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Free culture trips are one of the many non-monetary benefits of working at #SiasUniversity. And free really does mean free. Meals, hotels, transportation, and admission tickets are all provided. The administration offers these overnight trips each semester to help foreign teachers learn about the history and culture of Henan province. It's a great opportunity to bond with fellow teachers, as well as an easy way to get comfortable with travelling in China. 🇨🇳🧳📸 Some people travel for the history, others for the sights, and others for the food. What kind of traveller are you? #whynotchina #roadtrip #travelabroad #travelgirl #friendswhoarefamily #chinaexpat #livetotravel #streetfoid #expatlife #travelbuddies #travelgram
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#fridayintroduction from @laurenwalker1965 Moving to China had never once crossed my mind until about a year ago. I had returned to the US in August after traveling to 11 countries in 11 months with @theworldrace. By November, I was looking for a new opportunity to go back overseas. I wanted another adventure, while doing something that I thought was meaningful and purposeful. But I had no clue exactly where I wanted to go or what I would do, so I hit up internet job boards to look for some opportunities that might interest me. After a little searching, I happened upon a website called Academics in Asia. And for whatever reason, I had never thought about teaching English abroad until that very moment. The opportunity to see someplace new, be paid for working a real job, but still have enough time to explore and invest in the people that live here seemed too good to be true! BUT it isn’t—that’s exactly what I’ve found here at Sias! And I’m thrilled to be here and so thankful for all of the things that come with joining this unique community.⠀ ⠀ #fridayintroductions #toogoodtobetrue #theworldrace #SiasUniversity #whynotchina #whynotyou #travelgirl #socialgood #dogood #adventureseeker #wanderlust #teachabroad #teachoverseas #iteachtoo #academicsinasia #lifeinchina #expatlife #bestofbothworlds
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👨👩👧👦 Families of Sias Families are an integral part of Sias culture. Many of our teachers either started a family in China or came to Sias with young children. With Sias' relaxed workload, many parents say they enjoy significantly more time with their children while living here in China than they could in their home country. The foreign teacher apartment building (Peter Hall) offers apartments of various sizes to accommodate different families. The children enjoy playing together in communal areas such as the lobby or back garden of Peter Hall. Children can even attend the primary school at Sias with Chinese children their own age! The third-culture-kid (TCK) experience can foster cultural understanding, communication skills, and empathy. For myself (@izbiss), being born in South Korea gave me the confidence to move to China in my mid-twenties. What about you? Did you grow up as a TCK? Did your parents hold a passport in one country and an address in another? What challenges and benefits helped to shape you in your adult life? #tck #thirdculturekid #whynotchina #expatkids #lifeoverseas #expatlife #lifeinchina #SiasUniversity
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Twas’ #culture week here at Sias. Discovering the traditional #Chinese games, #Kungfu and #handicraft arts. The perks of working #abroad #whynotchina #teachabroad @academicsinasia Reposted from @gwilickers_ Thanks for sharing highlights from #chinaday Grant! #SiasUniversity #cultureweek2019 #lifeoverseas #expatlife #lifeinchina #workingabroad
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📷🏆Photo Contest Winner—Our Community category⠀ ⠀ I am so thankful for the great community of teachers and students that we have here at #siasuniversity. Being at a hospital in China was never in my 'To Experience in China' list, but I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received during my exposure to hospital life in China.⠀ ⠀ Congratulations Hanzel! We wish you a speedy recovery! @hanzel_eve⠀ #whynotchina #ourcommunity #friendswhoarefamily #community #expatcommunity #teachabroad #tefl #tesol #teachinchina #teachabroad
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#fridayintroduction from @madelainepeters Since the beginning of my first year of college, I knew I wanted to eventually teach and live overseas. Throughout my degree, I would hear graduates from my program talk about the wonderful adventures they had while teaching overseas. I mostly pictured myself working in Europe or taking a year to work in Canada after I graduated. I honestly never thought I would move to China, but it has proven to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.⠀ ⠀ During my last year of college, I began seriously thinking about where I should teach after graduation. I was open to just about anything. I met with my professor and he informed me about Sias University. The opportunity almost seemed too good to be true and it checked all my boxes: teaching adults, room and board, a built-in community, and of course, gaining valuable work experience in an academic setting. It was the perfect fit for me and I applied for the position and didn’t look back!⠀ ⠀ I’ve been living in China for almost two months now and I couldn’t be happier. Every day is a new experience and something to look forward to. I have enjoyed connecting with my students as that is a very important part of teaching for me! There are also many lovely people who work here and I’m so thankful for the friends I have made. I’m excited to see where this year takes me!⠀ ⠀ #teachoverseas #liveoverseas #siasuniversity #movetochina #toogoodtobetrue #workexperience #whynotchina #whynotyou #getpaidtogo #teachabroad #expatlife #lifeinchina #expatlife #expatcommunity #friendswhoarefamily #teachersmakeadifference #efl #tesol #tefl #englishteacher #fridayintroductions #proudtobeateacher #teachersofig #Iteachtoo #educator #edmajor #youcandohardthings #gofarther
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Those pictures were all taken in Zhengzhou before and after my surgery. I am so thankful for the great community of teachers and students that we have here at #SiasUniversity. Being at a hospital in China was never in my TO EXPERIENCE IN CHINA list, but I’m grateful for all the the support I’ve received (including the ones I’ve received from other people not in the photos) during my exposure to hospital life in China 😁 Thanks for sharing your experience @hanzel_eve! Feel better soon! #whynotchina #liveoverseas #ourcommunity #community #communitysupport #aia #lifeinchina #friendswhoarefamily #expatdiaries #youcangofar
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#aia #fridayintroductions 🇨🇳👩🏫 ⠀ ⠀ Hello everyone! I'm JaNae, a first-year teacher at #SiasUniversity in Henan, China.⠀ ⠀ China was not in my plan a year ago. However, I was contacted by Academics in Asia and was given an offer to come teach in China. So I accepted and am now teaching Oral English to college sophomores. It’s been two weeks since I arrived in China and I’m still learning so many crucial survival skills. My first week of teaching was a little rocky. I had to balance teaching and #cultureshock at the same time. From finding where to buy toilet paper to figuring out how to use a VPN, there are many things that I learn every day on this beautiful campus that I never thought I’d have to learn. Despite the differences, I have loved every one and every moment that has crossed my rocky road. Slowly but surely I will be able to pave a few rocks and get a handle of how China does things. ⠀ ⠀ I've already learned that living in China is always a Trust but Verify kinda thing. Or at least that’s the phrase that’s used. It means to trust what they say but always verify or follow-up as time passes. Things change quickly here so we always have to confirm that something will happen the way it was agreed it would happen. China is a fast-developing country and things today might change a bit tomorrow.⠀ ⠀ How is your Friday? Have you been making some unexpected adjustments this week?⠀ ⠀ —Contributed by @hagniae⠀ ⠀ #trustbutverify #livingabroad #lifeoverseas #teachinchina #englishteacher #thriveinchina #whynotchina #culturedifferences #crosscultural #teachersmakeadifference #liveonpurpose #fridayintroduction #chinalife #ilovesias #ilovechina #survivalskills #community #reallife # learnasyougo
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It's Friday night in China, which means two things. 1) the first week of classes are over! 🎉and 2) It's time for a #fridayintroduction! 👋🏻⠀ ⠀ Please welcome @cj.swartz.7, one of our newest additions to the foreign community at Sias. This isn't CJ's first time in China, however. Recently he taught at different school elsewhere in China, but he had an unpleasant experience with the administration and returned to the States after six months. ⠀ ⠀ But China has a strong pull, even for those who lived here and left. When a former college buddy told CJ about the great support system and community that Sias offers, CJ quickly applied and was offered a position—teaching an academic class to college sophomores. We're grateful that CJ gave #chinalife another chance and joined our #community here. We asked CJ to share the difference between Sias and his first #chinaexperience.⠀ ⠀ My first trip to China was MUCH less organized, and I was in culture shock very quickly because I had to rely on the experience of people who had only been there a year or two longer than me (besides the Chinese staff I worked with). Misinterpretations between Chinese staff and American volunteers were very common. Also, having to pay for your own utilities and all your food was a challenge, especially since I was paid less there than I am here (at Sias). Overall my time [there] was a ton of fun. I got out several times and saw some cool stuff. But the resources available to me there were limited in comparison to here where there is a whole welcome team and people to help each step of the way. When you're not feeling on your own with everything, you feel more confident.⠀ ⠀ #confidence #sias #whynotchina #teachoverseas #livingabroad #expatlife #lifeinchina #teachinchina #eflteacher #efl #englishteacher #teachersmakeadifference #supportsystem #community #lifeonpurpose #getpaidtogo
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First day of class is almost upon us, so it's about time for a #fridayintroduction. I'm Elizabeth Martowski, the Social Media Coordinator for Academics in Asia. I'm also an #eflteacher at #SiasUniversity, and I'll be starting my second year of teaching next week! Honestly I never imagined I'd be a teacher, but when my husband-to-be jokingly suggested we take teaching jobs in China after the wedding, my answer was why not? In the months preceding our marriage, we had been reading biographies of people who lived fearlessly and challenged the status quo. So instead of asking why should we leave the States? we were asking why should we stay? And that's how #whynotchina was born. When I arrived in China to teach English, I was also offered a position with Academics in Asia working on their social media (based on my graphic design and marketing background). I love to share my story as well as the stories of all the amazing people that make up our #Sias community. Periodically over the year I'll be doing more #fridayintroductions, spotlighting some of the people who are #teachingabroad and truly #thrivinginchina. Bonus facts: 1. I was born in Seoul, South Korea and lived there until I was about 4 years old. My parents lived there for 7 years while my father taught English at an international school. Maybe living internationally runs in my family! 2. I have been married for 1 year to my husband Terrance. In fact, we landed in China exactly 2 months after our wedding day. Sias has been the BEST place to start a marriage, because of all the time we have had to invest in each other. All that change at once was haaaaard. But worth it. 3. I have found my favorite meal in China, and it's actually Korean food. 🤦 (Maybe not surprising considering Fact #1.) There is a fabulous Korean restaurant across the street from Sias, and their cheesy ramen is LIFE. If you come to Sias, hit me up and we'll go to lunch. I'll use any excuse to get those cheesy spicy noodles. Got questions about living and teaching in China? Shoot us a DM! And follow my personal account at @izbiss! #teachinchina #englishteacher #challengethestatusquo #empowerment #seetheworld #community
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Last night we celebrated the closing of another school year. The All-Faculty Party was a poignant time of fellowship. We recognized outstanding teachers and said tearful farewells to dear friends. Will you be part of our Sias family next year? #SiasUniversity #sias #teachoverseas #teachenglishabroad #workfamily #community #expatcommunity #neversaygoodbye #seeyoulater #expatsinchina #expatexperience #thriving #whynotchina #thrivingexpat
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Sports Days was a welcome break for students (and teachers) to enjoy sun and fresh air before diving into midterms this week. The students never get tired of seeing and cheering for the foreign staff. Can you see yourself in the laowai (foreigner) parade next year? Check the link in our bio to see if you qualify for one of our open positions! • #sias #SiasUniversity #sportsday #getoutside #midtermbreak #hitthebooks #teachersneeded #teachersneedabreak #bodyandmind #getactive #getmoving #marchingband #parade #laowai
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Teaching overseas sounds great, but... where will I live? At Sias, the simple answer is Peter Hall. With provided housing (read: free rent) and utilities, we can feel pretty spoiled here sometimes. Do you have questions about what it means to actually live at Sias University? Shoot us a message or drop a comment! And for the details on foreign teacher housing, check out our latest blog! • #homeawayfromhome #providedhousing #freerent #freeutilities #liveinchina #liveoverseas #englishteacher #expatlife #reallifeexpat #furnishedapartments #sospoiled #sias #siasuniversity #whynotchina
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New post by @wanderwoman_kat72 There are always health concerns when moving to a new place. Will I be able to find a good doctor? What about my current medical needs—will I be able to find medicine for them there? For most of my life, I have had migraines. When I was in the U.S., I had become accustomed to taking precautions to make sure I had as few migraines as possible. This had been as effective as I could manage for at least the past five or six years. When I moved to China, I kept up my routine. However, I began to get daily migraines around late October and November. As time went on, I discovered a correlation between my migraines and the air quality of the day. After learning that the air quality would cause me to have migraines, I tried to become proactive on that front as well. Unfortunately, you can't fix the air and you can't stop breathing. All you can do is mitigate the effects. Many local people do this by using surgical masks to breathe through when they're outside. I use a mask that is made for fine air particles that can cause health problems (like affecting migraines). I also have an air purifier in my apartment that runs non-stop. There are some things that you can't change about the place you live, but you can protect yourself from the effects. #healthyhappylife #breatheeasy #breatheinbreathout #masktheproblem #healthylifestyle #expathealth #expatlife #surgicalmask #facemaskselfie #doitforhealth #takecareofyourself #whynotchina #expatadventures #teachingoverseas #traveltheworld #lifeabroad #livingthelife #livingthedream #chinatravel #chinaexpats #chinaorbust #expatsdoitbetter
![It's Friday night in China, which means two things. 1) the first week of classes are over! 🎉and 2) It's time for a #fridayintroduction! 👋🏻⠀
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Please welcome @cj.swartz.7, one of our newest additions to the foreign community at Sias. This isn't CJ's first time in China, however. Recently he taught at different school elsewhere in China, but he had an unpleasant experience with the administration and returned to the States after six months. ⠀
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But China has a strong pull, even for those who lived here and left. When a former college buddy told CJ about the great support system and community that Sias offers, CJ quickly applied and was offered a position—teaching an academic class to college sophomores. We're grateful that CJ gave #chinalife another chance and joined our #community here. We asked CJ to share the difference between Sias and his first #chinaexperience.⠀
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My first trip to China was MUCH less organized, and I was in culture shock very quickly because I had to rely on the experience of people who had only been there a year or two longer than me (besides the Chinese staff I worked with). Misinterpretations between Chinese staff and American volunteers were very common. Also, having to pay for your own utilities and all your food was a challenge, especially since I was paid less there than I am here (at Sias). Overall my time [there] was a ton of fun. I got out several times and saw some cool stuff. But the resources available to me there were limited in comparison to here where there is a whole welcome team and people to help each step of the way. When you're not feeling on your own with everything, you feel more confident.⠀
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#confidence #sias #whynotchina #teachoverseas #livingabroad #expatlife #lifeinchina #teachinchina #eflteacher #efl #englishteacher #teachersmakeadifference #supportsystem #community #lifeonpurpose #getpaidtogo](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s640x640/70314514_1344008565781043_7594078084840430503_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&oh=da2841735c44532a069d9167bf97c173&oe=5E6A2C92)
