Job Discussion Forums

[Marjanian]

I am 29, male, non-native speaker, white (but with a Mediterranean tan).

I have a BA in English, but no certificates.

I have 4+ years of experience in a public elementary/middle school in my country (Macedonia).

I am bored and want to have an adventure, so I'm thinking of applying to the Buckland group so I can teach in China (one-semester only).

My question is regarding money. Now, as I said, I'm looking for adventure. However, it would be nice if I could also save a bit of money for travelling around SE Asia.

Let's say that I go to China in the middle of February and that my pay is 4500 yuan and the accommodation will be provided.

So, let's say I teach 5 months in total, which is 22500 yuan. I also have around $1000 to my name at the moment, so that would be about 28000 yuan in total. Also, my sister works for Qatar Airways, so I have 90% off on flights (there are flights to Chengdu, Shanghai, Chongqing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Hong Kong).


How much can I expect to save from those 28000 when everything is taken into consideration (10% of the flights, domestic travel, initial expenses, utilities, food, entertainment and so on).

Is it unrealistic to expect that I can save about 12 000 ($2000) when everything is taken into consideration? Living frugally is no problem for me, and I don't drink.

[choudoufu]

i'd say no problem if buckland will accept your nationality. search the
old threads. easy to save if that's your goal. easy to spend, as well.

but. methinks its probably too late......IF you want a legal work visa.
not really enough time to get the paperwork sorted before spring
festival, so you may be asked to just come on over on a tourist visa,
claiming no problem to convert it later.

[Marjanian]

Claiming? So, will he be lying?

[teenoso]

Why would Buckland only pay you 4500 RMB a month? That cannot surely be their standard salary, or is it their offer for non-native speakers? Either way, take a huge swerve.
I would think more in terms of getting a 10 month/one year contract, saving maybe half of a 5000 plus package every month. Six-month legal contracts for new teachers are pretty rare , I guess.

It sounds like Buckland is asking you to work illegally.

But there is a more general problem with your plan -- it assumes everything will go swimmingly here in China. You should always have a contingency fund, and prepare for spending on 'unforeseen' things , like accommodation, train fares, and flights if things go badly wrong , or the employer cheats you.

IME, travelling in South-East Asia is no longer dirt cheap. Malaysia can be expensive, and Thai hotels seemed pricier than those in China. But I don't do the hostelling thing. $3000 for a few weeks would be fine , but not for a long trip..

[D-M]

Because salary can vary across the country. Buckland wont be placing people in tier 1, 2 or 3 cities, but rather tier 25 towns. In some regions 4500 RMB per month looks like a good salary. Im in Yangshuo were Buckland is based, and can assure you that starter packages here begin from considerably less than 4500 RMB per month. (It would actually represent a pay increase for me. Sad ... but true!)

In September this year people were still able to arrive in Yangshuo on a tourist visa and take a trip to Hong Kong to convert to a Z visa. Of course, things change rapidly in China so Im not sure if its still the case. I dont know how much a Z visa and RP costs an employer ... would they be prepared to offer a 5 month contract with legal paperwork etc?

As far as saving money, I (and others) live quite comfortably on 2000 RMB or less per month so you can calculate how much you can save based on that.

[Marjanian]

[Marjanian]

[D-M]

I work very close to Buckland, but dont actually know very much about them TBH. I dont hang out with the ex-pat crowd too much, and only really know the other foreigners working at my employer. In addition, I believe Buckland just trains people in Yangshuo before sending them on placements elsewhere ... that (and my general unsociable behaviour) means I havent ever met anyone who has worked for / been hired by Buckland.

Salaries in this neck of the woods start from around 3500 RMB a month based on a 15 hour working week. More hours (when available) yields a higher salary but pro-rata hourly rates seem similar or identical with the main local employers. Opportunities for private work is a little thin on the ground compared to other locations I think. Most people working here in YS are those who renew contracts ... Im on my 3rd for example.

[choudoufu]

sorry guys, you're on the wrong track. my fault.

i was sayin' it's probably too late to get a work visa for a february
start date, and that an employer (not necessarily buckland) would
want the sucke....i mean, new employee, to come on a tourist visa.

yes, many claim to have the magical ability to transform that L visa
to a Z visa, but warlocks are getting fewerer and fewerer. it happens,
as evidenced by DM's anecdote a few days ago. most times, though,
it turns out to be a scam, a very expensive hiring interview, and often
turns out very badfully.

buckland provides some training, then places the new hire in small
town (village actually......250-500K population) high schools, with
pay often exceeding that of local unis/colleges.

[Marjanian]

Ok, thanks choudoufu.

So, from all the replies here, I gather that unless my employer gets me a work visa beforehand, I should forget about it... I hope it isn't too late.

[Bud Powell]

Your plan doesn't sound very good to me. If Buckland gives you a one-term contract, will they bring you over on a Z visa so that you can work legally? I worked with someone who worked for Buckland, and he came over on a F. When he arrived at my school, he had to go to Hong Kong to get the F visa converted to a Z visa. He left for Hong Kong but did not return. I imagine that he was turned down.

You really need to do a LOT more research and planning before you head off to parts unknown, especially if you don't know the language and don't know the game. You can find yourself experiencing headaches that you did not anticipate because you didn't do your homework before you left home.

One thing going against you right off the bat is that you're a non-native English speaker. I've known people who were able to circumvent that requirement, but I always doubted if they were teaching on a Z visa.

Do some more homework and maybe look for employment with another outfit. If Buckland is the only one who will hire you, take that into consideration. ASK what type of visa you will enter China on. If you are told to enter on an F visa, find an employer who will send you a letter of invitation that will allow you to secure a Z visa so that there will be no question about your legal status in China.

[Marjanian]

Thanks for the advice Bud, I appreciate it.

[D-M]

Problem is that as a non-native speaker only willing to do a short term contract your options are likely to be severely limited. The odds of finding someone are quite slim I think.

Would you consider a short term volunteer adventure? That might be a better bet in terms of legal status but obviously means you wont be earning and saving. We have short term volunteers who do 1-1 conversations in exchange for room and board. The 'work' commitment doesnt normally run to more than 5 or 6 hours a week.

Given the money you have, this might be a more viable option into an adventure in China. Im not sure, considering your circumstances, a real job with 100% legit paperwork is likely TBH.

[Marjanian]

D-M, while I've done volunteer work in the past, I can't really afford to work for free at the moment. I'd rather work at my current job, save some money and then travel during the summer.

Thanks for the offer, though.

[JustinC]

If the OP is going to be in-country, looks like a 'western' laowai, has 4+ years' teaching experience, can obviously string more than a sentence together in English, and isn't a shambolic junkie or alcoholic I'd say his chances of getting a job in China are pretty good.

Marjanian, with your very, very fortunate ability to get dirt-cheap flights I say you shouldn't hesitate. Get yourself into China - Guangzhou is full of expats, so a good place to start, and the weather's okay in February - and make contacts, join Couchsurfing (there's a very good group in Guangzhou), trawl the internet for teaching jobs and recruiters, join Facebook pages, practice your British/American/Australian/NZ/Canadian/South African accent, and have some fun.

Don't just count on one recruiter either; send out loads of CVs with a decent cover letter, saying the date you'll be available in China.