Teaching Jobs in Qingdao, China

I did my TEFL course with the intention of traveling while earning money by teaching English for a year. Although I don't have a degree, I was lucky to find a job teaching in English in Chengdu, China. It was such an amazing experience learning about a new culture, surviving the first months without google based apps and my new environment. Chengdu is a great city and everything was very convenient, especially when you have opened a bank account and get apps like didi (taxi service), taebao (shopping online), alipay (where you can unlock bicycles and pay everything) as well as wechat pay. The transportation systems (metro train and busses) are also very easy to figure out and cheap. What I liked most about this city was how safe it was. The English institute where I taught English was also such a great experience. I had amazing co-workers, Chinese staff and managers I worked with. Everyone is always ready to help out and the Chinese people are very hospitable. Ofcourse there were ups and downs just like in any work environment but the people and living style pays off for any bad that pops up. I made a lot of life long friends and keep in touch with my students till today. I ended up staying for 2 and a half years and it will be an experience I will remember forever.

I've always wanted to live in Asia, but that meant needing a job. I'm not a teacher by trade, but with a degree and some childcare experience I was able to teach. I took the online TEFL course and through their jobs contact, found a few options and countries to teach in. It is not glamorous or easy work, but it is an experience if you're open minded. It's still tough to find things to do in the local community if you're not fluent or if you don't gel with other foriegn teachers. For me the job was secondary to living in Asia. Jobs are available with openings for variety levels of experience and good contacts to help you through the process. It isn't like living at home, but locals are happy to see a foreigner.