Job Discussion Forums

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

Provided you have backup cash in case things go south, sounds like a cool adventure.

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

dog8food · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 60

Thank you all for the tips. Much appreciated.

SoulTourist · Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Posts: 9

Shoes (American sizes are difficult to find._ Spices like tobasco sauce. If you smoke, American cigarettes-they also make great gifts. Pictures of home, the students love them. Salyer wrote a complete list of things in her book, "Teaching in China - Seven Dog Years." She also gave a number of dos and don'ts that are very helpful. The book can be found on audible, kindle or amazon paperback. Cheap fast read but helpful.

dog8food · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 60

Thanks for the resource. I'll check it out.

I just got hired from a montessori kindergarten 8-5, 4 teachers per classroom 11500 RMB. It works out 'cause they said I can go on an L and they'll flip it to a Z.

Wow, I get hired over the phone and I spent 2 months at home sending out applications without even landing an interview (of course I'd like to see more details of the contract).

Anyone heard of Etonkids?

The Edge · Joined: 04 Sep 2010 Posts: 455 Location: China

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Can't believe people are still considering the 'come on a tourist visa and we'll convert it later' proposition.
This will happen when you're dealing with a recruiter who hopes to place you once you're here, or a school that doesn't have the legal right to hire foreigners.

SoulTourist · Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Posts: 9

If you are going to teach in China for the first time, do it right the first time. Have the school send you the necessary paperwork to get your Z Visa. If your new emplyer is not willing to or can not, don't take the position. This is not the time to cut corners. Any legitimate employer knows what is required and you should too.

haleynicole14 · Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Posts: 178 Location: US

Congratulations on finding a job! It sounds like a good one. I hope that you enjoy it.

I think that in Beijing you should be able to find everything you are looking for. I lived in another part of China, where it was harder to find uncommon foreign things, and when I traveled to Beijing I was happy to stock up on some American foods and English books.

If I go work abroad again, I have a list of things that I want to bring.

- I would recommend bringing a couple of your favorite spices, because they may be hard to find. I would have loved to have taco seasoning, seasoning salt, or Italian spice blend.

- A few very small gifts from home are good to have to give to new friends. I also wished that I had brought more hobby things (paints, musical instruments, craft supplies - whatever you're into) and less hygiene items (lotion, shampoo) because it was harder for me to find leisure items and I had a lot of free time.

- Also, definitely optional, but I would have liked a nice scented candle. I didn't really see any over there (didn't look too hard though) and I would have loved something good smelling to remind me of home.

- Finally, any small home decorations (maybe a scarf to cover a table, a poster, family photos) that will make you feel like you've moved in.

I'm certainly not an expert on the subject, but these are things I wished I had brought.