Why Jishou?

This is a question the resident foreign teacher's often mull over.
What exactly brought us here?
It's scary how often we find that we're pretty sure none of us knew where we were going (geographically);
but we're pretty sure we know why we came - to China at least.

We came for adventure, travel, the chance to do something worthwhile; some of us consciously came to teach ESL because that's something we enjoy - a challenge to be met.
None of us came to get rich! There are other places in the world where ESL jobs are much more lucrative.

Did any of us know XiangXi; about ethnic minorities;
how remote Jishou really is; what life would be like without coffee, cheese, pizza and wine?
At the moment the answer is clear - A RESOUNDING NO!

But on June 12, 2004, as the spring semester winds down we are unanimous in our opinion that teaching here is a great experience.
We love the students;
we are frustrated by some cross cultural issues;
Jishou is the back-of-beyond;
and we're glad we came!