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We have been living in Suzhou for nearly 6 years and are extremely happy to be here. We recently became parents in 2021 and have found the transition from party people to parenthood a breeze. This is mainly because of the support from XJTLU, and Suzhou being such a family friendly place.

Suzhou is a vast city with a relatively modest expat community, but it has everything you need for a good social and family life. There are numerous groups you can join for trips and entertainment while the food choices and night spots are plentiful. If you ever get bored in Suzhou and fancy a change of pace, Shanghai is very close with its bustling markets, streets, famous sights, museums, nightlife, and of course, Disneyland! Having said that, one thing that makes Suzhou so appealing is the relative space and calmness of daily life in comparison! Not to mention the much lower cost of living especially accommodation, food, and children’s education.

We joined XJTLU after successfully interviewing at TESOL Arabia 2016. First and foremost, the compensation package is incredibly competitive, which gives us financial freedom to live our best life and financial security for our future. Our salary has increased annually in response to both inflation and personal performance. Couples who work at XJTLU both receive annual allowances, so our housing budget is great which allows us to live comfortably and bring up our daughter in the perfect environment. We also benefit from a children’s education allowance, travel allowance, and fantastic healthcare insurance. 

In addition, teaching at XJTLU is enjoyable! Students are respectful and eager to learn, so classroom management is minimal, and you can focus on being your best self. The School of Languages is huge, so you are constantly meeting new people within the department and across the campus. Being such a large center presents regular opportunities for professional development, and leadership roles are available on a regular basis. The working environment for teachers is great with a newly refurbished building for Year 1 students, and chilled out common areas with coffee and printing facilities readily available.