I was born in Macau but raised in the UK. Growing up I didn’t care too much for Chinese culture. I grew up happily immersing myself into British way of life and did not take time to consider my heritage. It wasn’t until my later years that my curiosity developed into an obsession. I had previously visited China in 2012 for my 2-week summer vacation, visiting Beijing, Wuhan and Xian. It was a truly amazing experience but I couldn’t help but feel dissatisfied upon my return to England. I had only experienced the tip of the iceberg but now I had to find a way to see what was truly below the surface. How was I going to do it? Well the answer came in the form of Teaching.

      Fast forward to August 2013. I was on my way to the city, which I would call home for the next 10 months. I had never heard of Shijiazhuang prior to my arrival and though I managed to find some information on the Internet, I was none the wiser about what to expect. At a glance Shijiazhuang has the same characteristics as any other Chinese city. Traffic jams, high population, pollution, high-rise buildings and an array of apartment blocks dotted around the city. However beneath the city smog there is a sincere charm to this place. From the sprawling markets lurking in every community, the pop up dance classes under the evening moon or the over-whelming variety of restaurants and street food vendors. The people too are ever so welcoming and always willing to try to speak a little of what English they know.

     Having only been in Shijiazhuang now for 2 months, I am starting to feel very much at home. I’ve made great friends and the school is a pleasure to teach in. The staff and students are all very welcoming and they are as intrigued about you, as you are about them.  Though some lessons don’t always go to plan, the students are always engaging and receptive. Yes there are a few disruptive kids and they may be noisy but they show the utmost respect to you as a teacher. This is something I truly admire about the Chinese students along with their tenacity and willingness to learn.

      The highlight of my time here so far was definitely my break away in Shanghai. Shanghai is a metropolis compared to Shijiazhuang, with a towering horizon of commercial buildings. Spending my week here took away any creeping feeling I may have had of being home sick. Shanghai felt like a Western City, everything from the way people drove their cars, to the French concession district, and the high number of foreign ex-pats and visitors. Saying that, Shanghai does not overshadow my time here in Shijiazhuang.

      Looking back I’m glad I came here not really knowing what to expect as it allowed me to become more open minded, to accept some of the negative things in China but more importantly appreciate every wonderment China offers me each day. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning Chinese and enjoying the laughs that come with putting it into practice. Overall I can’t help but begin to appreciate the simple things in life, which I would have taken for granted in the UK. Just being here for a short period of time, I’ve noticed my outlook on life is slowing changing but I feel for the better. Hopefully reconciling with my heritage that I once neglected as a child.

      If I had to explain my time here in China in a few sentences I would describe it as a fairy tale. A story about a man who fell in love with a girl named China. She captured his heart with her all beauty and charm and though they may have encountered a number wicked people along the way, they managed to live happily ever after. Ok, so I don’t know whether this story will have a happy ending but having only just read the first few pages I have a feeling that my time here in China will be a magical and everlasting experience.

Me and Dan on the Bund in Shanghai