One of the final pieces of advice we give our teachers before they fly to China is, “Brace yourself for a bumpy first few weeks!” It’s completely normal for teachers who’ve just arrived in China to feel overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, and even homesick during this time. However, trust us—once you push through those initial weeks, things tend to settle down quickly, and most teachers begin to genuinely enjoy the experience of teaching in China.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the most common reasons why teachers may feel overwhelmed after arriving in China and provide some advice to help ease the transition.
Reasons for Feeling Overwhelmed
Culture Shock
China is a truly unique country, boasting one of the oldest cultures in the world. The way things are done, how people communicate, and the overall lifestyle are vastly different from those in the Western world. As a result, many teachers who move to China experience culture shock upon their arrival. The fast-paced nature of daily life may seem frantic, the communication style might come across as direct, the organisational methods can appear confusing, and the general way of life is often a stark contrast to what teachers are accustomed to in their home countries.
Language Barrier
The majority of teachers who move to China do so without any knowledge of Mandarin. Therefore, it’s not surprising that most will struggle with the language barrier upon arrival. While there are various mobile apps that can be helpful, and a few Mandarin lessons can provide teachers with some basic phrases to make life a bit easier, it does take time to get accustomed to the language.
Initial ‘Life Admin’ Setup
During the first couple of weeks in China, teachers have a fair amount of “life admin” to sort out. This includes getting a SIM card, undergoing a medical check, obtaining a residency permit, opening a bank account, and finding an apartment. The sheer number of tasks that need to be organised upon a teacher’s arrival can make the first week feel especially hectic, as they are constantly on the move, trying to get everything sorted.
Jet Lag
Ah, the dreaded jet lag. Most of us have experienced it before, and it’s almost inevitable when moving to China from countries in significantly different time zones. Most teachers report struggling with jet lag during their first week in China, which isn’t ideal given how busy this period is, as described above.
Apartment Hunting
Moving and apartment hunting is a stressful experience, no matter where you live. Due to the fast-paced environment of Chinese culture, apartment hunting in China can be especially challenging. Teachers searching for an apartment in China should expect to visit several properties in a single day, often over multiple days. Decisions then typically need to be made quickly so that teachers can sign the lease and move in before the apartment is taken off the market.
Starting a New Job
Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking for anyone, regardless of profession or experience level. For teachers moving to China, these nerves can be even more intense. Many teachers who relocate to China are often at the beginning of their teaching careers and may have limited experience. This means they’re not only starting a new job in a field where they are still learning but also adapting to an entirely different work culture found in China.
Loneliness
Although moving abroad can be exhilarating, it can also be quite lonely in the beginning. Most teachers relocating to China do so alone, facing the challenges outlined in this article without the support of friends or family. This situation can lead to feelings of homesickness or isolation, particularly if things aren’t going as planned. Building a social circle and making new friends takes time, and China is no exception to this universal experience.
Advice for Teachers
When you consider everything a teacher faces upon arriving in China, it’s clear that feeling overwhelmed is a completely normal reaction. In fact, it’s impressive if a teacher can manage all of this without experiencing any anxiety or stress. Our advice to all teachers during these initial weeks is simple: “Roll with it!” While it might not seem easy at the time, trust us—life in China gets much better once you’ve made it through the first few weeks.
A few weeks after arriving in China, most teachers will have begun to adjust to the culture shock and will be better able to navigate any miscommunications caused by the language barrier. Additionally, all of the initial “life admin” tasks will have been completed, along with teacher training. By around the third week, most teachers will have moved into their apartments and will be getting familiar with their new surroundings. At this point, they will have also started teaching, which means any nerves about the new job should be starting to ease. Finally, several weeks after arriving, most teachers will have begun to make new friends (both at work and outside of it) and will be building a social life.
If you’re reading this article, you’ve just moved to China, and you’re feeling overwhelmed—just roll with it! Chances are, in a couple of weeks, you’ll be feeling much better!
