job interviews

I already had two interviews at other schools this week. The one I went to yesterday, Web International, was a little bit like KaiEn, but slightly more relaxed and computer based. I was not too excited when the director told me about it and I still don't think it's the best fit for me. If it's the only place that will hire me, I will take it. Also, I don't think the interview went exactly as I would have liked. It wasn't terrible, but I still felt a little too inexperienced for this place. The one I interviewed today, English First was the best fit for me. I thought that interview went fantastic! And she seemed to really like me in the interview. We talked for quite a while and got along great! She told me about the positions available; which I will be teaching kids, ages from 6-18. Also, she said that EF hires inexperienced and younger teachers a lot and they will fully work me with me to get me comfortable and part of the school. Initially I will work through a 12-week induction program as part of the contract and then fully teach after that. They said that they will also see me through in getting my work/residence visa, getting an apartment, health insurance and setting up a bank account. Plus, they are paying me more than KaiEn was!

So, I'm definitely looking forward to working at this school! In my opinion, I think teaching kids are better for my experience level because they would be more eager than adults who have come to class after a long day at work; and kids are more receptive to language than adults. Also, I would have more fun with kids and I can take them out on field trips and applying English outside of the classroom! EF is better for those who rather just teach English for a year, while KaiEn was more career teachers. EF also provides great networking around the world, with centers in the United States! And it looks great on a resume! Even after my year in China, I could easily transfer to another teaching center somewhere else in the world; this school has centers on every continent. Maybe, I can go to Africa! I've always wanted to go to Africa for teaching English or some kind of volunteer work. Ok, now I'm just getting ahead of myself. Let's make sure I have this job for real. In two days, I am going back to the school and meeting with the Director of Studies who will give me full details about the job and the induction. I'm so excited!

Now onto other things. I have moved out of the hotel that KaiEn has provided for me into a hostel in the downtown area. This hostel is better for me than the hotel because the hotel had no restaurant or bar; therefore, no way to socialize. I was bored out of my mind in that hotel. But this hostel is full of Europeans and some Chinese and there is a restaurant/bar and a lounge. I've talked to a few people and I am definitely not bored here. Plus, it's right downtown and it saves me money that I can walk everywhere rather than having to pay for transportation.

This being my 9th day in Shanghai, I am learning something new about China everyday. Remember the girls that I had become friends with and took me to a traditional Chinese tea ceremony? I was reading in my Shanghai travel planner and it turns out that the tea ceremonies are a scam to get more money out of travellers. Now I feel stupid. Friends they were. Right. Oh well, at least I know now. When I first realized that, I felt really dumbfounded but at the same time I kind of found it amusing. Now I can warn people about "friends" wanting to take you to a tea ceremony. From now on, I do not count on making friends from people who just approach me on the street. Maybe, really I should have known better, but who would question young, single Chinese girls? I'm not making friends unless I'm in a decent situation, such as at work or meeting people in the apartments. People that I can easily get to know without spending all kinds of money.

Also, the Chinese do not believe in having toilet paper in bathrooms. How do they wipe themselves? I don't want to think, it's too gross. But seriously, don't they get that it's not sanitary. Now, I carry a roll of toilet paper in my purse. Seriously. I actually had to search for it in convenience stores and supermarkets. Also, in the stores, I don't really see deodrants or shaving materials. I've noticed that a lot of the Chinese smell. I'm in a hostel now and my first night, I shared a room with a older Chinese man who REEKED. God, it was hard to breathe in that room. But the shaving, I'm a little confused about. A lot of the Chinese men are clean shaven and the women do not have hair on their legs. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.

I have found some English bookstores, since I can't watch TV on the Chinese Communist-censored internet, I might read novels. Of course, being in a Communist country, certain books are banned. Oh, freedom. I do miss freedom. But at the same time, I'm looking forward to this experience of being in a Communist country as it will make me more well-rounded and have a better outlook on life.