One day, searching the internet on a seemingly hopeless and never-ending frantic job search (one of many!), I saw an advertisement for a panda conservation project. I couldn't help but click on the link. The project of course looked amazing but well out of my budget (the none existant one I keep going into!) I decided if I could find the address of the panda centre I could just arrange to go there by myself and whilst leafing through the website to find such information I stumbled upon the i-to-i jobs page. There I saw the ad for 'Overseas leader.' I was on a down concerning jobs and very fed up of writing application letter after application letter only to never hear from people. However I thought why not and quickly typed a very upbeat, friendly application letter, completely against all the application letter guidelines dished out to us. I'd completely forgotten about the application when I got an invitation to a selection day a few weeks later. The selection day was good fun and I loved the atmosphere surrounding i-to-i. I was extremely pleased to be offered the job of Overseas Leader in Xi'an and after the usual wait on work visas etc I was eventually able to get back to China by March.

I now spend my time looking after the volunteers here, maintaining and developing projects. The volunteers so far have been great people. I love visiting the projects especially the pandas and the orphanage (though I have to admit I'm more likely to try to adopt the baby panda!) Was thrown a bit into the deep end when I arrived with government officials trying to close down projects and incountry co-ordinator threatening to quit but all has calmed down now and it makes my job seem worthwhile! Still have to flutter the eyelids at many a stubborn stupid government official putting up a fuss because we want to help people in areas that are 'too poor' for eyes of foreigners but the odd unbearable meal keeps them off our backs for a while! has really been drilled into me just how important 'guanxi' (contacts) are in this country.

Living in 'the volunteer house.' A 2-storey appartement in a nice middle class residential area where all the volunteers stay. Just perfect for me! I get a big house to decorate with many 'Bethany' things, a cleaner to clear them all up and continious company! We have a cook who has become my partner in crime! He knows the answer to everything!

So, I do have the dream job and I love it! I'm not even spending money! Have definitely realised it's best to do a job that makes you happy rather than a job that gives you money. Money's nice but a luxury and it's amazing how much you don't need it when you're doing what you want to do! Though of course I may need some eventually! (any nice rich men reading this...!) just not yet! I would advise any Leeds Chinese dept graduates being driven crazy about the non-existant job market to just get back here!