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I'm Moving to Beijing, CHINA!!!

By
Education & Training with Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

 

With the news that China has bumped Japan as the 2nd economic powerhouse in the world, it was time for me to make a decision!  I hadn't looked falling back into my teacher role, after 6 years not teaching, except for some 1 or 2 “supply teaching” short-term jobs here in Canada.  The “supply teaching” jobs are like real estate, sometimes there’s a paycheck close by and other times nothing comes in for weeks or months on end. 

Currently, the real estate market is way down to 21% for the Saint John area and 30% for all of Atlantic Canada.  I still think it’s going through a correction, similar to the ones in the U.S., Europe and other places in the world that were overpriced for their locations.

I started looking at teaching jobs overseas and the U.S. Peace Corp positions.  The local school districts here had NO teaching jobs posted and were extremely difficult to get into, since they tend to hire local residents first.   New Brunswick has an agreement with the Chinese Gov’t to build English speaking school facilities and teach the English speaking business men & women partners and embassy workers’ children in their country. 

I sent them my resume, not really expecting any immediate answer.  One week went by, whereby I received a phone call to interview with the principal at the Canadian International School of Beijing, where ironically she was home based in Saint John.

This is a layout of their school facilities as a virtual tour!   

http://www.cisb.com.cn/page/facilities/school_layout.php

Here's a map of the location of the Canadian Int'l School of Beijing:

http://www.cisb.com.cn/page/contact_us/maps.php

I left thinking this was an opportunity of a lifetime, since I’d be learning & living Mandarin on a 24-hr basis.   There is no better way to learn Mandarin, except for living & breathing Mandarin!  Plus, I could use this when I get back to the real estate business (next year), since many people from China are immigrating to Canada.

 I’d be teaching either 2nd or 4th grade students, with an average of 20 students in the classroom.  They would pay for my room & board and the Chinese government paid my taxes for the year I was there.  The worldly traveler I’ve been since I was an infant kicked in and I took the job…  My New Brunswick Teacher's Certificate was outdated in 2008, but I just received it in the mail.  My teaching endorsements are:  Science, Mathematics, Elementary Education, Special Ed, English, Health & Sociology.  I’ve already taken & passed the physical, blood test and x-rays.  Now, I’m just waiting for the Chinese VISA to come through, whereby, my U.S. passport goes to Ottawa to get okayed and then off I fly to Beijing. 

Being a world traveler since I was an infant, I've always had a passion to live in new locations and really experience the treasures, cultures and new foods a new country has to offer!

I plan to blog about this and possibly write a book about my experiences... To be continued in the very near future…. ;>))

 

 

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Comments (27)

Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

OMG!  Ann-Marie - I am soooooo excited for you. Looking forward to seeing photos, videos, and you sharing this exciting adventure and part of youir life with us all. I really am stoked that you get to do this and that you're able to have a platform like AR to share all this with us. WOOHOO!!!  :-)

Aug 19, 2010 08:34 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Brad,  THANKS!!!  I'll make the AR community proud and hopefully, increase your awareness on China's culture, foods, business & economy!  I'm going to be so busy the next year blogging about it and informing all of you on my travels, experiences & insights....  ;>)))

Aug 19, 2010 04:26 PM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Ann-Marie - Takes Active Rain to China a great way for Active Rain to morph from within (something Bob would really like) What an opportunity!!!

All The Best and make it a great experience

Aug 20, 2010 04:08 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Cathy,  What an innovative title!!!!  I think I'll use that title, if it's okay with you?  I'll begin working on the title for my blog next week, so it has a different look...  I'll be moving there once my Chinese VISA is ready!  THANKS!!!  ;>))

Aug 21, 2010 01:26 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Ann-Marie - Your welcome ..... and yes you can ..... I think it's a great opportunity for you and AR

Aug 21, 2010 02:14 AM
Ken's Home Team LLC. | 360.609.0226 | Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA Real Estate Team
Ken's Home Team LLC. - Vancouver, WA
- SOLD IS OUR FAVORITE 4 LETTER WORD -

that is soo cool...... Congrats!!I wish youlluck on your new path in life!!

Aug 21, 2010 03:11 AM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Hi Ann-Marie - Nee how ma? (This is probably a very poor transliteration.)

You certainly like to live in a variety of countries as I learned when we met in Boston.  Have a lot of fun in China.  I will look forward to reading about your experiences.

Would you be moving back to New Brunswick afterwards or to another city like Toronto or Vancouver to keep up your Mandarin after you return.

 

 

Aug 21, 2010 03:43 AM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Ann-Marie...Good for you, taking a break from real estate to learn and work in another culture and also teach our English...Remember to have fun too, travel in the region and make new friends. Look forward to your posts from China.

Cheers

Aug 21, 2010 03:45 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Kathy, THANKS!!!!  ;>))

Hi Ken,  The new path is only for a year, until the real estate market picks up, which might be 2 years...  ;>))

Hi Marc,  I LOVE to discover new cultures, foods and people.  I probably will learn much in that 1 year in China.  I will be back in NB after the school year ends; May or June 2011.  I'm always open to new adventures, so moving might be an option in the future...  On a ligher side:  I've been driving around town with a CD listening and speaking in very basic Mandarin and laughing as I say it...  I plan on being somewhat proficient in the Mandarin language, otherwise; I'll have to stay an extra year or so... LOL   ;>))

Hi Fred,  I'll be teaching all of the 4th grade curriculum; English, Math, Science, Reading, etc...  I love making new friends and discovering new cultures....  I plan on having a wonderful time while I'm an Ambassador of the U.S. & Canada at the school.  ;>))

Aug 22, 2010 01:29 PM
Stanton Homes
Stanton Homes - New Home Builder - Raleigh, NC
Design/Build Custom Home Builder in North Carolina

I wasn't sure if the blog title was just meant to get some clicks....wow!  What an incredible experience you have coming...

Aug 23, 2010 12:00 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Penny,  Thanks!!!  I plan on changing the title of my blog in the next week!  ;>))

Aug 23, 2010 12:57 AM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi Ann-Marie - That is very exciting!  And just think:  If the market wasn't bad and if you hadn't found nothing available teaching at home, you would never even have thought to apply.  Good luck to you in your exciting new adventure.

Aug 23, 2010 10:27 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Susan,  So true!!!  I had thought about it a few years ago, but I didn't really push it through, this time I'm all in!!!  THANKS!!!   ;>))

Aug 24, 2010 06:58 AM
Kathleen Cooper
Kathleen Cooper, Sposato Realty Group - Worcester, MA
Sposato Realty Group - Broker Owner

Wow!  Had no idea you were going to be moving to China!  What a cool opportunity.  Good luck and best wishes!

Sincerely,

Kathleen 

Aug 25, 2010 04:36 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Kathleen,  I couldn't let this pass by, both my daughters are attending university and we are in the middle of tearing a laundry room down to remodel the kitchen and make it larger.  Plus, I'll also be learning a new language; Mandarin, which will help my real estate business when i get back in July...  THANKS!!!  ;>))

Aug 25, 2010 05:58 AM
Terrie Leighton
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate - Reno, NV
Reno Real Estate Agent ~ Selling Homes in Reno

I completely in awe of you right now! I look forward to following your blog as you experience and teach in your new journey.

Aug 26, 2010 03:38 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Terrie,  I will be blogging here and hopefully, the Chinese Gov't won't ban this website...  I'm very excited about this journey!!!  ;>))

Aug 26, 2010 11:32 AM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Ann-Marie~  I am so excited for you! What an amazing and life altering opportunity!  Let me know how it goes for you!  My husband is in Hong Kong for work on a business trip as we speak!

Sep 16, 2010 03:55 PM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Vickie,  I hope to visit Hong Kong while I'm there.  I don't know if I need another Visa to enter, but I'll find out and let you know!!!  I hope to take it all in while I'm there.  ;>))

Sep 17, 2010 02:16 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Hi Ann-Marie , here is my comment now that I have read where you are and how it started.....I find that change is exhilarating when we make it ourselves unlike when they make it to us than it is debilitating. I traveled all over the world when I was younger and I lived all over western Europe, I have many great memories and I am sure you will trum them with your time in China. Good luck and stay in touch. Have fun too:)))

Nov 01, 2010 02:00 PM