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Living in China is unlike anything you may have experienced before. Describing what life is like to friends and family can be tough. In the beginning, everything is new and exciting. Over time, it doesn't lose its special edge, but you usually adapt, and you find that you start to create a new life abroad. It is a big change to what I am used to, but I love it.
Growing up, I lived in a sleepy beach town in California; I graduated from University with an itch to see the world. During college, I taught in an English Summer Camp for a local University in Hanzhong. From the moment I got off the plane, I fell in love with the Middle Kingdom. Three years later, the curiosity was still alive and burning. I love to “get lost” in the streets of Chengdu, exploring the twists and turns of the alleyways. I love to just walk. Walk until my feet hurt, because the best way to get the feel of a place is by pounding the pavement.
Before teaching in China, I was an apprentice welder and a handyman but got restless with the same schedules, day after day. I joined EF in December 2016 and am now starting this next chapter in China at KJN in Chengdu. Before coming to EF, I was teaching in Hanzhong, Xuzhou, Xi'an, and finally Chengdu.
Now that I have settled into this fantastic country, I have found that there are certain things that I can't live without. Here are six things that I can't live without in China.
1. STAR WARS BOX SET
I love Star Wars and wanted to watch anywhere I travelled, so I bought all of the movies on DVD.
2. UNO
I wanted to get a game that is easy to learn and portable, so I got UNO. Easy to play when you are waiting for a train or a plane!
3. MY DOG
My wife loves Golden Retrievers, sowe decided to get one and make our apartment more homely. His name is Cooper!
4. MY GAMES CONSOLE
I used to be a big gamer back in the States and was missing the gaming community. I decided to get a PS3 so I could connect with the gaming community and my friends back home.
5. MY COFFEE MACHINE
Starbucks is too expensive, and the instant coffee has cream and sugar already mixed in. Needed some of the black coffee before starting any day!
6. MY RABBIT
I always had a rabbit growing up, so I decided to get one! Her name is Bonnie, and she loves the greens.
Life in China has changed a lot in the last few years. Technology is making things more and more convenient, there's always lots to see and lots to do. But don't just take my word for it!