Job Discussion Forums

Snuz · Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 3

I have several questions that I would love some help with. I'm considering a job at Peizheng Commercial College and I've contacted the teachers who are already there, but I have some general concerns about China. Am I really going to have problems surviving on $750 a month minus my $200 car payment? Is the heat really that bad near Guangzhou? Can it be worse than Michigan summers? The school is an hour and a half from Guanghou is there really nothing to do besides go to the city? And I assume that it's true that the water isn't drinkable is that easy to handle as far as bottled water being easy to find? Anything else anyone wants to add would be greatly appreciated.

James_T_Kirk · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 357 Location: Ten Forward

millie · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 413 Location: HK

Snuz · Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 3

The issue isn't whether to stay home or not. Rather it's for me to be fully informed and to have realistic expectations especially in regard to supporting myself financially.

Thanks for the info. Kirk.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

To be fully7 i8nformed, mate, you need to ask a lot of questions, and better ones than those you posed here!

As for the heat, there are far "worse" places all over the world; what does make Guangdong's heat special is its high humidity. It's like in Bangkok. This means that even long after sunset it doesn't get any cooler. There is hardly any wind. You perspire even as you sit motionless.
Towards the morning, the temperature may go down to 28, 26, and from September on, 25. The maximum during the day these days is 34, but it can top 36.

I don't think you can make US ruble 750 a month and save it!

And, I for one am puzzled too about this car thing of yours.

There are several dozen foreign teachers at Peizheng Commercial College at Huadu; none of them is reported to have publicl,y complained it is boring in their spare time.
Depends on you and your intellectual resources!

millie · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 413 Location: HK

I think, Roger, you may have mis-read the post - maybe not

garbotara · Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 529 Location: China

What is your problem , Millie? I know before I went to India the first time I was concerned about the water. If the person has not been to Asia before, that would be a concern. After having countless parasites from bad food and water , I can understand that concern. Sometimes I could not get bottled water, and had run out of iodine tablets. Parasites are not fun, Millie.
Bottled water is everywhere in the cities and towns, The person will be fine.

millie · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 413 Location: HK

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

I don't know anything about Guangzhou, but ...

$550 USD is more than enough to "survive on." Maybe you will even save some (just don't incur any more debts)! I make about the same and have managed to save quite a bit already, though I hope to go on holiday soon.

Don't worry too much about the water. It's available in bottled form everywhere. Even in the countryside. What do you all think the natives drink? Tap? Cripes, they'd all be dead!

yaco · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 473

Dear Snuz

Send me a PM and I will give you further information.

THUD & BLUNDER · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Posts: 34 Location: Guangzhou

I worked at Pei Zheng a few years ago.

1) It is 3km from a village which is 30 mins bus ride from Huadu which is 60 mins bus ride from GZ. But there is a school bus once a day.

2) You will be expected to share a house with another teacher.

3) When I was there the FAO and English department were at loggerheads.

4) The head of FAO was a snakeoil salesman called Erasmus. As with many of his kind, his modus operandi is to promise whatever you ask for but when you arrive to deliver only excuses.

5) Most teachers leave after one year, if not before.

bec · Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Posts: 6 Location: China

Hi Snuz,

I'm at a private boarding school about 2 hours north east of Guangzhou.

For me personally, I've been going out of my head here. I used to think that I was self motivated and could easily fill my time but that was before I came to China. I got the school to increase my working hours from 16 to 25 because I was so tired of sitting around doing nothing (and, no, I didn't get an increase in pay).

If you are good at keeping yourself occupied, have some research to do, can sleep 12 hours a day or are content with a quiet life then you will probably get through your time fine. However if you're young and after a bit of excitement, take a job in the city.

I didn't get any language lessons when I arrived in China which I regret. My school doesn't organise it and I haven't been able to find a willing teacher either for money or for language exchange. Within my school everyone speaks Mandarin. Step outside the school gates and it's Cantonese. I have found this dificult and frustrating.

In terms of money, I make 4300 RMB per month and have no trouble saving at least half of it - even with frequent overnight trips into Guangzhou, bi-weekly trips to the nearest village (a 20-minute, 5RMB bus ride), plenty of meals outside of the school canteen, phonecalls home, buying dvd's etc...

Bottled water is cheap and you will most likely be able to get the massive 20L bottles delivered to your doorstep. Buying a water dispenser adds costs but it's probably worth it. I've been lazy and just cyphon it out of the container with my camelpack straw.

The weather is really, really hot. I mean stinking hot. And sticky. Humidity must be more than 90% most of the time and I have constant wet patches under my armpits (eeeew!). While most of the locals seem not to let it bother them, I sweat even when I'm sitting down doing nothing - it drives me crazy. Unless your good with heat, be sure to check that your apartment is airconditioned. Your classrooms probably wont be. Oh, on the positive side the thunderstorms at the moment are unbelievable - just awesome.

I hope I've been able to offer something useful... Good luck with your decision. Very Happy

Oh, and I'll be breaking my contract to get the f*** out of here come summer holidays. On the other hand, the other foreign teacher and his wife have just renewed.

RSB · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 21

THUD & BLUNDER
Some things have changed, some haven't:

1) the bus now leaves about every 15 minutes

2) most teachers have private apartments - few share

3) now we have EEC (English Ed. Cent), Foreign Language Dept, & FAO - all 3 agree to disagree

4) same salesman but possibly not as bad/unchanged. If you save all pertinent e-mails he's OK - get everything in writing

5) things have improved here a lot - some instructors have now re-signed for a 4th year, many for a third & 2nd. Probably 50% retention rate. FAO hiring practices (good word - they're still practicing) are lax many people who leave early should never have been here - FAO just doesn't find out until after they're in the classroom. I've never heard of FAO actually doing a telephone interview for example....