Stanton V1: A Tale (1848)

Beyond the China Sea reveals remarkable features about China and also recounts strange and unfamiliar situations that most Western people will never encounter or experience. Like everyone, I strive to achieve goals, conquer fears and even set challenges that can sometimes be viewed as impossible. At age forty-four, suddenly unemployed, the opportunity of becoming an English teacher and traveling alone to a small city in Central China became that challenge. Although the experience was both fascinating and rewarding, it was also intimidating and mind-boggling. While language barriers are major obstacles for many foreigners, adjusting to culture shock proves to be much more difficult. Keeping an open mind is the best way to overcome those obstacles.