Before having a child to handle, my exit was to return to my home country every 6 months and stay there for 3-4 weeks. Then I felt I could brainwash my mind and my heart from whatever I see or hear here.

Now, with a baby in my care, and with little choice in terms of exit (costs are two expensive and not convenient to travel), I just move back home happily with no regrets (except maybe for the few friends my child made here and that he likes very much).

I think your answer depends on why you feel like you should leave. Have you been having more bad china days recently? Or is there something else giving you this feeling?

Personally, I think it is just a normal thing, depending on what type of day or week one has had. Having been here for two years now, I find that the instances are becoming fewer and fewer, as I learn to cope with the inconsistencies and differences from how I was culturally raised. That being said, there are still days when I wonder what I'm doing here.

A way to combat the angst that sometimes hits is for me to remind myself of the goals and aspiration which brought me here in the first place. I wanted to learn traditional Chinese ink painting and calligraphy (which I'm doing), and study the culture in order to write a book (well on it's way), and so I must remind myself of this from time to time as daily living gets to be, well, daily living.

Teaching was the quickest way to do this. Fortunately, I had been involved with education on a collegiate level back in the U.S., so I was able to make the transition seamlessly when I started looking for employment opportunities here.

Along the way, I've met a wonderful woman (who is now my bride), some really great people, who are now a part of my life, and I've learned to take the bad with the good. Society is just that; many people interacting and reacting with and to each other. Some things I agree with, some I don't. Same as other parts of the world.

Over time, one has the tendency to gloss over the bad things back home, and just remember the good things. It's the "grass is greener" syndrome, where we figure, "Wow, think of all the things I'm missing out on" by remaining here. But believe me, after being here for a while, "back home" will never be the same, mainly, because you will not be. It doesn't mean it will be better or worse, just different. When I finally return home to Seattle, there are many things I will miss about living in China. Of course, there are many things I will not miss, also, but I think that is part of paying the price that goes with becoming a multi-cultured person.

Give yourself some time, set some clearly defined objectives, view things (and people) around you with fresh perspective, and some of your reasons for being here may change. Travel around and see the sights. Keep a sense of humor, go with the flow, and enjoy the experience.

In other words, it all is relevant to the frame of mind.

"Is this a normal thing, that happens to everyone here and will just pass?   "

YEP!

You'll probably get past it... might depend on what it is, and whether it's likely to be long lasting, and whether it's focussed on one person or environment, all all things Chinese.

But, what did you leave behind???

Personally, I still love Chinese food! and, really, the life here is good.... I think you know what I mean. And, remember, where are you? The back of nowhere? Find somewhere to go for a while....

Times when you just want to catch the next plane out never go away.  However, the time it takes for that feeling to go away does get shorter and shorter as your 'normal' life will quickly distract you and make the desire to strangle people go away.

At least that is the way it is with some people.  Living in China (or any country not your own) is not for everyone.  It takes a special mindset to live here.  But boards like this do make dealing with the stress a little easier.