Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time βto make the official blog πannouncementπ£ – I’m moving again! Β I’ll be staying here in ChinaπΊ, but after 3 years in central Henan I’m going North. Way north. As in Arctic Circle β level north! Β
We will be moving to a city called Changchun in the province of Jilin. Β For those of you living in China, it’s up by Harbin – land of the ice sculptures. For those of you who have no idea what those words even mean – it’s up in the arm of China that is surrounded by Mongolia (great! Horses π΄!), SiberiaΒ (Brrrrrrπ), and North Korea (0_0)ββ. Β
See the blue circle in the map up there? That’s Changchun. Β I’m moving clear up to the land of Winter Olympicsβ·πβΈ, Forests with wild Bears π»Β and Tigers, and Deer Antler soup. π΅Β Craziness I tell you!
No, actually it looks like it will be really nice. Β πΒ The university π«Β is called NorthEast Normal (NENU) and I will be working with the joint program with Rutgers University π«. Β I will be teaching EconomicsΒ πΉ and International Business πΒ this semester. Β Economics and maybe some other classes next semester. The hours are a bit more than at my current university, but the pay is better, the students are of a higher academic quality (1st tier univ. instead of 4th tier univ.), I get most of the same benefitsπͺ, and it’s a new adventure π·Β awaiting me!
I was delighted to find out that one of my students and good friends π(Simon and his girlfriend Alice) live about 15 minutes away from my school. They are moving home and already invited me to BBQ. Β Such a relief to have someone in the area! Β I have two studentsπ©π© from Mongolia that I am hoping to get a chance to visit, and the train goes from Changchun directly to Moscowπ! Β πΒ Course it takes a week one way, but still – I think I can get up to see Russia. Β Not taking time to see North Korea βΒ – I’m sure it’s lovely, but not my cup of tea. Still, that’s a lot of new open doors πͺΒ waiting to be checked out! Β π
I’ll keep you up to date on the details as I go. Β My schedule π this week is insane. Β Tomorrow I leave at 7:30 for the city (one hour) to get a Physical π·done (surprise! wasn’t expecting this – just found out this afternoon). Then on from there a 3 hour trip to Beijing π (+ 1.5 hour subway ride to my stop) for some government paperwork on Wednesday. Β Then back to school π«so I can give Final Exams on Thursday. Friday, back to the city to pick up my physical π₯results. Back to school π«to grade and get signatures. Β Then on Saturday, entering grades into the computer. Sunday off to Changchun βto get all my paperwork complete. Monday back to school π«to pack and get ready. Β It’s a wild ride, but I am so excited to welcome the new year!Β
Tags: Asia, Changchun, China, ESL, Jilin, Moving, New Home, Teacher, Teaching, Teaching Abroad, Teaching in China, Travel
Deceptively Blonde 