I always seemed to struggle with what people have coined as "adulting.” After all, I was the kind of kid that couldn't wait to "grow-up.” However, when I was younger, I never pictured that independence and responsibilities went hand in hand. Completely unsure of what I wanted to do with my life, I decided to apply to some TEFL jobs overseas. Now, if anyone had asked me six months ago where I pictured my life to be, I would not in a million years have imagined I’d say China.  Not only had I never travelled anywhere in Eastern Asia before, but I also had very little help initially dissecting the so called, " in's and out's" of what I have come to know as a typical day in Suzhou. 

Picture is captured from Youku.com  

Living on the 15th floor of an apartment building (when you're scared of heights), paying bills and constructing lesson plans for a class of twenty three 4 to 6 year old children was again something I never pictured when I dreamed of being “independent.” I remember getting off the plane and looking at the crowds of people with one thought, “I wonder how quickly I could get a ticket home.” However, China tends to grow on you and I’m convinced that some of the nicest people in the world live here; plus, I hated Western Chinese food and now, after living here, I can happily eat rice or noodles 3 times a day. Teaching was also never a field I pictured myself in long term, yet I find myself wanting to go back to University to obtain a teaching degree. Even after all the chaos and uncertainty in the beginning, now not only do I know how to pay bills, but also I can bang out a lesson plan in less than 20 minutes.

I would be lying if I were to say that I don’t still have trouble with “adulting ” sometimes or that there haven’t been moments where - mostly due to my poor Chinese pronunciation skills - I haven’t missed “my” African sky. However, I’ve come to find peace in the sound of the cars on the road below my apartment and the delicious aroma of street food. Most importantly, if I have learnt anything from living in China, it’s: If you want something in life, sometimes you have to just go for it; and although at times it can be hard and somewhat scary, it’s never too late. I was only given 300 words to write this article and I’m already close to 500 (that means I have to stop typing now). China, is the land of opportunity and just like anywhere in the world it has its pros and its cons.  For now at least, Suzhou is my home. Suzhou not only gave me my independence, but also managed to birth me into somewhat of a responsible adult. So “Thank you, China,” and “Thank you, Suzhou.”

博人咨询总经理- 资深外教招聘管理主管与优秀外教Zoe合照