I arrived in China a year ago, filled with angst and excitement. I had no idea what it was going to be like, I knew absolutely NO Mandarin, I had done some research on the area, but neglected to research things like how bathrooms worked here (ummm squat toilets? No hot water or soap in the public bathrooms? Ugh), how many holidays schools had here (too many to count!!), and well there is the other issue of doing more research for the agency I was hired by. That deserves a book, not a blog. Perhaps one day I will sit down and write a book about the whole experience of China that I have had – not an overly pleasant story at times but one that should be written about. But that is for another day!
I am so grateful for all the things that I was able to see and experience here. Some will say that I missed out on seeing so much and that I will regret it. I do not regret not seeing the Great Wall – it’s a dream for a lot of people, but honestly, I moved to the North East part of China to see Harbin and Shenyang, and because it was not as big a city as Beijing or Shanghai. I did not come to China to see the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, Beijing or Shanghai. Hot temperatures, humidity, and millions of people around – none of that sounds like fun. I came to China to teach, to experience the culture, and to live amongst the Chinese. I came here to prove to myself that I could teach kids and enjoy it and be good at it. And I accomplished all of that. For that I am very proud of myself.
I have enjoyed my time here. And I am now ready to experience a brand new culture. The Chilean culture. The food. The sights. Penguins! Volcanoes! The Atacama!! Empanadas!!! (yes, I am VERY excited to have Chilean empanadas!!) The cool weather. The Pacific Ocean!! Oh yes, it is definitely time for me to leave China and to start exploring the southern hemisphere of this amazing world we live in.
So now it is time to say good bye to China!! Thanks for the memories that will last a lifetime, but I am happy to say PEACE OUT! On to bigger and better things. Chile awaits…
Louise's Loves - Travel, Cooking, Photography, Thoughts 
You should be proud of yourself. You did it! Now, on to the next challenge. Do they speak Spanish or Portuguese in Chile? After you recover from the flight from China, keep us updated. I always wanted to visit Chile. If you go near the Atacama bring plenty of water. I hear it’s the driest place on earth.
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They speak Spanish, so I am trying to learn the basics. I will be at the desert!! It is one of the highlights for my trip 🙂
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Oh surely you would have now learned a full vocabulary of Chinese/mandarin by now! And who knows you can impress your Chilean students with a few words of it!
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A full vocabulary lol. I can impress them with my counting skills haha
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As long as you do it with style, we are sure they will be impressed!
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loved reading about your time here! I am traveling with the International Alliance of Invitational Education and will be at this school in 2 weeks for a week. Your blog has been most helpful and insightful! Thank you!
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Where will you be at? What city and school? I am glad you enjoyed reading my story 🙂
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We will be at The United Experimental School of AHSJU and Livon in Changchun. There are 5 of us going for 10 days, but we will only be in the school for 5 days. That’s why I was so thrilled to find your blog.
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Oh wow!!! You will love it there!! It is an amazing school with amazing teachers!!
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You will love it. Its amazing there 🙂
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