LUNGILE HADEBE
Achiever of the week: Lungile Hadebe
Feb 11, 2021 | By Nqobile Mdima
This week’s feature is Lungile Nokuthula Hadebe. Lungile is from South Africa. She holds a BA in Development Studies. She obtained her degree from UNIZULU. Lungile did not receive any job offer in her home country after graduating, as a result she started seeking opportunities abroad. She had heard so many stories about China especially about the Chinese culture and had a desire to experience it. She got a temporary job from KFC to start saving up for her adventure. She managed to obtain her TEFL certificate from Global Tefl, authenticate her documents and apply for her flight. Her family didn't take her seriously until she showed them her flight ticket. Her family showed her support after proving she's serious and they made sure that her dream to move abroad comes true. Lungile doesn't regret moving to China. The opportunity to teach in China has enabled her to do so much for her family including building a new house for her parents within a short space of time. Lungile loves hanging out with her friends trying new food, going to karaoke and having mini vacations in her coastal city, Weihai.
Lungile shares with us her TEFL journey, what she likes and dislikes about TEFL, her highlights, her expat lifehacks and advice to people interested to move abroad.
What made you decide to work abroad?
Unemployment and to experience new things: a different kind of environment, a different culture and so on.
I’ve heard so many stories about China, especially about their culture. I wanted to experience all that. On my death bed I will share good stories and good memories about China.
Why did you choose to move to China?
1. It’s so easy to save when you are working in China.
2. It’s affordable to live here.
3. There are so many opportunities here. You can learn a new skill and do something on the side like turning your passion into a side hustle. I always tell my friends that if they want to have a business, start now while you have income. When it fails, you will have time and income to fix the business. More people are into logistics and some have online and offline boutiques. You can do whatever that works for you.
Where did you apply for jobs?
Wechat ID: RT-Smiley
Moving abroad can be quite expensive, did you pay for all the costs yourself? How long did it take you to save for this big move?
Yes, it’s expensive. I was unemployed and undecided about coming to China, but I knew that I had to do it at the end of the day because things were bad financially. I managed to do my documents with the little money I received from government (grant) 😂. I started with the Police clearance application because it’s cheap and I knew it will take longer to get it back. That was 2018 December.
My parents didn’t know about my plan since I just had a baby that time. So every month I would fix one document. First the police clearance. Then in January I applied for my passport 2019. Luckily I got a job at KFC 😃, so I knew that I will work just to save enough money to go to China. The payment was good because I managed to fix my documents within two months of working there.
I started with the interviews, Using Wechat. English is not my Home Language, so I had to improve and practice the “ American accent” and I did. I’m not shy about that.
So I received an offer, my documents were ready and I was still working. Then I called a meeting at home around June. I told them that I received a job offer. My dad responded by saying ''as long as it’s not far from home'' . I asked him what he meant by that. He said “He said you can go anywhere as long as it’s not Johannesburg''. I had to explain that the offer was from China, but they didn’t take it serious up until I told them that I’ve bought the flight ticket. It was then clear that I’m really going to China. It was a dream. I took a loan from my sister to buy the flight ticket and I didn’t have any doubts that ''it might not work out”. I was very positive. So I left home on the 21st of June and I arrived here on the 24th of June 2019. My family was so supportive even though they were scared. I’m grateful. They made it possible for me.
Do you regret moving to China?
The experience is great. China is amazing. You must be open-minded and be willing to learn.
I don’t regret coming here. I’ve done so much for my family ever since I started teaching here. They’re proud. My sister and I have built a big house for our parents. We had a mud house and being here in China made it possible to build a new house together with my sister within a short space of time.
What do you wish you knew before moving to China?
1. You must get used to living alone and know how to deal with loneliness.
2. It's not easy to find Western food. When you find it, It's expensive.
3. The importance of buying enough medicine and cosmetics for one year.
4. Savings. The importance of saving for emergencies. Save at least enough money that will help you to go back home. Then you can start to do your stuff like building at home and other stuff.
5. Living allowance when you arrive here. You must have enough money that you will use on your first month up until you get paid.
How do you overcome homesickness and loneliness?
That one is hard since I left my son back home. He was 1 year and 3 months when I came here. Now he is three years. I doubt he will recognize me when I return home, lol. But Video calls are the best for helping me check on him and I ask my family to share pictures all the time.
How many cities have you visited in China so far?
Only three cities because of COVID 19. I’m scared to go to other provinces since there’s COVID 19. Maybe after the pandemic I will travel more and see other places. I was hoping to travel this year in February during winter holidays, but since corona is unpredictable I can’t travel.
What do you do for fun in Weihai?
- Karaoke
- Eating out
- Mini vacations with friends
- Trying new food
What would you recommend as the best hacks that have been helpful to you?
Be positive and open-minded all the time. Focus on the good and remember why you came to China.
Which APPs have been valuable to you ever since you moved to China?
1. Wechat
2. Alipay
3. Google translate
4. VPN
5. Badoo ( just kidding )
What do you like and dislike about TEFL?
What I like:
1. I love playing with kids while teaching. I get to bond with them.
2. Teaching English is hard, but when you see the results or if you hear them trying to make the conversation with you in English, You feel motivated to do more.
3. You don’t take the work home hahaha. But I love learning the phonic sounds after work because they teach differently. As the foreign teacher you have to adapt and be willing to learn.
What I dislike:
1.Language barrier.
Please list advantages and disadvantages about living in Weihai city?
Advantages:
- We have the sea.
- It's a 3rd tier city, it’s clean and the prices are not bad.
Disadvantages:
- The weather is unpredictable.
- It’s rare to see black people. Unlike in other big cities.
What advice would you give to someone considering to move abroad, especially in China?
- Do it ! You will look back and thank yourself.
- Come to China when you want to, don’t come here because someone else is here. You must be strong emotionally and be willing to be alone. Most people struggle when they are alone, they don’t know what to do with themselves. Then they face depression in a foreign country.
- Be willing to learn.
