I just got word today that (pending some medical tests) I’ve been accepted to extend my Peace Corps service in China, where I will be teaching university level English!
Wow!
I’ll be leaving here May 30th, spending a month eating nachos in America, and then flying off into the great unknown.
I’m excited- I love the idea of learning Mandarin, teaching at university and living in one of the most exciting countries around at this time. I like that I’ll be somewhere a bit more developed, and I’ll have so much to learn. There are actually two of us from Cameroon going to China, so that will be cool.
I’m worried about the world’s biggest case of culture shock. I’m not sure how much worse it gets than Cameroon to China. In Cameroon, there is one train. And every time I get on it, I see someone I know. I know everyone in my town. I am one of the most important people in town. I live in a house made of mud. In China, nothing will be at all like that.
I’m also worried about learning Mandarin. And about the sheer size and amount of history there is in the country I’m about to walk into. Even thinking about going back to America is overwhelming. I can only begin to process going to China.
Any words or advice? What do professional women wear in China? I’ve spent the last two years in muumuus with pictures of toasters on them (no joke.) and I think it’s going to be an adjustment.
I would recommend reading the book Foreign Babes in Beijing by Rachel DeWoskin. I literally just finished it. She started a job in Beijing right out of college in '95 or so and while doing that, was approached to be a star in a Chinese TV miniseries called, well, the same as the book title.
The book really focuses on what she learned living in China and how it was changing massively on an economic and cultural scale while she was there. It might give you some insight on what you may see…
I taught English in China in the Peace Corps - China I, baby! If you have any questions, let me know. I was in Nanchong at the North Sichuan Medical College. I’m not sure if that post still exists (or if China even exists as I remember it) but I’d be happy to share my experience.
When I was there, women (like myself) were expected to dress conservatively. For class, I always wore long skirts. As for learning Mandarin, it’s definitely easier to learn in-country. I am pretty challenged when it comes to languages so I usually took a student with me if I needed to do anything complicated.
Hon, that’s great. I’ve really enjoyed hearing about your adventures around the world. I’d also like to add, going solely by your posts, you sound like a completely different person than you were three years ago. A much happier person.
I think you’re neat for experiencing all this at such a young age (you’re young to me), and truth be told I’m a bit jealous, even though I know you face enormous challenges with your work.
Wow, congratulations! I know nothing at all about China, but it sounds like it will be a fantastic experience. (And like drpepper, I really enjoy reading your posts.)
How wonderful for you! China’s an awesome place, I’m told.
I got through talking to my campus’s Peace Corps recruiter just yesterday, and I’m still pretty excited about it. So, now, I’m hitting up all the returned volunteers I know (kind of a lot at my university, surprisingly enough), and reading as much as I can. I figure, I have a year to decide whether to do this thing or not. But you seem like you’re having the time of your life, and I’m so excited for you!
That is awesome with a capital A! You’ll be sure to link us to pics of Cameroon, yes? Assuming you have some. If you don’t, that’s ok too. You weren’t there as a tourist, after all.
That is fantastic news and I am intensely jealous. I fell deeply in love with China during my much too short visit there. And I agree with drpepper concerning the (apparent) change in your outlook on life----you seem to be much more excited and positive than you were a short while ago. Way to go.
Where are you going to be? That will determine some of this.
Business formal definately would work in the University environment. I’d go with that but you could probably get away with Business informal wear as well. You can get tailor made clothes pretty cheaply in China.
don’t sweat it - Chinese will go out of their way to make you feel welcome.
All PCVs in China are in one, relatively small area. I’m not sure exactly what that entails, but I’ve arranged a pen pal project between my 5th graders and the students of China PCV, and she’s working in Lanzhou. So…around there.
I mentioned this in another thread, but three volunteers in my group will be joining sven in China! We got an email a few months ago saying that PC China was looking for experienced transfers. At this rate, they’re going to have a lot of people with some really interesting and varied experiences. Very cool.
Seems like Peace Corp china is in Northern sichuan/Gansu province. Extremely interesting area. Not sure if the Tibet issues are going to impact this at all since the Tibetan border areas where there was unrest is here. There’s a lot of cool stuff to go experience in this general area. There is beautiful country and nomad lands around there.
EvenSven, if you’ve got the place, I can give you more information.