General health concerns are always something to look our for when entering into a new country. Despite advances in recent years, China is no exception. Staying healthy while in China is a constant process and one always needs to be on alert.

Street Food

Be cautious. Food that goes directly from the wok or grill to you is generally safe; food that sits cold for a long time or is served on poorly washed dishes is more risky. Peel fruit or wash it very carefully and ensure that all vegetables are well cooked. When eating out, you can feel confident in a restaurant that is large, busy, or expensive. One needs to worry about the street vendors. While the food is often delicious be cautious of quality and hygiene.

Water

Boil your water before drinking or simply use bottled water. In all but the most remote areas Chinese boil all water before drinking it, so water served to you is usually ok. Brushing your teeth in boiled water is also recommended.

Dehydration

In your new environment, you will be stimulated by many things and may not think about the basics, like drinking plenty of water. As you get adjusted to your surroundings and start to develop a routine for yourself, be sure to drink plenty of water. It sounds obvious, but you would be surprised how dehydrated you can become when your mind is attending to other things. In hot weather especially, you should make it a habit to carry a bottle of water around with you.

Diarrhea

If you get diarrhea (which is almost inevitable for most new teachers who arrive in a different country) try only eating bland food like starches. Make sure you don't get dehydrated. If it goes on for more than a day without showing signs of improving, or if it becomes chronic, see a doctor. Someone from your center will usually be happy to accompany you.

Also, it may be a good idea to carry toilet paper with you, as many public bathrooms do not provide any.

Click the links for more information on living in China and ideas on how to get to China. http://www.englishfirst.com/trt/teaching-english-in-china.html