101 Reasons to Teach in China

There will always be many reasons (read: excuses) not to go, but here are ONE HUNDRED AND ONE reasons to get up and grab life by the chopsticks.

1. You meet people from all over the world, not just all over town.
2. You’ll get to experience China’s ancient hospitality and rich history.
3. You become self-sufficient and independent.
4. Teaching on your year in China enables you to try it out before you commit to a PGCE or Teach First placement.
5. You’ll learn that your basic needs are luxuries in many parts of China.
6. Many teachers meet their future husband or wife on their year abroad;)…
7. Old ladies dancing in the park at sunset and sunrise.
8. You can run the marathon on the great wall.
9. Avatar Mountains (Zhang Jia Jie).
10. There are 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in China as of 2014.
11. You’ll learn the most difficult language in the world!
12. Qingdao beer.
13. You’ll make friends for life.
14. You’ll make life-long friends.
15. You’ll master the virtue of patience.
16. Taobao.
17. 4 a.m. Chao Mian.
18. Free drinks in clubs because you’re foreign.
19. You’ll learn to love Bai Jiu (not really).
20. You’ll master the art of bargaining.
21. KTV.
22. Look cool on a budget.
23. You’ll learn how to use chop sticks.
24. You’ll get used to sleeping on a rock-hard bed.
25. Chinese Calligraphy.
26. Chinese tea, there’s so much more to it than you had previously thought.
27. You’ll get used to people spitting in public.
28. You are showing future employers that you can be thrown in the deep end and cope with a variety of intense good and bad situations.
29. Your friends back home will envy your experience.
30. You’ll be introduced to the best instant messaging app, wechat.
31. A lower cost of living for a higher quality of life.
32. Being able to drink in public.
33. It will help you appreciate home more.
34. Adventure through spectacular realms of nature: forests, jungles, hot springs, and mountains
35. It will teach you humility.
36. High Speed Bullet Trains.
37. You’ll be able to save a lot of money.
38. Guiding students to success, both individually and through group work.
39. If you never had the opportunity to study abroad in college, this is your chance to see the world.
40. Being fluent in Chinese will open innumerable doors and possibilities to you, both in your career and personal life.
41. Jiuzhaigou valley and national park.
42. Learning to speak Chinese in China will make it easier to learn other languages from scratch, as you will understand the learning process.
43. Being around children will teach you how to be a better parent (should you teach children).
44. Being around adult students is a great opportunity to network (should you teach adults).
45. China is completely different and diverse, geographically, ethnically and culturally.
46. The historic sites are impressive and fascinating.
47. 6 a.m. Tai Chi sessions in the park.
48. Being able to interact with students who are mostly good and do try to do what’s expected of them.
49. Despite what many expats think, the visa document collection and application process is actually a lot easier than in other Asian countries like Korea and Japan.
50. Awesome travel opportunities, both domestically and internationally.
51. You’ll learn to tolerate large crowds.
52. Stay forever young at heart.
53. Large and affordable apartments.
54. Tons of curious people.
55. Get out of your Comfort Zone.
56. Low teaching hours and tons of free time allow you to pursue new hobbies and interests, including learning Mandarin, martial arts, or artistic pursuits.
57. China has rapidly caught up with other markets for ESL jobs, and teachers in China are now able to save more than their counterparts in Korea and Japan.
58. See the birth-place of Kung Fu (and Kung Fu Panda).
59. You’ll challenge yourself constantly.
60. Finding a teaching position in China is really simple (especially if you go through Teaching Nomad).
61. See the city Marco Polo described as “the City of Heaven, the most beautiful and magnificent in the world.” (Hangzhou)
62. Buy fake stuff for cheap.
63. You’ll overcome your fear of public speaking
64. Feel like a celebrity when you go out (especially in rural areas).
65. Virgin Boy Tea Eggs.
66. Riding a scooter without a license.
67. Signs in Chinglish.
68. The feeling of travelling while you’re working.
69. Learn about Chinese superstitions.
70. Perfect your sign language.
71. Yuanyang Rice Terraces.
72. It’s a mix of tradition and modernity.
73. Even at 2 in the morning, the streets are freakishly safe
74. Milk tea sold on every street corner.
75. Cheap taxis.
76. Dragon boat races.
77. The thrill of a good and well thought out lesson.
78. 24/7 McDonald’s.
79. Acquire practical life skills.
80. Men of all ages go topless in public or roll up their shirt on hot days (Beijing Tuxedo).
81. Weekend getaways to the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.
82. You’ll (re-)discover yourself.
83. Efficient public transportation.
84. You’ll escape the routine of your current life.
85. Squat toilets are actually better for your health.
86. Put your problems in perspective.
87. Debunk China myths and stereotypes.
88. Seeing your students grow over the time you have them;
89. Admire completely different works of art.
90. Inspire and be inspired.
91. Evolve into a happier, more well-rounded, and better person.
92. The freedom of the job; it’s not your average 9-5 office gig.
93. You’ll have the power to shape and control lives.
94. Traditional Chinese Medicine & Massage.
95. Pandas.
96. Dwarf Tours.
97. The Marriage Market of People’s Square (Shanghai).
98. Climb the four sacred Buddhist Mountains.
99. Shanghai Disneyland.
100. Yangshuo.
101. Your future students.