Don't reveal too much personal information in your resume.
Do not give your passport to anyone to keep it for you and if you ever lose your passport or have it stolen, contact your Embassy/Consulate right away.
Try to put some money aside (in the bank) in case of emergencies.
Saving money in China can amount to a lot over the long run, being frugal here is not about being cheap.
Agree, the cost of living in China-Asia is getting more expensive everyday.
two cents into the conversation
Beijing and Shanghai have most of the things you need, country side: bring a little extra of everything.
Dont forget you are an employee
Accept your employee's status
Be a professional team player
travel light
2 pair of shoes (1 pair of walking shoes)
5 shirts 3 dressing pants 2 belts
small toiletry bag
don't bring your old computer, unless you don't use internet cafes and school library computers. You can also buy a new computer at any retail store.
bring your alarm clock
Tell your students to avoid asking anyone personal politics, religion, it does make people uncomfortable.
live frugally, expect nothing, don't plan ahead too much (you're a foreigner), be ready to leave your school at any moment and be ready to find another school fast.
Everything that can go wrong could go wrong: lost luggage, lost passport, unknown/unexpected health condition, no furnished apartment and no apartment at all. Make sure to have enough money to return to your home country.
If your students ask you if you have ever heard of Mao, you don't have to pretend you haven't heard of him or give a sarcastic response. Everybody knows Mao. I agree that you shouldn't put politics or religion into your lessons because you are there to teach them English. They are not so sensitive that you can't acknowledge their history.
quit repeating that everything is better where you come from, if you do not like it here then leave asap.
dont pretend to be important and smarter than local men, just because you have attractive local woman you just met with you in bars, restaurants...you will only show you are a clown. Same woman are seen with new foreigners on town all the time.
Very important: don't pretend to be rich back home and you just here as a tourist.
agreed 100 percent. if any chinese ask you if you heard about mao, say that you don't know b/c you never met him.
DON'T DISCUSS POLITICS.
young korean
never criticized any food and dont criticize what you cant understand.'nuff said
make the effort to interact with locals.
1- Always be on time
2- Dress properly
3- Be nice, always