Daily life
How coronavirus has affected my life as a teacher in China
Daily life
March 14, 2020 by Kim Ooi
From wearing face masks to battling boredom in locked-down cities, the coronavirus has changed the way we live in China. While I’m one of the lucky ones who hasn’t been infected by this contagious disease, it’s still had an...
How do you immerse yourself in Chinese culture?
Daily life
September 21, 2019 by Mike Cairnduff
Teaching in China is not just about teaching. It’s about all the experiences you’ll have outside the classroom too. One of these experiences is soaking up the Chinese culture. As one of the world’s oldest cultures, it’s...
Having diarrhea in China (and how you can beat it)
Daily life
October 24, 2018 by Nicholas McKay
Having diarrhea in China is probably the most unusual thing I’ve written about. Before you navigate away from the page, however, let me tell you that this blog may actually help you (and only partly gross you out). By the end, you’l...
7 weird things you will probably do in China
Daily life
August 13, 2018 by Gayle Aggiss
While you’re living and teaching in China, you’ll have a lot of amazing experiences. You’ll adapt yourself to a culture that’s very different to your own, and see sites you always dreamed of seeing in real life. You’l...
20 basic Mandarin phrases to help you survive in China
Daily life
May 18, 2018 by Kim Ooi
When I first thought about writing a blog on the most useful, basic Chinese phrases for a foreigner in China, I didn’t know where to start. I’ll be honest – if you never eat out, don’t travel anywhere, don’t go to bar...
7 weird things in China that gave me culture shock
Daily life
April 11, 2018 by Kim Ooi
As a foreigner in China, I initially experienced a lot of culture shock. Several things that I saw here frustrated and angered me. Nobody ever thought to brief me on what to expect or to explain why these things were happening. Eventually, h...
5 most unexpected things you will encounter in China
Daily life
October 08, 2017 by David Smith
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit a new place? Maybe even a new country? Oftentimes, it is easy to forget that not every other place looks just like, or works just like, how things do at home. Even something as simple as McDona...
10 things about China that may surprise you
Daily life
August 04, 2017 by Mike Cairnduff
Everyone knows that China is famous for pandas, the Great Wall, and its huge population. However, there are some things about this intriguing country that you may not know, particularly if you’re a first-time visitor. So, here are 10 thin...
The 7 deadly sins of China
Daily life
June 24, 2016 by Mike Cairnduff
China is one of the most fascinating countries in the world, whether you're traveling or teaching there. But like any country, it has its problems. Here’s an honest appraisal of some of the things foreigners find difficult deali...
The secret to overcoming culture shock
Daily life
March 19, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
The first few weeks in a foreign country can be a little overwhelming, especially for first-time travelers. China, in particular, is a real eye-opener. With its stark cultural differences, difficult-to-master language and sheer amount of people, m...
