First Impressions - Tom Hume

Having visited China every two or three years since 1995 (the last time in 2003) I assumed I would be somewhat immune to any culture shock. It turns out that I had forgot how different China can be! Living in a new country certainly brings up its surprises and challenges, but it is all an experience and, most of all, interesting. I have been placed on campus in a the University of Xiangtan in Hunan province, which is around an hour away from the provincial capital, Changsha.

Many of the locals want to practice their English and will stop you in the street, chat, and ask for your phone number in order to be friends and practice their language skills. Almost everyone I have met have been extremely friendly. Most people will go completely out of their way to help you, possibly because you are a Westerner, and believe me, not many people have seen one before!

I have gotten used to the stares when you walk down the street, go into a shop or do any daily activity and I think this has prepared me very well for teaching. Instead of a few dozen pairs of curious eyes on the street, you have a class full of eager and curious students. Teaching is certainly an experience. I'm not going to pretend that every class is utterly fantastic (even at university you have the odd handful of apathetic students) but most are fun and rewarding: especially when you get the feeling that they are progressing and understanding you!

The accommodation here is fantastic- we have brand new flats equipped with a new PCs, air conditioners and a kitchens with all mod cons. However, as the food here is so cheap (an meal in an average restaurant on campus is around 6 Yuan- or 50p), the latter seems to go unused. Food is generally is extremely hot and spicy- in the UK I was thoroughly in the bland food camp but after a few (painful) introductions the hot food surprisingly seems to taste fantastic and I can't imagine returning to the blandness of traditional UK food! However there is one food that has to be smelled to be believed: stinky tofu. The putrid smell puts most foreigners off, but if you can brave the odour then it is not as bad as it tastes (which is not a fantastic review for food…). I will not describe it here for fear of putting other travellers off!

All in all, my first impressions are very positive- TEIC have been very helpful in the university placement and any questions or requests have been dealt with swiftly. I would thoroughly recommend such an experience to anyone who has an interest in China, likes travelling and being abroad, or just wants to experience something new and exciting!

If you have any questions (including about stinky tofu) feel free to contact me at tomhume89@gmail.com