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| JUFE Canadian teacher speaks up | ||
| My name is Steven Andreasen I am a Canadian living and working in China. I am now four months into my third year of employment as an English teacher at the Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics located in Nanchang City, Jiangxi, Province China. First, I would like to start by addressing the negative comments that were made by the so called "Josh Adams". The reason I say "the so called" is because there has never been a Josh Adams employed at JUFE, however there was someone employed here who is using that name to remain anonymous. I know this because he told me himself that he would use the name Josh Adams in order to hide his true identity from the school. Why is it important for this person to use a fake name? Why, for fear of reprisal that's why. You see, if he used his real name people like myself would be able to comment on specific facts that would refute his claims and more importantly it would reveal to others who know him, such as his present employer, things that he would not want anyone to know about himself. I know about these things he spoke of because he told me and my wife many things while he thought I was in his camp. It might seem to you that I am a fan of the Chinese, and that I am one of those, "you know" You either like them or hate them kind of people, but the fact of the matter is that I am neither of the two. It is true that I myself have had my share of troubles here at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics but these troubles were mostly brought about, due to my poor ability to deal in a reasonable way with the staff in the FAO or anyone else that might happen to get on my bad side. In my defense I would like to say that I suffered from what is commonly known as Culture Shock. If you have never read anything about this subject and you are about to embark on a journey to live and work in a country that is vastly different from that of your own, I strongly suggest that you do, in order to help prepare yourself for the many annoyances that could mean nothing or everything to you. After all we are not “cookie cutter people” we are all different and thus handle situations in different ways. The fact of the matter is most people do not suffer from the affects of Culture Shock as severely as I have. Imagine if you will, waking up every day to fits of anger at even the smallest trivial event, at thinking of an entire race of people as inferior. I thought this way, not at first, but as time went on I began to change and change for the worse. The school is not to blame for my bad behavior the illness "Culture Shock" is to blame. The staff in the F.A.O. here are just like any other staff in any other country and they are only human and makes mistakes just like all of us have, do and will. In their defense I would like to say that they have put up with a lot of crap from me, more than any other employer would, or should have. In fact I don't think they have ever had as much trouble from anyone as they have from me. Having said that, here I am, for my third year in a row. Contrary to the bad posting that I am responding to I would like to say that this school is by far one of the best schools in China and without hesitation I highly recommend JUFE to anyone who wishes to further enhance their lives. Feel free to contact me anytime by e-mail. Once I feel you are sincere I will be happy to give you my telephone number so you can speak with me directly. Steven Andreasen December 31st 2004 steveteachesinchina@hotmail.com Toronto, Canada |