China says I'm too old to work here, so a new chapter opens for me
The view from my flat, which I will remember fondly
I realized today that, when I signed up with Steemit 17 days ago, I never really posted an introduction tagged "introduceyourself." Yeah, I was that new, and didn't even RTFM. So, I am correcting that oversight now.
Yesterday I was told that the Chinese university where I have worked for the last eight, almost nine years, cannot renew my contract for the coming school year. It's not their choice, or mine, but a consequence of the government's newly enforced regulations on foreign workers.
At 61, I am too old to work in China, it seems.
It used to be that only the big cities enforced this rule, which seemed to be largely ignored in the rest of China for the sake of expedience. But since Xi Jinping took over as president, it seems every rule and regulation is strictly enforced everywhere, making life difficult for just about everyone.
I came here in 2008 after a long career as a high school physics teacher. I wanted to start a new chapter in my life, and experience once again what it was like to live abroad. (I worked for a year in Pretoria, South Africa, 17 years ago.) Although I came thinking I could always leave after a year if things went poorly, I soon realized I was having more fun teaching English in China than I had teaching physics. And that's saying a lot, because I really enjoyed teaching physics!
What made the difference was the warmth and respect I received from the people here. Western Hunan is still rarely visited by tourists. It's one of the little known parts of China, and Jishou is an even more remote place within Hunan. Getting here takes some effort, but once you settle in and appreciate the warm people (and summers!), the relatively clean air (it's often dusty in dry weather), and the green mountains, the place grows on you.
A teacher's eye view
My students are largely from rural communities in Hunan, but quite a few come from more distant parts of China. Most are the first in their families to attend college, and the weight of that responsibility gives them a certain kind of work ethic we Westerners often lack as students. For the majority, I am their first foreign teacher, even the first foreign person they have had a chance to meet and talk to. So, that means I've had the added responsibility of representing not just the USA, but foreigners in general.
It's been a challenge. I started teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) with no formal preparation. No CELTA, no TEFL, no TESOL certification. China didn't require them in 2008, and largely still doesn't. No one here gave me an ounce of direction. I was handed textbooks and given free rein to run the classes as I liked. My first year was, in my opinion, pretty mediocre. It wasn't a total disaster, but looking back I realize what I did wrong (and right) and what I could have done better.
Ironically, I was considering next year to be my last in China. I could leave after 10 years and make it kind of an anniversary departure. But that decision has been made for me, and the next four weeks will be spent saying hurried goodbyes, packing up my belongings, and yes -- even giving my final exams about two weeks early. The hardest part will be saying goodbye to my students, who don't know yet that I must leave by the end of the month. Since none of them use Steemit, AFAIK, I won't be spilling the beans writing about it here. Had I posted this on my blog, word would soon get around and I think some people's feelings would be hurt that I didn't tell them face to face first.
On the other hand, word spreads fast on the Internet. So we'll see how long the post remains a secret in China.
I got a new classroom last fall. Now I have to leave it behind.
Since I haven't done any planning for a new job, I have to confess I am anxious about the next few months. Will I be able to find a suitable position? Where will it be? Will I enjoy it as much as my earlier teaching posts? This is the only the second time I have been faced with being potentially unemployed since I graduated college eons ago, and I have to say I really don't enjoy the sensation.
In any event, I had already planned to enjoy my summer holiday, so I will see my family a little earlier than expected. I have enough money to live on while I hunt for a new post, as long as my kids are willing to house me. Maybe I can multiply those funds with cryptocurrencies and blogging. I've done OK so far just casually doing both. Maybe I won't need a job and can make enough to semi-retire somewhere.
As they say, as one door closes, another opens. I intend to remain positive and look to the future with open eyes and an open heart. I will try to blog about that journey here, and I hope you will follow me. Should be an interesting ride.
My daughter was teaching english in Myanmar ( old Burma) before going to China to teach. She was most impressed with things there, and they are still in the needy stage. Have a look there for a job, as a sugestion.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into it.
don't u worry any pollution problem ?
Where I live now, the air is quite clean. I am not sure about the city I may be moving to in September.
Air pollution in China is severe in the metropolitan areas, especially Beijing and the northeast during the winter. In the more rural provinces, it's still present in the larger cities, but not as severe.
Crossing my fingers.
All the best, @wheatdogg. If anything, you're even more experienced so sucks to hear about the forced retirement. Maybe the private English schools by any chance?
Nope. It's dangerous to work at a private school on a tourist visa now. Get caught, and they send you home and revoke all future entries into China. People have done it for years though. Now the government is being a real hard-ass about enforcing all the visas.
Anyway, I'm not quite retired, though the idea is lurking in the back of my mind. I'm still a year away from collecting Social Security early, so I've got to make a living for the next year somehow.
Thanks for the encouragement. I seem to have knack for landing on my feet, so we'll see if my luck holds out.
Not too old to work here. Today someone said they were new and only 12 yrs. old. Good for all ages.
Thanks for coming here, and all the best.
Thanks! I think it will all work out fine.
Welcome to Steemit, @wheatdogg
Thanks!
Welcome to Steemit! I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do! :-)
I like it here. Still learning the nuances, though.
its good to have you here my friend . very nice intro post. look forward to more from you
Thank you!
Nice to have you on board! Follow me at https://steemit.com/@bitgeek
Thanks. Will follow.
Wow. Even though you knew it was a possibility, it still seems like it would be a shock to not have your contract renewed. I wonder what the rationale is for the age limit when it comes for foreigners! Sixty doesn't seem old, that's for sure. I hope you find something even better.
Retirement age for Chinese people now is 50 for women and 55 for men, so in that regard foreigners are discriminated against. lol But, the government has decided to raise the retirement ages to 55 and 60, respectively, for Chinese workers, to lessen strain on the younger generations and the economy.
As for the age limit in general, most of the Asian countries don't want older teachers, I suppose because they worry about our health and their responsibility for caring for us in case of emergencies. But I just recently passed this year's physical exams, so health in my case is not the problem. It's that number on my passport -- my DOB.
Thanks for your good wishes.
That's amazing that their economy can support people retiring at 50 and 55. Even 55 and 60 are a lot better than in the US, where retirement age for Social Security is almost 67 now. And some in Congress want to take that up to 70 across the board.
They can do it, because China does not have a universal pension system like Social Security. Only a small percentage of the population (primarily members of the Communist Party, which comprises about 10-20% of the population) are covered by national social networks. Most old-timers depend on their children for housing, food and support. Because most families have at most two children, that puts a lot of strain on the young people, who may have kids of their own to support, especially if grandma and grandpa have medical issues.
It's interesting how every country does their systems differently. And the magnitude of China's issues is mind-boggling to me. Thanks for your insights about it all!
1.4 billion people. Each year, about 90-100 million high school seniors sit the college entrance exam. That's a third of the US population!
Wow! What a challenge for a country and its people. No wonder they are looking for so many teachers.
Nice read. Good luck going through this newly opened door :)
Thanks!