atlantic education international - adjusting to china

F.O.M.O.

Visions of Sugar PlumsYes … I know what you’re doing on the internet.

A quick contrast in reality

How to juggle your

visions of sugar plums

and your China reality

Why are you heading to China?

• my story• 10 minutes• share your answers

Be clear and honest about your goals

• SMART GOALS!!! • Specific• Measurable• Achievable• Realistic• Timely

Your goal = your success story.

• Keep it clearly in your sites• Make it your measuring stick. • it will help you “rise above” the day-to-day

struggles. • you can’t control China, but you can set

your own goals

Ultimately, this is your goal

In your Classroom

• Chinese/Western style• ESL• Chinese staff• Head Teacher• Translators• U-Turns and surprises• Fasten your seatbelts

$200 for teaching supplies

stickers

folders

duo-tangs

Canadian/Western swag

planner

anything you’ve used or relied on

7:50 - 5:00 with expectations

school bus to town!

Me, in the classroom

Journal writing

quiet, working classroom

I’m the one setting the agenda

a breather before you begin

a great pre-speaking strategy

You, in the classroom

sharing

Word Wall/posters

Chinese good health, long underwear and lined shoes/boots

hot water

Food• bring what you can’t live

without• list??

• reading Chinese*• translators

• coffee• Carrefour and Ole• mixes• spices• rice - yes, rice• Immodium

Food at School

monthly stipend … usually

3 meals/day

fruit and veg

chicken feet and heads

soup: magic potion to survive January and February

Restaurants, Street food and the Grocery Store

Know thy contract

Pick your

Battles

TAKE YOUR TIME

excitement/honeymoon

withdrawal/negotiation

adjustment

assimilation

Do some reading and research!

Many great websites

Simple etiquette

business cards

“clinking” glasses and toasts

how to be a good guest

Learn some basic Chinese

counting and money

“thank you”

“hello”

Finally and in no particular order

• Download a copy of your PASSPORT, CREDIT CARD NUMBERS, CHINESE VISA information onto your computer. You may

need to print any of this information to prove who you say you are in China or in Canada should your passport be ‘misplaced’

• ALL Medications, vitamins for the entire year – especially vitamin D since there is little sunshine. Over the counter meds such as

Tylenol, allergy meds, ibuprophen, Gelusil, Tums, Cold and Flu meds, etc

• Make sure you download SKYPE, and a VPN BEFORE leaving home.

• BRING ORIGINALS OF MEDICAL DOCUMENTS, CRIMINAL CHECK AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS YOU SENT TO

AEI.

• The following are difficult to find in China: deodorant, tampons, razor blades (men and women) soap in bars . Bring a year’s

supply. Small Hand Sanitizers

• A year’s supply of underwear. Chinese sizes are very tiny compared to our sizes.

• in China 4X is equivalent to a Western Size 12. Do not assume that you can fill in the gaps in your Size 14/16 wardrobe in China.

As me how I know.

A list stolen from the principal in Beijing … just sayin’)

… and even more

•shoes

• thumb drive

•warm coat/jacket

•Small flashlight – power does go off now and then

•Make up/creams/toiletries/shampoo

•There are {no ovens} and no clothes dryers in China – anywhere

•Bug Spray (mosquitoes) and AfterBite, Tiger Balm, Benadryl Cream

•Sun screen – when you travel, sun screen can be difficult to find

A quick glimpse at why I’m going back