$100? Ahhhh I have to pay 40euro for the initial visa and then TTC have said I need 2500RMB or something to extend it, it works out at about 350euro-that's quite expensive isn't it?

I've started learning Chinese with a tutor once a wk. So far I know how to pronounce pinyin and greet people. It's a pretty cool language but really difficult to learn. I'm going to start going twice a wk closer to the time to make sure I have the basics going over. 

We don't get paid 'til we complete a full month of teaching which means I need to bring enough money to keep me going for 8 wks or so-Do you think 16000CNY is enough? 

Thanks for all your help and advice :D

Hey :)

Thanks for the great advice. I'll keep that in mind! I'm trying to keep my expectations low but I know China will amaze me! I think my Chinese friends are trying to tell me the worst things about China so I'm fully prepared but what they're telling me really isn't that bad so if that's all I have to deal with I'll be pretty happy. How are you coping with the change in food-is their plenty of selection over there? Is there anything you wish you brought with you?

Glad you're getting on well over there-have you any idea how long you'd like to stay over there? Are you on a F visa or a Z visa? For some reason we have to get an F visa, a 60 day one in our home country and then we have to extend it to 6 months over there. I don't get why we aren't going for a Z visa or why we can't just get the full F visa at home because it is working out quite expensive. How much did you end up paying for your visa??

I don't know what part of Beijing we're going to. Some of the other interns and I are heading out a week early to explore Beijing a bit before the orientation starts on the 15th of August. We're staying in The Happy Dragon hostel in the Dong Cheng district so I don't know where that is in relation to where you are? I'll defo get in touch if I'm near by. Thanks very much for being my source of information :D

Haha - yes, I am still alive. Just caught up with life. I guess as I have become more comfortable living in China and of course with working and playing tourist - I feel less of a need to write about things. Things are going great in Nanjing. I love teaching the kids and my school is wonderful. Now that it is sunny and warm outside, I spend lots of time exploring:) I am guessing that there are more foriegners in Beijing? Here I am one of few so people stare at me often, which can be a little irritating when you don't feel like being watched - but overall they have good intentions and are just curious. Hope all is well in Beijing!

Heyyy Matt! How are you doing? Hows is life in Beijing treating you! I haven't been on here in a while but everytime I'm on I like to check out your posts to see how your adventure is going! I'm glad you're having a great time over there. Any advice for me? I got accepted to the internship so I'm going to Beijing August 8th (arriving August 9th). So excited but freaking out at the same time! I'm trying to compile a list of things to bring with me and it seems neverending-not a good idea when my luggage has to be under 20kg-disaster! Do you feel like you have settled in yet or are you still adjusting? I guess when you're China you can never really fully adjust!!! Anyway hope you're keeping well. Happy Easter :D

Sounds great! Best of luck with the new adventure and the new job! I'm sure you will have a great time. Let us know how you are getting on over there. I look forward to reading your blog! 

Wow it is happening so fast. All the same it's better than waiting around twidling your thumbs, especially seen as it's what you have wanted to do for a while now! I'm very excited for you. S.Korea has always been my main destination but ever since I found out about the China internship and started to look into China a lot more i'm really excited about going over, it seems like an amazing place. I've even looked into studying over there. Who knows, we may meet on the streets of Beijing at some stage. Will you be teaching alongside a co-teacher? How did you find the whole interview process etc..Have you had to apply for a visa yet? I'm still waiting to hear back about the China internship but the sooner we can sort out flights and the visa etc..the better. I've just completed the grammar course today so I have the 4 specialised modules and the 20hour classroom course in March to do. Have you much to sort out before you leave for China? I bet you can't believe it! In a couple of weeks you will be waking up in China!!! 

Hey!!! I've just seen your post about getting a job in Beijing! That was quick! Congrats :D Excited? When are you planning on leaving? 

Awesome man will do!

 You're like my guardian angel of the TEFL world. :-D... i'll check it out now. 

Well done you! That was quick!  You can often find information about specific schools, or ask questions on Dave's ESL Café,  but bear in mind that people are more likely to write if they've had a negative experience than a positive one... sometimes those forums are just used by disgruntled teachers who fancy letting off steam.  Worth a look though, you might find some practical information.

Good luck whatever happens :-)

Hi,

well, I've written so much about Ecuador already, I can only say:

look after your stuff

take sun protection

don't believe everything you are told!

see everything - there's so much to see.....

eat everything, including street food - you may get ill once or twice but that'll pass and pinchos are very tasty after a few beers!

try to speak a bit of Spanish, even if you're crap, they'll apreciate it a lot more than if you don't try.  If you speak Spanish already all the better as it helps stop you being overcharged.

Don't buy anything that won't fit into your luggage however tempting it is and however much people might hassle you to buy stuff.

Don't listen to negative stories and people moaning - of course it's different, it's a developing country, once you've adapted you'll realise how to make the best of it and have a really good time.