Gap Year in China: Interview with Huw
Man in Beijing
Taking a year out after high school? Sounds like a smart idea to me.
Huw is one 19-year old with the right idea: rather than launching into tertiary education, he's stepping out into the world on a year-long trip to China and back. From his home in the United Kingdom, he travelled east through Europe on the Trans-Siberian Railway, eventually arriving in Beijing a few weeks ago. To help fund his Gap Year, he's teaching English.
TravelBlogs caught up with him to find out more about his Gap Year in China.
Why did you decide to take a Gap Year instead of launching straight into higher education?
I've pretty much always wanted to have a year out, but the plan has kind of evolved over time. Originally I think the idea of a whole year with no school, work or general responsibility just sounded great. Eventually I woke up to the idea it might be a good time travel, having relatively few ties to home. More recently I signed up for a degree course in International Relations, so it made a lot of sense to get out there and see the world first.
In the end it was a big muddle of reasons but really it's been a long standing dream.
What made you choose China?
I was looking for a bit of cultural deep end. Asia excited me, if nothing else because it's so far from home! What sold me on China was the idea that it's going to be the world's next superpower. If it goes on as is, it'll end up playing a massive role in the world. I can't think of a better country to try and understand, especially as the place seems to be changing so quickly at the moment. Rumours of really great food didn't hurt either...
How difficult is it to find work as an English teacher in China?
There seem to be A LOT of jobs going. I think the real difficulty is filtering out the good ones. I had lots of good advice from friends who'd taught before. It helps that China is a massive country, with a huge population and that it's rapidly modernising, odds are good someone wants to learn. The Beijing Olympics are a big help too. It seems everyone here is trying to brush up before 2008 and demand for native speakers is huge.
But still, I haven't actually started teaching yet, so the jury is still out on it really!
Is this the first time you've travelled on your own?
I've had a couple weeks away on trips at home and some family holidays, but yeah, that's always been with others. So this is all still new territory.
Does travelling on your own become lonely? If so, how do you deal with that?
Huw's trip so far
You have highs and lows, and language barriers don't always help. Finding yourself suddenly surrounded by people who don't speak the language can seem like a real blow. But by the same token trying to communicate regardless can lead to some hilarious conversations. Fortunately, so far there's been far more highs and its definitely worth it for the freedom you gain.
But to be honest I rarely feel like I'm traveling alone. You tend to pick people up along the way, especially on routes like the Trans-Siberian. There's always someone going your way. As a final (slightly guilty) fall back, there's the Internet too. It's so easy to stay in touch and getting a nice email or blog comment can help turn around a bad day.
What have been some of the highlights of your trip so far?
It's a cliché to say I know... But there really have been so many. My day out on Kronstadt Island near St Petersburg definitely ranks high. I went diving in and out of derelict buildings and behind the facades of old cathedrals with a Russian friend. I could babble for ages about the beautiful Lake Baikal in Siberia, and the last couple of weeks with friends in and out of Mongolian Gers and hiking the Great Wall have just been fantastic.
But I think it's the small stuff that really makes the trip. Sooner or later you're bound to find yourself off the beaten track having some random personal experience that you just won't find in Lonely Planet.
What are you most excited about doing/seeing this year?
Definitely looking forward to exploring China more. I've been promised lots of holiday from teaching so hopefully I'll try and have a few weeks in some of the other regions. Really hankering after a visit to Tibet. I've also got a fairly dismal track record when it comes to learning languages, so if I can pick up any Mandarin at all out here it'd be a great bonus!
And then of course I've gotta find another cross land route home...
Check out Huw's blog, Gone East, to keep track of his adventures this year.
