Job Discussion Forums

[Gordon]

[stillnosheep]

Good luck Antararararararaaaaaaaa!

Go girl go!!

(oh, and do please keep us posted).

[johnslat]

Dear Antaraaa,

"It took 4 days total by the time we got there....long, crazy journey, but I loved it."

As one who's taken a few long Greyhound journeys myself, I'll bet you also met some, well, interesting fellow travelers on board, as well.

"What if God was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home."


Regards,
John

[guest of Japan]

It's really enjoyable to read the posts by the OP. They are so positive and full of excitement.

Just before I came to Japan I took a train from Altoona, Pennsylvania to San Jose, California for about $170. It was a three day trek with an 8 hour stop in Chicago. The plain states were long and boring, but they were more than made up for by the scenery of the Rockies, Sierras and deserts in the west. I met the most interesting people as well.

I've never been in love with buses.

[Antaraaaa]

Hey! I am here, actually on the ground in Harbin China!!

I am so sorry I can't write a long post as they are waiting on me ....(bringing me back to the hotel I wasn't expecting that at all, lol)

However, I can say that Harbin is really, really cool. Its 10,000 times bigger than I imagined and is pretty funky. I took a walk around and looked at the stores today and I can safely say this : DO NOT WORRY ABOUT BUYING CLOTHES OR ANYTHING ElsE , LOL
I have been in shock all afternoon seeing the massive variety of clothing, shoes, cosmetics and luggage....I was almost disapointed that I wouldn't have to endure much hardship, lmao.
One example: a hard shell pink modern-type suitcase that I was just looking at in Vancouver priced 400.00......I saw here today for (breathe) 130 rmb....too much, lol.
Plus, in answering my own digital camera post......massive selection of cameras better than the one I had (I got robbed) and although not dirt cheap, its doable..between 2000-4000 rmb....still kicks ass on what I paid in Canada.
Sorry for the "goods" oriented post, but its all i have really been exposed to so far. They have me in a hotel right beside the "St.Sophia's" (former church)beautiful Cultural Center, and its just a shopping paradise all round. Guess when I actually have some cash it will be even better
The school has been just so wonderful so far, and I even enjoyed the 12 hour flight here from LA. Ya think I'd have a at least one complaint by now eh? Nada one.I just feel really grateful to have landed in such a nice place, I hope I can be as good to them as they have been to me thus far.

Cheers,

Ant

[ilunga]

Glad to hear everything's going well. The school sounds great. If they're in need of any more teachers please give me a buzz

I'm happy where I am now but I'm very interested in Harbin as somewhere to live in the future.

All the best.

[Antaraaaa]

Yep, they are hiring.

The school is good, especially when compared to what I hear about many other schools in this country.

I think they would especially like to hire good looking single men over 6 ft with big builds in the age range of 26-40
(joke) Actually, they seem to be willing to hire anyone they like.

I have just had my first 4 classes and I am getting a little less nervous with each one. I LOVE the students I have met so far....they are so gentle compared to the savage maniacs my friends and I were in school....but then again, I am a newbie and things could change.

I am happy with this place, really no complaints at all. I am a low maintenance chick though.....someone else may have a different tale to tell. I just took over from a guy who broke his contract and is heading back to the States, but it seems this was due more to "lifestyle challenges" here in Harbin (please note Harbin is the heavy drinking capital of China, lol) rather than the school itself. He is a good guy, and the school even told me they feel he is a great teacher and they are sorry to see him go. Not bad terms to leave on given the circumstances.

If interested, email yer resume (they like recent photo/passport photo) to
[email protected]

They do however insist on signing a year (or more) contract. I was surprised by this as I had mistakenly thought I had the option of 6 months....that has been the only real hardship for me so far--the mental switch to "year commitment" mode.
I am dealing with it. ...sort of.

Harbin is a trip, no doubt about it.....come and see We did a school promotion yesterday at a mall downtown ....for "Happy Children's Day".
I sang and played guitar (I made the really BAD move of telling them I had a guitar) and we were on chineseTV last night! Excitement abounds!

Please pepper this info with the fact I have only been here 10 days, teaching for 4. lol. Things may be a little different a few months in.

[Sevarem]

All right, I'll bite. What's the name of this great school you're teaching at?

[Antaraaaa]

I don't know why, but i am having a terrible time with private messages on here. Sorry to all who have tried to contact me this way, I can read your messages and I keep trying to reply, but to no avail.

So....

I gave ya the email addy for the school.....now here is the website:
http://www.sunshinehrb.com/

I am now done.


Cheers,

Ant.

[Sevarem]

Grr, can't get the English section of the website to load.

So how's the teaching? What age groups do you teach? What are the facilities like?

And of course, share more of your observations about Harbin, as my friend and I really look forward to getting there!

[Hyo-Shin]

I think you're going to have excellent time in Harbin, that city can be way too much fun....northern china...you're really jumping in the deep end of this, eh? it's gonna be awesome