China in Auckland.

Obviously you have to get a visa for certain countries and being British you definitely need a visa for China. I am rather proud of the number of stamps and visas stapled and glued into my passport. I am going to be devastated when I have to renew it in a couple of years time. Getting our Chinese visas was not impossible but it gave us a little culture shock.

My new School prepared my paperwork, I had my ridiculously expensive medical and we made sure we had enough passport photos. We headed to the Chinese Embassy in Auckland for the actual visas. Having gone through a similar process for New Zealand, American and Kyrgyz Visas I was expecting it to take all day and be somewhat tedious.

After getting lost courtesy of our slightly old TomTom that decided we wanted to go to the TipTop Bread factory instead we arrived at the Embassy. It was just like any other building in the area. I was actually shocked by the lack of people in the embassy. We took a ticket from a machine and went to the seats in front of the counter which resembled those you see in some banks where the tellers are behind glass with a narrow slit to receive papers. We glanced at our number and the electronic system above the employees and there were only 2 numbers until it was our turn. We were in shock! Within in moments the number changed and they waited about 10 seconds. No one came to the window, so it was onto the next number. Having seen this we readied ourselves to sprint to the front as quickly as possible.

Our number came up and we did our best Usain Bolt impression and made it before they moved to the next number. The man was officious. He said that my work place was wrong that my husband should be getting a different kind of visa to the one requested. Demanding a form we couldn't find and telling us we had filled things out incorrectly and dismissing us with 2 minutes. So, a speedy correction, mild panic and checking everything very carefully we took another ticket and resumed our place in line. Within about 30 seconds we were in front of a different man who was very nice and helpful. The forms were submitted and we were given a hand written receipt (hand written!) and told to return in 4 days.

Not a particularly painful experience at all. On our way out we decided to use the facilities. I think the picture says it all. 

Here we go...

This is my first blog and initially I’m concerned with the usual fears consuming any person; what if they don’t like me? What if my grammar sucks? What if I make a spelling mistake? What if no one reads this? What if they don’t find me funny? So, now you have heard some of my inner monologue you may have a fair idea as to how the rest of this will be written you can make a snap decision to either continue or leave my words unread.

Suzhou Old Town

Why blog? Simple. I’m a 27-year-old British teacher working in New Zealand and I’m moving to Suzhou, China to teach in an international school in 6 months time. I hear good old Facebook is illegal over there and my friend suggested I write a blog and here it is. (If you do not like this blog please blame the previously mentioned friend for their suggestion). I also surfed the World Wide Web looking for information on living in Suzhou and there are the usual expat forums but no blogs…well maybe I didn’t spend that long looking in order to give myself an excuse to write this.

Starting 6 months before leaving may seem like a crazy idea, however since landing this incredible job there has been a certain amount of tossing and turning and lists of all the things that have to be done prior to leaving. In many respects this is also, hopefully, in some ways useful for those teachers who are going down the international route.

My journey began filling out numerous applications for international teaching agencies. All of which were happy to sign me up. Of course they are happy to sign you up. One word. Commission. I didn’t get anywhere until I joined Search Associates. I attended one of their job fairs, got multiple interviews and more than one contract. As with the way of life on returning from the fair I got interview requests from numerous applications I had done myself online and not via any agents. Typical.

The job fair was a great experience and seeing how many contracts were handed out made me wonder if anyone really does get a fair chance or even a job simply going via email applications. One thing that amazed me was the number of incredibly positive and enthusiastic teachers I met. I’ve never seen so many in one room at a time and they genuinely weren’t just enthusiastic about their new salary. There are many types of teacher in the world and you will meet all of them at some point. Sadly I have gone to the trouble of categorising them as follows (yes it is true I am not sleeping well):

Jane Bennett: the teacher who goes around wearing rose tinted glasses and can so no evil in the world and especially not the school.

Mary Poppins: the teacher you love to hate. “Practically perfect in every way.” They can do no wrong.

Victor Meldrew: Moan, moan, moan, moan, moan, moan, moan. Potentially this teacher ended up in the career by accident.

Tigger: Full of energy, enthusiasm for life and often found bouncing off the walls.

Peter Pan: “I don’t ever want to grow up.” The teacher who is down with kids and potentially may do a certain amount of posing just to show how uber cool they are.

The Little Engine That Could: They never give up. Ever. The walls could be tumbling down around them but they are still going for it.

and finally...

Grumpy: It’s in their nature. They just can’t help it. Don’t even try and reason with them. It really isn’t worth it.

Please note the above stereotypes do not necessarily cover all the teachers in the world or all the teachers I have worked with. These are simply my own musings and I mean no offence at all, especially if I have worked with you.

Right, back to the point. I have a contract and I will be leaving New Zealand. My new school will sort my flights, shipping of some of my belongings, airport transfers, temporary accommodation, a housing agent to find new accommodation and visas. What does that leave me to do I hear you ask? Well, checking the legalities of handing in my notice with my union rep (boring, but necessary), selling my house, car, furniture, downsizing considerably, lots of dull financial necessities, organising my Labradoodle’s trip overseas and fielding all those well meaning people’s concerns and fears of my moving my Husband and child replacement (Labradoodle) to China. If you have expressed any concerns, thank you, I do appreciate it, however despite my excitement and optimism this is actually a little scary too. So, I’m absolutely fine if you decide to keep your worries within. Also I’d like to point out that it is far too late for me to change my mind so if you find out that Suzhou is secretly overrun with zombies I’m still going.