Buckland Weekly #6 : Not In Kansas Any More

Teaching is over, or almost over, for the year for the current teachers spread around China and it's getting close to that time of year when the new teachers, all bright and shiny and full of optimism, arrive here for the training before taking up their posts in schools.

As always, questions, both general and specific, have started to trickle in from the people who are coming so I thought I'd take this opportunity to address some of the more common ones and to introduce everyone to life at a school in China.

Let's kick off with some general advice. I've repeated it often enough and you will hear me repeat it again in training. “Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more.”

Everyone coming will, I assume, be intellectually aware that China is a different country with different customs, social attitudes and laws – and different ways of doing things. But if you are new to living abroad or new to China, a lot of it will catch you by surprise. Knowing about differences and living with them are very different things. Some of the teachers who come are already experienced teachers or well-travelled but some aren't and the culture shock can be severe.

Part of the problem is that at a superficial glance China, at least in the cities, can look very similar to home – wherever home may be – but it is, in fact, often very different. This isn't a value judgment. I'm not saying China is better or worse but it is different. And you certainly shouldn't judge by Yangshuo which is far more like home than anywhere else you are likely to be posted.

So, what's different?

A lot of this will be covered in detail in training so I'll just list a few things here, maybe with the odd cynical comment thrown in.

Schedules and timetables. In a school back home you will know the schedule for the whole year at the start of the first semester. Here you will be lucky if you find out about days off, exams or the end of term even a day before they happen. They aren't messing about, they genuinely don't know.

Health and Safety. Initially you will be horrified that there isn't any. Open manholes. Workmen balancing on fifth story window ledges, bare electrical cables. You will have to get used to it. It's just the way it is. Take a little extra care yourself. And remember how often you saw some new pernickity* regulation or over-zealous H&S officer back home and muttered “health and safety gone mad”.

Driving. Just take care when you cross the road. Or when you walk on the sidewalk. As a pedestrian you need to keep your wits about you. Pedestrian safety isn't a priority. 

Chinese hospitals. If you need to visit a hospital don't worry. Standards are good but practices can seem odd to us. For example they never give injections. Medicines are always administered on an IV drip.

Chinese medicine. I always insist on western medicine but your Chinese friends will try to persuade you to use traditional Chinese medicine or acupuncture or cupping or whatever. The choice is yours.

Food and drink. There are lots of foods you can't get – decent cheese for one – and lots of odd things that you have never eaten before – chicken feet spring to mind. Try the new stuff, you might like it. And try not to miss the stuff you can't get too much. Eat as much western food as you can while you are in Yangshuo. You might mot have a chance later. In bigger cities you may find shops with things you like. Or not.

Drinking culture. If you go out with Chinese friends just be careful of Baijiu. And you will find it very odd that beer is often drunk from shot glasses. It's easy not to realise how much you are drinking. If you don't drink at all people will respect your wishes but drinking just a little is not an easy option.

Hospitality. If a group of people go out for a meal it's normal for the person arranging it to pay. If you invite people out to dinner don't be surprised if your suggestion to split the bill doesn't go down well.

Crime. This is a definite plus. While I wouldn't want to encourage you to be reckless, I've wandered around China now for four years and never once felt unsafe. Crime rates here, especially against foreigners, are much lower than you are used to. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but I've never felt even slightly anxious about it. I feel less safe in my home town.

Home living. Apartments provided by schools vary. Some are better than others. Some things will be similar everywhere. Baths are almost never included. Showers are always of the wet room type. Kitchens are generally tiny. The fridge will probably be in the living room. They may be quite sparsely furnished. It's the same for everybody, Chinese or foreign.

Well, that's a few of the things you may find different. If I can give one piece of advice it's to come with an open mind. Leave your expectations in storage back home because the chances are that – good or bad – they won't be met. And if you do find that things here are causing you problems – whether it's the culture shock, your school or anything else – talk to someone. Talk to me. Often things arise because of miscommunication or mismatched expectations between the teacher and the school. Those things can be sorted out but it can take a little time and patience.

I'll post again soon with a list of things it's advisable to bring with you and any other differences that occur to me.

And remember, if there is anything specifically you want to know. I can be contacted on the Buckland Facebook group. Just send me a message.

Bob Hale.

(*Yes, I'm aware that Americans spell it persnickity, I'm British and we don't. :D )