So, you might have noticed I’ve been a bit quiet lately. I wanted to finally address a question I’ve been getting a lot: Why did I leave China, and why am I not planning on going back anytime soon?
Let’s rewind a bit. I finished my contract in China last July. There was an opportunity to extend, but I decided to decline. I was looking for a better remuneration package, and at the time, it seemed like there were plenty of job opportunities in the market. I wanted to see if I was truly passionate about education and, honestly, earned a salary that was better than my previous package. I would consistently find that my salary was significantly lower than that of my peers.
Therefore, I decided to take a leap of faith, and believed that God had something better in store for me. I started looking for new opportunities in China, but it was much harder than I anticipated. Getting interviews was tough, and when I did, the salary offers were ridiculously low. It felt like a step backward, and I knew I deserved better.
Finally, in August, I got three job offers in one week! Two were in Shenzhen and Wuhan, respectively, and one was in Yiwu. Despite some red flags, I prayed about it and decided to move forward as it met most of the things on my check list.
The Red Flags Started Waving
The interview process itself was a bit strange. It felt more like they were telling me I was hired than actually interviewing me. I also had to record multiple videos: an introductory lesson/ Demo and a personal introduction for parents and students. The school offered on-campus housing for teachers, which was a huge relief, as rental costs in China are steep. I thought it was a sign from God, but boy, was I wrong.
Once I arrived, the red flags multiplied.
- Misleading Job Advertisement: The agent advertised a higher salary than what we ultimately agreed upon.
- The “Replacement” Teacher: They told me they needed someone quickly to replace a Russian teacher who couldn’t make it. This raised questions about how a non-native English speaker was hired in the first place.
- Unpaid Travel and Moving Expenses: I financed my own travel from Shanghai to Yiwu, including moving my belongings.
- Sunday Start Date: We were expected to start work on a Sunday, which felt odd.
- Non-Native Speaker Majority: Out of about 20 teachers, most were non-native English speakers.
- “Hide From Inspectors” Policy: We were told that inspectors could come at any time, and we might have to hide or stay home. This was a huge red flag for me.
- Illegal Work Contract: This was the final straw. I discovered that my colleagues had signed contracts stating they were grade four teachers,But were actually teaching kindergarten. In China, your work permit must match your job description. This meant we were working illegally.
I immediately went to HR, who dismissed my concerns, saying no one had ever been arrested. But for me, the thought of working illegally was unbearable. I couldn’t sleep at night and ultimately, knew I had to leave.
I gave them a week to rectify the situation, but they didn’t take me seriously. I booked the next available flight and left China that Saturday. I don’t regret it for a second. The peace of mind I gained was priceless.
Looking Forward
For a week or two, I was sad about leaving. I had planned to stay in China for at least two more years. I loved the people and the friendships I made. I still recommend China as a place to teach abroad, but you need to be strong-willed and stand your ground.
I’m currently back home in South Africa and focusing on my entrepreneurial ventures. Mainly, Hone Shop (check it out on my YouTube!), Simple Influence, and Global Ville. I’m also involved in several other projects, all in their early stages. I’m excited about the future and trusting God to guide me.
Questions and Answers
If you have any questions about my experience in China, please leave them in the comments below. I’ll do my best to answer them.
A Few Notes:
- I’m currently not following the job market in China, so I can’t provide updates on but you can follow the likes of Sbahle Mkhize and Tisa who are still in China and have regular Vlogs that showcase their life in China.
- I miss the people and the place, but not the work environment.
- I won’t be returning to China within the next two years for personal reasons.
Thank you for reading! May God bless you all.
Testing the comment section