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Movie lover. Growing Capoeirista. Space enthusiast. Dedicated craftsman. And best of all, homegrown Los Angeles native. Wait, how in the hell did I end up in China!?
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You can now USE ANY ARTICLE on Don's ESL Adventure for your own blog, website, or magazine! Check out the new page on the menu.
 It’s finally here—you’re leaving China and ain’t coming back. Maybe it’s a new job opportunity. Maybe it’s an emergency or you’re getting married. Or maybe, just maybe, you’ve lived in the country that long and it’s just time to pack your bags and get the hell out before you’re stuck in a void that you feel you can’t escape.
 “5...4...3...2...1, liftoff! We have liftoff!” Ah, music to my ears, and if you’re reading this, probably to yours too, eh? Mankind’s journey into space, from Russia’s launch of the first satellite, to NASA putting a man on the moon, and in today’s world, Space X blasting the first reusable rockets into the upper regions of the atmosphere, has been nothing short of an astonishing feat.
 “Don, what’s the process like teaching English abroad in China? From finding jobs, getting visas, and working at schools, to getting an apartment, traveling ... everything!?”
 It’s been a wild 7+ years teaching English abroad in China—I know, I can’t believe it either. I’ve had ups and downs, highs and lows, experienced the good with the bad, and … yada, yada, yada. Who cares? Look, in the span of those years I’ve come to notice two genuinely important things: One, I don’t know who was/is a cooler president, Barack Obama or Xi Jingping? What do you think? Ah, that’s a tough one. Damnit!
 Somewhere, in some unnamed part of the world, it’s rush hour, and an expat is having a very rough day on the subway. Listen to his thoughts …
 I’ve taken so many local bus tours across China that I’ve lost count. Honestly, as an expat, they’re just one of the best ways to travel and see all the beautiful sights China has to offer, from bustling cityscapes riddled with towering skyscrapers to the most incredible, jaw-dropping natural escapes you just might ever lay eyes on.
 After 7 long years, I’m over it—I’m done teaching English abroad in China. At least, that’s how I’d want it to be.
 Teaching English abroad is one thing, but managing ESL teachers from around the world? Whoa, that’s tough! Me? I served as a manager for 4 out of the 7 years I’ve been teaching overseas in China. Was it challenging? Sure, but don’t be fooled, it was also one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had. Here are 15+ awesome tips for managing ESL instructors while teaching English abroad.
 It's 7:30pm—after hours at the hospital. The Emergency Care is up and running, and there must be hundreds of people moving back and forth between the hallways and corridors.
 Well, well, well, if it ain’t Shanghai, China’s most populous city. It’s home to some 24 million people--registered, that is—spread out over 3,900 sq. meters (1,500 sq. miles) of beautiful, organized chaos.
You're in China, there's a holiday fast approaching, and you have zero clue as to where to spend your next vacation. Shanghai or Beijing? Nope, you've either been before or feel very keen on exploring some offbeat tourist hub you've probably never even heard of. Here's my list of 30+ top things to do and places to visit in China that aren't Shanghai or Beijing.
 It's holiday time in China, you're in Shanghai, and looking for the best attractions and places to visit nearby. I know—you haven't got a clue about where to go, what to see, or what to do. Here's my list of 10+ top things to do and places to see near Shanghai:
 Curious as to how young ESL students celebrate Halloween in China? Although Halloween isn't widely celebrated in China, it is a popular Western holiday observed by most international schools and English training centers across the country. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect on Halloween as an ESL Teacher in China:
 I know what you're thinking: "I wish I could drop everything and quit my dead-end 9 to 5 job to travel across the world, experience different cultures, make new friends, fall in love, gain different perspectives, and rack up a bunch of unique adventures and memorable experiences before settling down and life gets serious."
 While teaching English abroad your inevitably going to encounter disruptive and shy students that will have you thinking twice about this profession you’ve entered. So, to help counter these behavioral problems, I’ve provided some useful techniques that'll help manage your classroom. Let's take a look:
 I think I want to teach English abroad, but just what exactly are the job responsibilities of an ESL teacher? Well, let's see:
 Interviewing for a potential job teaching English overseas overseas? Wait! Before you get to it, check out my 11+ tips that every prospective ESL Teacher should know before doing an interview with an ESL employer.
 You're set. You've finally decided to take a leap of faith and teach English abroad. You know which region of the world you'd like to live and work in, but there's just one quintessential question eating you away: Which ESL job should I choose?
![[STORY] Say Hello to Mr. Good Game | Don's ESL Adventure!](/uploads/1/0/9/3/10931435/img-20161015-012114_orig.jpg) EXT. SHANGHAI - MID-DAY. Upbeat hip hop music. A quick shot of the Lujiazui skyscrapers from the Bund. It’s busy, it’s beautiful, and it’s some of the best-looking weather you’ll ever catch in Shanghai.
 Ok, ok, so you’re in search of an English teaching job in China and have not a single clue as to where to look. Or, you know to hit up the notorious Dave’s ESL Café, but is that really the best website to find English teaching jobs in the country?
 I just love catching Black superheroes (and villains) in action; after all, there’s nothing like seeing someone that looks and speaks like you kicking some a** and taking names. As a kid growing up in the 90’s, powerhouse comic book companies like Marvel and DC Comics introduced me to quite the variety of black superheroes and villains, and they played crucial roles, too.
 Thank God for Seinfeld! Seriously, not only is it my favorite TV series of all time, it's also the greatest show to exit since the dawn of civilization. Facts!
I just might be the luckiest expat in China. After all, over the past 7 years I’ve had the most incredible experiences that I never could have imagined before stepping foot in the country. And truth be told, many of them—scratch that, the majority of them, have actually been ‘first’.
 Ah, Chinese lantern festivals. Sure, you've seen snippets of them in movies, brochures, websites, and may have even visited one or two in your hometown, but have you actually caught one in China? Trust me, they're a million times more of a spectacle on the Mainland than anywhere in the world. Here's what you need to know and can expect at Chinese lantern festivals:
 When it comes to teaching English abroad a lot of people often ask, “Why China?” Why China over more US favorites like Japan and Seoul? Well, it’s simple actually. There were 3 specific reasons why I chose China to teach English abroad.
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4/10/2019
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