Living in Shaolin Temple

"I'm going to live and train in the Shaolin temple for a few years!"

You're out of your mind.

Besides, it won't happen. Most of the monks don't live in the temple anymore, why should you? And besides, you wouldn't want to live there anyway.

My recommendation, to people who write me about going there to train with the monks for periods of years on end, is, go, and have a good time. Just don't go for a few years. Make it a month or two. Get a feel for the place, for the people, for the training. For the lifestyle. And, for the toilets. Then decide where your future lies with all of this.  A slow and educated decision about a major step like this is much better than a rash one. You'll get a better experience from it all if you make it a lifelong commitment.