This is an interesting topic and clearly costs as well as income are a concern (and motivation) for everyone. With that said, motivation for doing anything, including what we choose to do for our work and where we choose to live, is different for everyone. I am American and I come from the northern California, San Francisco Bay Area. It is said my area of the US is the most expensive area for cost of living, even more than New York City! I worked in the Financial Technology industry and most immediately as a recruiter for a firm that specialized in technology. Compensation for my previous posi ..read more

So, you’re fresh out of college and enjoying that sweet life of freedom and independence – that is, until the bills start rolling in. Now that the post-graduation high has subsided, you’re now face-to-face with adulthood and all that comes with it. Even though you know it’s time to establish some structure and responsibility in your life, you can’t help but think it’s all feeling too soon to ‘settle down.’ “There’s a whole world out there! I cannot be contained by these societal constructs!” Yes, you are 100% right about that; there is a whole world out there. And in fact, there is an entire n ..read more

If you’ve just gained your teaching certificate then no doubt you’re wondering, ‘What’s next?’ As a certified English teacher, opportunities around the world have opened up to you. Will you choose to teach in your home country? Or will you leave your comfort zone and join the thousands of English teachers who have made the move overseas? Living in a different country can be one of life’s most enriching experiences. So out of all the countries in the world, why teach in China? A rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and world-famous food should whet your appetite. Need more? Read on for fi ..read more

So, you have decided to come and teach in China, and you are wondering what to expect. You may have heard from people who absolutely loved it and possibly some horror stories, too. Your experience will be impacted by the company and school you choose, the size of the city where your school is located, and the age of the students you’ll be teaching. Here are 5 things to be aware of before you become a teacher.   Adaptation is key When I first came to China, I was working in a small city in what is known as a training school, it had very few resources including current text books. I was expected ..read more

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” Pirkei Avot Chapter 1:14 Another year is closing, and I reflected on my professional life and the progress that was accomplished in 2019. It seems to me no matter the task commitment and longevity are keys and ideals that always uplift me. One such thought is the volunteer program, REACH, which I coordinate along with two colleagues Wendy Weng and Shelley Xiong. REACH is a program in its seventh year gives teachers and staff from our EF campuses here in Shenzhen opportunities to serve ou ..read more

Before I started planning my trip to Vietnam, I had no idea it was such a mainstream backpacker/ expat place. Typically, when you think of Southeast Asian budget paradise, the first thing that comes to mind is Thailand; but Vietnam is actually one of the cheapest places to travel in the world! (1USD = 23,191 VND; 2019) As solo budget travel becomes increasingly popular, Vietnam finds itself more and more on the map every year. Vietnam is a long and narrow country, but packs in a TON of attractions. Whether you’re seeking big city (Ho Chi Minh), culture (Hanoi), or a tropical jungle getaway (Ha ..read more

As a part of the Production Management team, my job here in Shenzhen is to help facilitate the implementation of new EF products and projects, to coach academic teams, to implement innovative initiatives and to locate emerging talent at our Kids and Teens schools. It’s a wonderful job that provides me opportunities to meet many awesome EF’ers in schools and different departments all across the city (and country, for that matter)! One of the people I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know is Gavin Guo. Gavin is a teacher at a Kids and Teens school in Shenzhen. Having spent time wi ..read more

Lars von Trier’s 2011 film, Melancholia, and its angst, is an apt metaphor for the expat experience. The film provides a good metaphor for depression and loneliness. In the movie, earth is in danger of being hit by a rogue planet. On an isolated farm, two sisters await the impending cosmic doom. The planet is called ‘Melancholia’. Melancholy can hit at any time. Or perhaps, you’re like Kiefer Sutherland’s character, the ignorant husband to one of the sisters: “Melancholia won’t hit us, it’s going to miss.” … perhaps until the Christmas music starts playing. I usually start feeling homesick wh ..read more

Southeast Asia is one of the most stereotyped regions for women traveling solo. Uninformed people are always labeling Asia as dangerous or unsafe, especially for a woman traveling alone. Fortunately, that’s just not true. East and Southeast Asia are a backpacker’s paradise; brimming with cheap hostels, street food, and free photo ops. The truth is, traveling Asia is no riskier than traveling Europe or North America. As women, we should be keeping our wits about us everywhere we go; even in our everyday lives. But traveling as a woman isn’t just about safety. What about transportation, hygiene ..read more

Living in a new country brings with it a whole set of differences from the food, the people and their culture, the politics, the currency, and well simply the time zone! When you couple that with working in a new country, you add the work ethic and culture or the way of doing business and in China it is unique. In the world of international ESL, there are additional nuances when working and living in a new country; those are: the transient nature of the industry, the young age of the average ESL teacher, and the oft times close proximity of not just working with but living rather closely to yo ..read more