China in a few sentences? Honestly, anyone who tells you they can “sum up” China or the Chinese in a few sentences honestly just hasn't been here long enough. The China of today is as vast and varied as its five thousand year history or Mongolian grasslands. The stage this dynamic country is at right now is one of a kind. The world's third largest country is changing fast; generation gaps are widening and the cities are booming like you will never see in the West. While you may miss revolutionary parades in the streets or poorly stocked grocery stores, you will see older folks in the park singing age old traditional opera melodies and the neighborhood's new Porsche dealership. I believe that we as English teachers have a truly unique chance to come and experience China at the crossroads. In a few years time there is no doubt that as a truly potent world power and a hugely popular and developed tourist destination, chances like the ones EMW offers to work and live in China will not be nearly as easy to come by.

A mere 10 months after setting foot in the Middle Kingdom I find that I have had so many new opportunities and experiences that it would be truly difficult to begin counting. As a Westerner in China, the adventure comes to you, all you have to do is say yes. If you decide you want to stay in your apartment all day and watch movies (always an option if the adventure becomes a little much), this is certainly an option. However, if you do decide you are ready for something interesting to happen, all it takes is something as simple as a walk in the park and the next thing you know you are eating with a Chinese family and seeing the true sights of the city (as has happened to me on numerous occasions). As a teacher your chances for this are even greater than that of language students or business people due to the wonderful hours and fellow Chinese and foreign teachers that always have something planned or going on and are excited to involve you. In addition, if you decide to make a little effort to learn Chinese (the grammar is similar to English, except simpler) you will find that the already wide spectrum you had before will be opened yet further, but in order to find out how far, you will have to come and see for yourself…

You may say, great, but why choose EMW? As one who has had much contact with English teachers all over China and having heard stories about everything from jobs fallen from heaven to nightmarish affairs, I know full well how wide the spectrum of quality is here. No amount of advice or reading up on the Internet can help you avoid the problems that no one thinks they will have. As an EMW teacher, however, you will have all of the most important aspects of your new life in China already covered, allowing you to focus on teaching and experiencing the enchanting culture. If you don't mind worrying about landlords, rent, utilities, pay fiascoes, random hours, and possible bad personnel issues, then finding a job on your own or going with another company is certainly an option for you. If you want to forget about all of those things and have time to focus on the truly important things here, then without a doubt choose EMW. I am not one to play poster boy for companies or organizations, but I must acknowledge EMW's superior handling of all of the above listed possible situations. I could go on and on, but I will leave it here in saying, carpe diem, seize this quickly disappearing historical window of opportunity and go east!

-Nathan Montgomery (¿×Ï鶫)