Job Discussion Forums

[Bud Powell]

I am not at all familiar with agents. I do know that some Chinese grad schools are lax in their requirements for the submittal process. I have written about 9 or so letters to students who went to study and teach in Lanzhou University as well as the University of Yangzhou.

After they were accepted for an interview (before even being accepted to study there) they gathered their letters of recommendation, letter of application, sealed transcripts (which were already sent to the school along with the initial application to the school). When they arrived, they stood (or sat) before a board comprised of department members and were peppered with questions (in English) about themselves, their interests, and their anticipated futures.

I agree, though that I may not have the experience in China as others, and I may not have enough experience in the country to understand all of it. I have not lived everywhere in China. Nine years isn't nearly long enough to fully understand any culture, even when one is immersed in it.

Whether or not I have the experience to judge some of the Chinese AND western teachers may be debatable, but after nine years, I think I've known a wide range of abilities and personalities to be found among FTs.

[wonderingjoesmith]

[Bud Powell]

This isn't about letters to Chinese institutions but from them to western ones. I guess reading this topic from NY may be confusing.

I've addressed both issues. May I be of further help?

[wonderingjoesmith]

There are all kinds of helpfulness. I asked for views of others on the topic. On the contrary, your first two posts indicate that you have not addressed the issue from the right part of the world; you have muddled it. Moreover, you have indirectly attempted to discredit some experienced messengers to this board.

[Bud Powell]

Her recent indications that I should speak about her letter with the director, to me, raise worries she may have been asked to supply the recommendation from me for other purposes than her own application too.

If you're concerned that the letter will be used for someone else's application, be sure to supply only a hard copy. Even then, there's not much that you can do about a forged signature, so there's no effective way of thwarting such behavior unless you provide the letter in a sealed envelope with your signature across it. In your letter, you can write that the letter is invalid if presented separate from a sealed envelope with your signature across the sealed flap. State the same thing in your letter.

Even then, there's really nothing you can do about someone who is determined to subvert your efforts to prevent misuse.

[wonderingjoesmith]

Dear Bud Powell,

Even though you have not confirmed you have returned to China, I am pleased to have read your useful suggestion.

The above precaution advised is a fine attempt to prevent the abuse and I will follow up accordingly.

Whether I am uneasy about supplying Chinese students with the recommendation letters or not ought not to be the issue here; raising awareness and sharing our experiences, however, ought to.

There will always be people, who are determined to cheat and who succeed, although I do believe in their lower success rates, if we try.

I look forward to reading more of your enlightening posts about China and on working in the country.

Sincerely yours,
Joe