Winjeel.Com

English Language Teaching and Learning

Living in Asia

Homesickness: Beating the Blues

Cure: China

If you are living in China, I wish I could say something to help, but I really don't know enough about the conditions and situation there. Please contact us or post questions or stories on the forums and help others.

Travelling and seeing all the sights gets your mind off of your problems. See the country while you can, otherwise you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Get a camera and get into recording the country through your eyes. China is a great place with lots of images that are so different to your home country, so record them. Here is a picture of Guangxi in China, I so dearly wish I could go there and get this one myself.

However, learning a little Mandarin or Cantonese can help a lot. It sounds obvious, but for no apparent reason. Learning even a little of the local language does wonders as there's no greater compliment you can offer to them. It shows to them that you are willing to learn about them and their country, and that you don't think that it is a one-way affair: you merely imparting English and it's baggage upon them.

There is such a concept as 'linguistic imperialism'. This is where the English speaking countries attempt to dominate the world by enforcing our language upon them. I personally don't believe this is the case. But I have had new teachers try to enforce our culture, values and ideals on their students. Usually the students DON'T appreciate this kind of imperialisation.

However, learning their language does counter this notion of 'linguistic imperialisation', or as I see it, 'cultural imperialisation'.

Prozac, a popular anti-depressant, may possibly be available in the country, you could ask for it, saying that it helps you control your migraines (and it actually does; and especially since their understanding of mental health quite minimal, be sure you chose a reliable doctor to go to). Do consider getting a prescription for it for a while, just to help you through.

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Caution: Apparently local visa issuing officials commit age discrimination. Don't rely on being able to update or being able to change your visa.

japan, korea, taiwan, asia, homesick