Lessons for the Lawai

Why China?

F.O.M.O.

Visions of Sugar Plums

How to juggle your visions of sugar plums and your China reality

Be clear and honest about your goals

SpecificMeasurableAchievableRealisticTimely

Your goal = your success story.Keep it clearly in your sitesMake it your measuring stick. it will help you rise above the day-to-day struggles. you cant control China, but you can set your own goals

Ultimately, thisis where your goal will take you

In your ClassroomChinese/Western styleESLChinese staffHead TeacherHead StudentU-Turns and surprisesFasten your seatbelts

$200 for teaching suppliesstickersfoldersduo-tangsCanadian/Western swag - pins, flags, stickers, pencilsa real teachers planneranything youve used or relied on7:50 - 5:00 with expectationsschool bus to town!

Me, in the classroomJournal writing quiet, working classroomIm the one setting the agenda a breather before you begin a great pre-speaking strategyassessment

You, in the classroomsharingWord Wall/postersChinese fresh air (aka no heat), long underwear and lined shoes/bootshot waterobserve the Chinese teachers and strategiesuse what is useful

Foodbring what you cant live withoutreading labelsCarrefour and OlemixesspicesKDand when all else fails, Immodium

Food at Schoolmonthly allowance3 meals/dayfruit and vegchicken feet and headssoup: magic potion to survive January and Februaryapartment kitchens are hot-plates

Restaurants, Street food and the Grocery Store

Know thy contractwhats normal?other duties as requiredhealth insurancevacation datespayment and transfer of funds

TAKE YOUR TIMEexcitement/honeymoonwithdrawal/depressionadjustmentassimilation

Do some reading and research!Many great websitesSimple etiquettebusiness cardsclinking glasses and toastshow to be a good guestLearn some basic Chinesecountingthank youhello

Finally and in no particular orderCopy your PASSPORT, CREDIT CARD NUMBERS, CHINESE VISAALL 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 Download SKYPE, and a VPN BEFORE leaving home. BRING ORIGINALS OF ALL DOCUMENTS YOU SENT TO AEI. Difficult to find in China: deodorant, tampons, razor blades (men and women) soap in bars .A years supply of underwear. Chinese sizes are very tiny compared to our sizes. in China 4X is equivalent to a Western Size 12.A list stolen from the principal in Beijing just sayin)

and even moreshoes thumb drivewarm coat/jacketSmall flashlight power does go off now and thenMake-up/creams/toiletries/shampooThere are {no ovens} and no clothes dryers in China anywhere Bug Spray (mosquitoes) and AfterBite, Tiger Balm, Benadryl CreamSun screen when you travel, sun screen can be difficult to find

Taking Care of yourself in China, orIts All Well and Good Until Someone Loses an Eye

We need to be mentally and physically strong to manage well in China. walking, lugging, bravery in the intersectionsour contract says health plan but what we get is accident insurance. They are not the same thinghospitals in China are vastly different than in Canada. How so? you ask?

Lessons for lawai