Finally in China!

So far my time in China has been very warm. The people of Harbin are very welcoming and helpful to foreigners who barely or do not at all speak the language. For example there is a lady downstairs from my apartment who owns a nice little convenience store speaks zero English, but she has been my go to girl for all my basic necessities. On that note the people I work with at the school are also very helpful when it comes to taking me places or helping order food and keeping familiar with the city.

Yesterday I taught my first class of students, I will admit I was extremely nervous but once I was in the class room it was easier than I thought and went very smoothly teaching the students. Than on my way home a guy stopped me and was trying to ask me for directions, looks up and we both smile at each other than start laughing when he notices I don't speak the Chinese or speak very little of it LOL

The weather here in Harbin so pretty hot, a little humid and rainy similar to weather in Toronto. One thing I was told about was how cold it gets here from the people I work with and other foreigners I've met so far. Coldest temperature is around -25 to -30 in the mid winter months, and as crazy as that may seem Toronto used to be the way years ago when I was kid. I look forward to the winter months for the Harbin Ice Festival that happens here. I've seen pictures and videos of it and it is marvelous sight, plus the ski resort looks like a place I might check out.

Flight Booked YYZ > HRB

Flight has finally been booked! Leaving out May 18th for my 24hr journey to Harbin, China. I will be teaching English to elementary school kids, and also getting the chance explore the country and learn about the culture, plus my attempts at the language so good luck to me on that!
During my stay in China I will be visiting a few of my friends whom are also from Toronto, Canada in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and also in Hong Kong. Apart from that I will be visiting the land down under where I will also be visiting a few friends of mine so stay tuned for more to come!

Working Visa √, Next the Flight

Finally my work visa has been fully processed and picked up as of 04/21/16. Next step on my list to check flights going to my city in China that doesn't cost a ridiculous amount of money, and from that send a copy of my flight plan to my employer in China so that they can meet me at the airport and bring me to my temporary residence until my permanent residence is ready for me to move into.

There is someone I must thank for all this especially the motivation to take such a large step in my life. Her name is Kaila and she also has a travel blog called Restless Feet you must check out. She was previously at the same school that I am going to and has since returned home to Toronto about two weeks ago, and has told me good things about this country. Simply interacting with her from time to time online and watching her YouTube channel it helped me gain the perspective needed to make this big decision to fly half way around the world to not only start a new chapter in my life but, to also help make a difference in the world plus some good travel destinations.

Working Visa Processed 🙌

Finally great success after 2 long hours of waiting in the Travel Visa office. The work visa I require to enter China to work and explore has finally been processed, so all I need to do now is go back Downtown Toronto on Thursday afternoon April 21st to pick up my travel documents and from that point contact my employer at the school in China where I'll be working and book my long 23hr (If I am lucky. Fingers crossed.) flight to Harbin, China.

Everything at this point is in motion and right on track no hiccups. I personally cannot wait to start this rewarding experience to make a difference in the world.

Work Visa & Invitation Letter to China

Work Visa & Invitation Letter: China

As some of you may have seen on my Instagram page, I have finally received my invitation letter to begin Teaching in China for the next year. This will be a rewarding experience to learn first hand about Chinese culture, also alongside of that I will be sharing my knowledge of the English language with young children in elementary school. Helping them gain a better understanding of the language and providing them with the opportunity to help out their community, city, country and most of all their family because the English language is a universal tool that can benefit anybody with dreams of going abroad for work, school or travel.

During my stay in China I will be posting regular updates on new customs and simply daily life in the city I will be living in. Also life in each city I am able to visit during my stay in China for the next year. Although I will be living alone and abroad for the next year I actually have friends who live in the country and also a friend in Hong Kong.

Cities I hope to be visiting will be Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin & Guangzhou. So please stay tuned for more updates here and also on my;

• website: www.ehbroad.com
• Instagram: @EhBroad
• Twitter: @Ehbroad
• Personal IG: @JahThaCeo

First Post aka Intro to me!

Welcome to the EhBroad Blog. My name is Jaleel Foster I am 24 years old and I fell in love with travelling since 2007, when I visited my families home country of Jamaica.
 The name EhBroad is a play on words, slang word "Eh" pronounced as "A" and then removing the "A" off "Abroad" making "EhBroad" short and simple easy to remember, plus it shows my Canadian heritage!

I am huge fan of spontaneous adventure and all cultures this world has to offer. Growing up in one of the most diverse cities in the world Toronto, ON, Canada it has shown me that their is more to life everywhere you look. The cool about Toronto for those who cannot travel all the time or at all, can provide the option of travelling through stories and images passed down through generations of people who immigrated to Canada or those who have done a fair amount of travelling in their lives. Like I said Toronto is a very diverse city we have Little Italy, China Town, Greek Town, Little Portgual and many more. Simply visiting these little nest eggs of the city you can come across pretty much all walks and cultures of life, for example food, clothing, music, language and different customs that each culture has to offer.

Having these experiences growing since I was kid even up to know has continuously pushed me to continue to engage in cultures locally in my city and of worldwide. Locally you get the taste of the culture and what it has to offer, so for me I need the full cultural experience and authenticity of each culture. So these are only some of the reasons I choose to travel and personally I don't see myself stopping anytime soon.

One last thing I encourage everyone to be more involved their communities, outside their comfort and most of all as crazy as this sounds simply talk to strangers from time to time. Just these basic tasks alone can put you on the path to be more worldly and aware that there is always more in life than what you or I may think about anything or anywhere.