I had met some English teachers during my stay and enjoyed being in Yichang so much that I decided I would come back to teach. I though Yichang was a great city and the Chinese people I met during my stay were warm, wonderful, friendly people.

   The work I had been doing in Australia was in the field of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and company training. So although I wasn’t new to teaching, I hadn’t taught teenagers in a classroom situation. I had already gained 3 teaching qualifications during my working years but I decided to obtain a TESOL international teaching license as well, to give me a little more insight into teaching school students a 2nd language.

   When I arrived in Yichang the second time, I was greeted by the vice principal and teacher in charge of foreign affairs at Gezhouba Senior High School (formerly No. 6 Middle School). My time at Gezhouba was a great experience. I was welcomed and treated with much respect by all the teachers and students. I taught grade one students and helped other students practice their English during ‘English corner’. I was also invited to join in concerts and other activities at the school. I shared an office with the Chinese English teachers so we could help each other and discuss problems. The teachers became my friends and I had a wonderful 2 semesters working closely with them. We had many dinners together and on weekends we would go hiking and site seeing at some of the countless beautiful places around Yichang.

   At the end of my contract I traveled back to Australia for the summer holidays with my fiancé, Zou Lixin (Coco), whom I had met briefly on my first trip to China while on holidays. She lived in Shenzhen and was also on holidays in Yichang at the time. We had kept in touch as friends via the internet and when I arrived back in China our relationship blossomed.

   I had been really looking forward to seeing my family again and having them meet Coco but after only a couple of weeks I was missing Yichang and all that delicious Chinese food! 

   On my return to China I am now working for a new company and teaching at No.1 Senior High School. This is a very nice school with beautiful gardens and facilities for students. I am working with a wonderful team of foreign teachers who are highly motivated and dedicated to helping Chinese students improve their English language skills.

   I am convinced that I would like to stay in China and live in Yichang for many years to come. So much so that I have bought an apartment overlooking one of my favourite places, the river. And Coco and I have recently married.