Job Discussion Forums

[El Jefe]

Hello. I've been reading the posts here off and on for a while, though I haven't frequented this branch much lately. I've read most of the often cited threads about university jobs, and I'm pretty certain that's the route I'll take when I make the jump. I know the search function gets screwy and I didn't find much when I googled, so I apologize in advance for the perceived sense of laziness on my part for asking the following questions. Brevity in response will do just fine. For clarity purposes, I'm considering universities in Zhuhai, Xiamen, and a couple others with warmer climates. I have a college degree, two plus years of teaching experience, no teaching qualifications, but I'm willing to take the risk and fall back on a mill or a different country if things don't work out university-wise. To the point.

1) I don't recall reading much about university schedules, beyond the actual teaching hours. They likely vary greatly, I'm sure, but any day to day information regarding hours on location, general responsibilities, extra stuff I may be excluding etc., would be appreciated.

2) From what I understand, or misunderstand, (some, many, most, almost all?) universities provide housing, as in, they determine where you will live. On/off campus, near campus, or what? What's the chance that I will have a choice in the matter?

3) Nothing to do with jobs, but I take heartburn medicine (Pariet) here in Asia. Anyone know if there will be a problem getting that, or a similar drug, prescribed to me in China. I'm sure it won't be, but I just wanted to check.

Appreciate any replies in advance.

[Ariadne]

I've always lived quite close to my classes so anytime there isn't a scheduled class I head to my apartment. I've never had office hours but some places might require an hour or two a week. Some schools do require FTs to attend a certain number of English Corners, but that's usually noted in the contract. You will probably be asked to judge some speech contests or to attend some dinners. Schedules vary, of course, but I've been lucky to have 4 day work weeks quite often. FTs are usually not asked to teach classes on Saturdays unless it's for a make up class because of a just past or upcoming holiday.

I've only lived in provided housing on campus. Some schools will offer a housing allowance if you want to live off campus but some will only do that if there is no housing available on campus. I think it's convenient to live on campus. Just be sure that you won't have to share with anyone. Some schools pay for utilities, some don't. Some pay for some utilities but not all.

12-18 hours seems to be the general range for contracted hours at unis. Right now my contract is for 14 but I've only had 12 all year. Several FTs here have only 10 hours.

Zhuhai and Xiamen are both great cities. Good luck to you.

.

[xiguagua]

Pretty much what Ariadne said is accurate.

School hours range from 8am - 11:40 in the AM, then have a break and resume from 2 - 5:30, my school also changes times for 2:30 - 6 for half of the year for the summer/winter weather.

You will have a set schedule. People talk about them randomly changing your schedule and not telling you, but I can't say that I have enough experience with that to complain about it(altho it can happen) National holidays you won't have class, but a lot of times you'll have to make it up on sat/sun which really sucks and it's not even like you had a holiday at all. But like Ariadne said most uni teachers won't have a full load anyway so it's not THAT bad. My time teaching Uni I taught 4 days a week and last term only 3 (it was so boring!)

I've never had office hours, never been REQUIRED to do anything other than teach, but I would attend English Corner and judge competitions just because i'm a good guy! Actually English competitions are horribly boring and a giant waste of time for teachers and students so I just stopped going. I can only listen to the same garbage topics in the same garbage format they choose for so long before I start thinking of ways to end my life. "Good afternoon ladies, gentlemen, and distinguished judges, it is my great honor to be able to stand here tonight and have the opportunity to speak in front of all of you......." Good god kill meeeee

Most schools will provide you with a living arrangement, i've had to share one before when I first came to China, but I got lucky and he was a cool guy and we never had any problems. It was fine for me the first year just to have a fellow newbie there with me to adapt and complain about stuff to, but I don't think many schools offer shared apartments anymore, especially after the huge real estate boom there should be plenty of empty homes to go around. And yeah i've always been close to school, longest I had was like a 10minute walk through a park.

If you REALLY want of course you a free not to live in the uni provided housing, but that doesn't mean they will give you a living stipend so it would come out of your salary. Then you'd probably also have to pay for utilities yourself as well. Some schools will pay for utilities and some dont, but.....EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE!

Zhuhai or Xiamen should have a good enough pharmacy to get some heartburn medicine. If not i'm sure there's a cool "traditional" Chinese medicine involving eating/drinking something gross or doing something weird that you can try.

[Non Sequitur]

Same Same for 1 and 2.
For 3 I had a friend send me Sumatriptan from home for migraine.
Dr was happy to provide prescriptions as needed and pharmacist happy for someone to collect pills for me. Small towns have their advantages!
All came through mail system just fine.
The thread 'Job Offer Checklist' has a lot of things to think about.
Accom on campus is best (provided no door keeper) as a split shift - work 8 til 10 and then 2 til 4 is a pain if you've got to hang out in the library and can't go back to your pad.
Single occupancy is pretty much the norm.

[El Jefe]

Wonderful advice, answered all of my questions, and I appreciate the responses greatly. Good stuff, sincerely. I know the consensus is that universities are generally the way to go, I just wish the start time was maybe an hour later. I'm a bit of a night owl at times. But, with the down time and low hours, I guess it's hard to complain too much. May I ask what English Corner is, exactly? And the variance regarding vacation time? Paid? I know this is where you tell me to do my own research, and I will. But if someone cares to chip in, again, much thanks. It's a big and ambiguous country, hard to wrap my head around the details. I've traveled quite a bit in my life and run into so many crazy situations, that I can be anal when it comes to figuring out the details. Maybe that's the wrong way to go about it, but it is what it is.

Anyway, I have to dive into China soon, I'd always regret it if I didn't. I'm currently in the kunmentionable country, and while my job here is absurdly easy (6 hours a day on site, 4 teaching, no boss, minimal responsibilities), it's a drab place to live. That's it for me though, thanks again for the advice.

[Non Sequitur]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Yes, many Chinese pharmecutical companies manufacture Pariet and export it abroad. Should have it here.

[El Jefe]

Doesn't sound all that bad, English Corner, etc. Very informative, thank you very much, Non Sequitur and The Great Wall of Whiner.

[therock]