Job Discussion Forums

[BlueBlood]

Hello, All. Newbie and 1st-time poster here.

I realize my question is of course a subjective one, and no answer or opinion could possibly be "right" or "wrong." Barring a major development, however, I'll be teaching English in one of those two cities by early 2014.

If you've only been to or lived in one of the two, I'd still love to hear your opinion! Some specific questions I'd love to hear answers to:

Which city is generally cleaner?

Which city is generally more friendly? I've heard QD is lovely but the locals tend to be quite proud and even "cold" there. What is/was your impression?

Which city has more to do and see for an expat? I know SH and BJ offer the most, but I'm not interested in either city, regardless of the pay.

If it matters, I speak Chinese, am middle aged, and haven't visited China since 2010. I spent that trip entirely in the south and loved the people there, but it was frankly way to hot for my liking.

I've more questions but this post is long enough already. Even if you haven't much to add to the dialogue, but have something, please jump in. Thanks in advance for any and all responses!

BB

[Non Sequitur]

Worked 18m in Dalian and 12m in QD.
Generally I'd opt for QD.
I was there just after the Olympic sailing regatta and everyone seemed pumped by that and outward looking.
As the only laowai at the Copthorne Chistmas Dinner I got a rousing cheers when I won the door prize. Lot's of 'Welcome to Qingao' and 'Well done'.
An active expat group in QD and a few US call centres opening up.
On balance the QD winter is a little less fierce than Dalian.
QD is hot in summer so get a gig near the beach and enjoy the afternoon sea breeze. Nice open air dining in the older part - railway station end.

[BlueBlood]

Spent a couple hours on the board today and you're clearly an "old hand" around here.

Where are you now? Still teaching?

I'm heading back to China for several reasons, and making money is not one of them (couple people close to me here in States keep pushing me to go to SH or BJ but I'm not interested). Ergo I need a nice city with decent air and too hot for my liking. Didn't realize DL had fierce winters. Interesting, considering it's latitude.

Any suggestions as to how to get a uni job in QD? I'm now strongly considering a job-hunting "vacation" in December before I permanently leave.

[Non Sequitur]

I should have added that my home country is more temperate and in my home locale it has only snowed once in my memory . While DL is the northernmost ice free port in China, it still has cold winters. The old port of Port Arthur was used by the British, Russians and Japanese because it doesn't ice over.
So QD or TAO (if we're using airport tags) to me is cold in winter, but not as bad as DL.
Even if you aren't a beach goer just its proximity and expanse gives TAO a relaxed atmosphere. They've retained a bit of the old German ambiance and of course Tsingtao beer is a nice drop.
DL has beaches but they're rubbish basically.
I'd go back to either but I'm over the age where visas become harder to get.
There will be an uptick in recruiting in Dec for Feb start after Spring Festival. At end of November, you should look at registering on free sites like seriousteachers.com and doing direct approaches to FAOs.
PM me if you need detailed help.
Best

[PBirm123]

I live and teach in Dalian and I believe it to be quite nice. Never been to Qingdao, so I can't compare, but Dalian has every amenity you'd need aside from Mexican food.

[Non Sequitur]

I'd go back to either but if there was a choice I'd go for Qingdao.
I taught at DMU and the Foreign Trade U out at Lushun (dire) and hung out at DUT and DUFE.
You at any of these?

[PBirm123]

Training center, unfortunately. But I enjoy it! It seems every advertisement for an open university position in Dalian seems to be at the Maritime University, though. How many native speakers do they employ?

Perhaps they're just having a tough time finding someone for this term.

[BlueBlood]

@NS, that is so helpful, thank you, and yes, I will be PMing you. Very important info re timing, as at my age, December will literally be here before I know it.

I'm actually quite sad to hear your age would prevent you from returning. Why in the Hades is that? I'd much prefer an older, experienced teacher to kid straight out of school who'd rather party every night and sleep in everyday than help me learn a new language.

@PB, I don't understand why you said "unfortunately" with regards to working at training center? If you prefer a uni job, why not just switch at he end of your contract?

Separately, yes, I expect I'll miss Mexican food. Also expected to miss Western media, but I'm starting to gather there are ways to catch Western TV and movies in China.

[Non Sequitur]

[PBirm123]

[BlueBlood]

You're a selfless young man to even have that thought (taking someone else's job) in the first place. I commend you.

For me, I've already decided it's a uni/college job to start. If I cannot walk from my flat to my classrooms, I'm not interested. I'm at a place in my life wherein taking a crowded bus several times a day to go anywhere just isn't happening.

Mind, that's exactly what I did when I was your age in Taiwan, and loved every minute of it! Made decent money too, but had no time to exercise or read or even just relax, except on Sundays.

Sadly, however, it sounds like the price I'll have to pay for a uni job is, well, terrible pay. It is what it is, I suppose.

[Markness]

Hey blue!

I think there is opportunity to make more money with other avenues of income. (Privates/tutoring/working part-time at a language mill), and on the whole you are in a lower tax bracket, and can save more because you got a free apartment from the uni. Others may not recommend this, but hey, when in China!

[DCHun]

I haven't been to QD yet, I just started a uni job in Dalian a few weeks ago and so far the environment here has been pretty nice. Actually, the school is in Lushun, which like NS said, is about an hour bus ride from Dalian city.

You should check if the school you're going to is in Lushun or if its closer to the city (maybe Heishijiao). Lushun is a less crowded and the air quality is good (though DL isn't that bad either) but there's really no night life around here. Heishijiao is closer to the city and a there's more to do around there.

Dalian city is pretty nice in general. There are a lot of parks and plazas throughout the city. Public transportation is decent. From what I've heard, Dalian is where Chinese people from other cities come to travel.

[BlueBlood]

DC, fantastic input! Exactly the type of details and impressions I'm looking for. Stuff one literally cannot find in a travel book.

Cheers!

[Non Sequitur]