Monkey Abroad

Author: Kevin Cook

  • Leave America to Gain a New Perspective

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    Kevin Cook
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    Leave America to gain a new perspective in a foreign country. It’s a bit extreme, but the idea of it creates clarity of mind – knowing that in a few weeks, everything familiar will end. Renowned French author Marcel Proust said, “Just think of how many projects, travels, love affairs, studies, it – our life – hides…

  • The Privileged Life of an American Living in Asia

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    Kevin Cook
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    If you’re an American living in the United States, I’m sorry, but you probably aren’t using your nationality to its fullest potential. Sure, you get to honor the flag during baseball games, barbecue hotdogs on the 4th of July and express your loud political opinion. But ultimately, the best way to celebrate your Americanism is…

  • 7 Reasons Why I Love Teaching College ESL in China

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    Kevin Cook
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    After a tedious breakup with my old teaching job, I got my new Chinese residence permit and I’m finally legit. Now I can legally say that I teach ESL at a college in Rizhao, and I love it. Although changing jobs was a logistical nightmare, here are 7 reasons why the grass is greener on…

  • 6 Reasons Why I Quit my ESL Training Center Job

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    Kevin Cook
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    I taught a semester of ESL at a public high school in Thailand and loved it. After that I wanted to try something different, so I made the transition to teaching at an ESL training center in China. Big mistake. Moving to China to teach ESL was a good choice, but signing up to teach…

  • So I Quit My Language Center Job in China: Part 2

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    Kevin Cook
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    So it turns out that I still work for the language center. I tried my best to quit, but within the confines of Chinese law, I couldn’t have my cake and eat it too… yet. This is about compromising, and my employer agreed to meet me in the middle. It’s a long story so I’ll…

  • So I Quit My Language Center Job in China

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    Kevin Cook
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    Earlier this week I put in a week’s notice of resignation from my English language training center in Rizhao, Shandong, China. Before I’m labeled as a no-good, rotten quitter, let me explain… Why I quit I get along very well with the staff, teachers and my superiors. The school pays on time, provided a stellar…

  • 5 Things I Miss About Thailand

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    Kevin Cook
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    Less than a month in China and I’m already sobbing over the things I miss about Thailand. I mean, it was my home for nearly 6 months. Attachment was inevitable. If you’ve ever lived in Thailand, you get it. 1. Fork and Spoon In Thailand people double wield the fork and spoon when they eat.…

  • Traveling for $20 A Day: Sihanoukville, Cambodia – Ep 11

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    Kevin Cook
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    We visit SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia – including my own private ensuite in a hostel, loads of cool Cambodian food and street food, a gym workout, a lot of water, and a ridiculous amount of beer and whiskey – all for 20 bucks! Even though it rained off and on throughout the day (it’s the rainy season),…

  • Grilled Squid on a Stick in Shandong, China 铁板鱿鱼

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    Kevin Cook
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    Chinese vendor cooks grilled squid on the beach in Weihai, Shandong, China. I love Chinese street food, but this is Chinese BEACH food! Feel the sand under your feet and the salty sea breeze in your hair as you enjoy this short video about cooking and eating squid on a stick. Since I still had…

  • Day in The Life of a Mandarin Language Student in China

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    Kevin Cook
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    My daily life as a Mandarin student in Yangshuo, Guilin, China: I wake up around 7:30am, eat 肠粉 (rice noodle roll) for breakfast, do my homework & self study, eat lunch in the school cafeteria, then go to class from 2pm to 4:35pm. After class, I go explore a massive cave near school, and finish…