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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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 Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:22 am Post subject: |
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I've never seen anyone turn into a zombie once he reached China. Generally, the zombies crawled from the grave prior to their arrival. They arrive zombie-ish. As far as a career goes, unless you have at least a BA in something, you won't have much of a career unless you figure out a way to stay in China forever. With an MA, your experiences in China will give you a leg up should you decide to teach on the college/university level.
If you don't have a degree, go study for one. It will provide a cushion for when you return home. A CELTA certificate won't get you a job bagging groceries when you return home. |
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mike w
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 1071
Location: Beijing building site
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| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:32 am Post subject: |
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| It seems those who've been there for several years or even a couple of decades have turned into sort of content zombies. |
More generalisations!!
So, being a zombie = 7 years in the same job; salary approaching USD3000; nice, modern apartment; no FEC or Visa problems; working with 2 colleagues for 6 years; no schedule changes;
I think I can live with that.
I'd better crawl back into my grave now until it goes dark tomorrow night. |
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The Edge
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
Posts: 455
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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Many disgruntled FOTB's just cannot handle the culture shock and were desperate to get a job, ANY job, ANYWHERE.
China is not for those sort of people. |
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fat_chris
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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| The Edge wrote: |
Many disgruntled FOTB's just cannot handle the culture shock and were desperate to get a job, ANY job, ANYWHERE.
China is not for those sort of people. |
True that - it becomes a train wreck waiting to happen.
Warm regards,
fat_chris |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not up on current acronyms. What's an FOTB?
In wedding photography parlance, that might mean Father Of The Bride. (It's usually FOB and MOB, then BOB, and SOB-- sister of the bride) |
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The Edge
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
Posts: 455
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Fresh Off The Boat. |
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MisterButtkins
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Posts: 1221
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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| The Edge wrote: |
Many disgruntled FOTB's just cannot handle the culture shock and were desperate to get a job, ANY job, ANYWHERE.
China is not for those sort of people. |
Yeah, this. The people who hate China the most are the ones who seem to have no good reason for being here. I've honestly met a couple people who just started complaining about it the second they got off the plane and seemed to have no interest in the country at all. |
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LeopoldBloom
Joined: 08 Jul 2010
Posts: 57
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:25 am Post subject: |
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I would agree that China has become a place for people who can't get a job anywhere else. Why else would anyone accept a TEFL job there under the current conditions? Median salary is quite low compared to China, Korea or even Vietnam or Indonesia and the cost of living for foreigners can be dear. The risks are high, rewards, by and large, low. Hm. Are you desperate, no other chance in the world? Go to China.
Bloom. |
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chinadad
Joined: 29 Nov 2011
Posts: 291
Location: chengdu
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:55 am Post subject: |
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| salary approaching USD3000 |
for a "play at being a teacher" job in China I suppose that's good - but qualified international school teachers and any for real world ex-pats -  - i don't think they'd want to go boasting over that kind of wage, especially if there were no extras benefits like real pension schemes and western class medical insurance that covered the whole family |
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MisterButtkins
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Posts: 1221
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:01 am Post subject: |
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| chinadad wrote: |
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| salary approaching USD3000 |
for a "play at being a teacher" job in China I suppose that's good - but qualified international school teachers and any for real world ex-pats - - i don't think they'd want to go boasting over that kind of wage, especially if there were no extras benefits like real pension schemes and western class medical insurance that covered the whole family |
ehh 20k/month is an upper middle class salary in China |
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mike w
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 1071
Location: Beijing building site
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:04 am Post subject: |
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| real pension schemes and western class medical insurance that covered the whole family |
yes, and yes |
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MisterButtkins
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Posts: 1221
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:07 am Post subject: |
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| LeopoldBloom wrote: |
| I would agree that China has become a place for people who can't get a job anywhere else. Why else would anyone accept a TEFL job there under the current conditions? |
1)Want to travel China
2)Study Chinese language
3)Sleep with lot of Asian women
4)Enjoy leisurely lifestyle
IMO 90% of the new teachers coming here come for one of the above reasons (usually 1-3). It has nothing to do with a career, salary, benefits, etc... I know it's hard for some of you 'serious' teachers to swallow, but for many people teaching in China is basically one long vacation. Most people I know working here do not see this as a career and could care less if they are making a salary others consider low, as long as the salary is sufficient to cover their travelling and partying. |
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chinadad
Joined: 29 Nov 2011
Posts: 291
Location: chengdu
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:10 am Post subject: |
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| ehh 20k/month is an upper middle class salary in China |
Duhhhhhhhh - but your not Chinese - your ex-pat. With all the downsides to living out here - only a few hardly ex-pat souls would waste away years at a lousy $3000/month.
$3000/month hardly pays of the monthly rent for ex-pat apartments in Shanghai nor Beijing
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MisterButtkins
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Posts: 1221
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:13 am Post subject: |
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Don't know what this is. |
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mike w
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 1071
Location: Beijing building site
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:14 am Post subject: |
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| $3000/month hardly pays of the monthly rent for ex-pat apartments in Shanghai nor Beijing |
Why would you waste so much money on an ex-pat apartment? What's so special?
I have all the same amenities like gas, electricity, 24hr hot water, internet, heating, air conditioning, security, satellite TV............
Plenty of other really good places at much less than that. |
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