As China continues to rise as an economic power, citizens are taking stock of the new skill sets their children will require. Despite the surplus of human capital domestically, the wealthiest parents are looking to educate their children using American teachers, which could serve as an even heavier strain on understaffed schools as more candidates look abroad for opportunities.
Many Chinese start-ups seek to address the change in education methods driven by the country’s cultural evolution and, in doing so, are pointing their funds toward recruiting American and Canadian teachers who offer not only native fluency in English but a more relaxed and fluid learning environment that has traditionally been forsaken by Chinese educators.
Opportunities such as the one below may not offer teachers a living wage, but web lessons in the aggregate might not only exceed an American teacher’s salary, especially in public schools, but offer both less time commitment and more flexibility as well.
Consultancy group iResearch reports that online language lessons in China were a $4.5 billion business last year, and that number is expected to grow in the near future as the trend legitimizes and start-up services become even more prevalent.
It’s also been reported that Chinese parents spend seven times as much as American ones do on private tutoring, suggesting that the current teacher shortage in America could reach epidemic levels if the trends abroad continue their current trajectories. That supposition also doesn’t account for the desire of many Chinese education start-ups to become not just domestic operations, but global ones, increasing the demand for English-speaking teachers even more.
Salvation from this looming issue could arise from the fact that while Chinese online education companies are willing to pay for American teachers, their standards for employment and qualifications sought are often far lower than those in the United States, meaning that a less-qualified pool of candidates — teachers in a somewhat lesser sense — could emerge, mitigating the damage done to the U.S. supply of more qualified educators.
However, if the opportunities continue to become more lucrative, even overqualified teachers could make the transition to focusing their talents abroad, leaving American schools scrambling to find bodies for classrooms wherever they may find them.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.