have never been to China before, so I did like the idea of having a group of people there with me and the support on offer, but I'm wondering how difficult it is to go it alone.

Has anyone done anything simliar? ie. done an online/ combined course and then got a job in a country they haven't been to before? Any advice would be great, because I need to make this decision ASAP.

Thanks.

That's exactly what I did.

It's worth it for the money, but not for the company. Bar the one foreigner who lives below me, I have never seen a single foreigner on the streets in my city, and I can quite easily see someone who goes alone being placed completely by themselves in a school.

Also, if you're not up for really hitting the language hard, I wouldn't suggest going alone either. Most contracts when you go alone are at least 12 months, and without an immediate English buddy, it would pay you to learn a fair amount.

I can't recommend it enough, but unless you're very strong willed, I would avoid it, because going alone is exactly that. Very alone.

Thanks for that. That was the main thing that worried me about going alone. Did you do the internship then?

No, I went alone. When I said "That's exactly what I did" I meant actually going alone, not just the thought process.

Ohhh okay! Well I've spoken to someone at i-to-i today and now I think I am going to pay the extra for the internship. Definitely think it's worth it just to be with a group of people in the same situation.

Thanks for the advice anyway :)

Absolute pleasure

I didnt do the internship as I could not see the point in paying to do my job and could not see the value. I did go through a company which offered an intensive 2 week orientation with a group of 20+ like minded teachers who have been my informal support network ever since - in fact I think we have made some long term frienships.

I chose this option for similar reasons - I was traveling alone, I wanted back-up support if I needed it  but I also wanted to be paid a respectable wage for the work I was doing. i got all this and more and have never regreted the decision not to do the internship. message me if you want more details.

Cheerrs, Katie.

Hi,

I went with the i-to-i support programme when I came to Thailand, I would say for your first time it's a good idea just to get your bearings and not feel completely alone, but I wouldn't do it again. Then once you done it once you can give it a go on your own, that's my plan, I'll let you know how it goes, I fly to China for a years contract on October 27th so fingers crossed it will be alright, whatever happens just keep thinking it will be alright and it usually is, scary but fine, good luck x

Yeah, I'm booked on the internship in China now :) A friend of mine has just gone out to China for a year's contract and she's loving it so far! She's been there for nearly a month now. I'm sure everything will be great!