Hi everyone

I am thinking of going to China to teach english...am I mad to go alone by myself??

I have been looking at a job in Taiyuan or Tianjiin ...

Does anyone have any advice on these places...and going to China by myself...

I look forward to hearing from you...any advice will be much appreciated...

Ciara.

No you're not mad, I did the same myself 2 years ago and have not regretted it once.

I don't have any advice on those two towns but as for China it’s self just have fun. Try to immerse yourself as little or as much as you want, more so will make your stay a more enjoyable and rewarding experience. Be aware of yourself and your surroundings, don't carry wads of cash in your pockets and don't do anything that you wouldn’t do back at home.

If you have no Mandarin knowledge, study up on some basic words/phrases. This will make your life just a little bit easier at the start. It's hard enough trying to navigate a new city/country for the first time, let alone not being able ask for help, directions or things like that. But in saying that, a lot of people in big cities know basic if not more English, so it might not be necessary, depends where you're headed.

Good luck!

I'm moving alone in August.  Go for it!!!

oh and I have a few Mandarin educational apps on my phone right now.  very cool.

Hi I moved to China three months ago, although I did move here with my partner. When applying for a job ask how many other "foreign" teachers they have. Also I am very lucky to have a great "head of international affairs" who is there to help us along the way 24 hours a day available and is showing us all the good places...an not so goos places as well. It depends on where you are going but here in Dali (Foshan) no one speaks English. The chinese english teachers at the school do but the spoken english is not great.

I hope it works out for you, let me know if you want more info.

Taiyuan and Tianjin are both nice places, Tianjin has an expat group website.. something like tianjinexpats.com Google search it and connect with people!

My wife is from Tianjin, been there a few times, its a pretty good place. lots to see and do (but then so does everywhere in China!). that expats website is really good too, register and have a look about. they also have their own vacancies section.