Job Discussion Forums

[Skylark]

This is my first time looking for a position in China and I need some help. I've been doing this for four months and I can't figure out if I am having extraordinarily bad luck, or if all my research was for nothing and I've been scammed.

Has anyone heard or worked with Donut English? They are a newer school with a kindergarten program under the Beijing New Oriental umbrella.

I have talked with a couple of people at the school and have been trying to keep an eye on them and stay updated. I have sent my documents in and checked on the permit process. The day I should have heard about the permit and invitation letter, I was informed that the government system was being updated and that the online acceptance had only just happened. I have been informed it will be another month before I can apply for a visa at the embassy.

This delay concerns me, particularly because I was supposed to arrive months ago and am running out of money (I'm traveling, not at home working).

Has anyone experienced this sort of thing? Can anyone tell me about this group I've been working with? The people I have talked to don't make it feel like a scam, but I guess you never know.

[talentedcrayon]

Four months is unnecessarily long.

I can't say whether it's a scam or not. It doesn't sound like it.

The only bad thing I can think of that they might be doing, is purposely delaying the process because they don't actually need you right away. I can see a school doing this to save themselves some money. It should only take them 1 month maximum to get you the permit. In my case, and the case of everyone I've ever known in China, it takes about 1 month on the Chinese end.

I recommend that you delete the name of the school in your post. Many schools check these forums and Google themselves for negative reviews. It would not be a good way to start.

[Markness]

Skylark.. the first car my old man had, and he loved that thing.

On a serious note though, you should be looking for another job ASAP. Do not allow people to grab you by the nuts or whatever else may be downstairs. The worst case scenario is that your school as mentioned above does not have the need for you at the moment, perhaps their drunken all-star teacher has made a come-back and they cannot afford you ATM, therefore you should be paranoid in the sense that you should look for a job that is willing to send you over to HK and is able to turn your visa from a whatever you are on into a Z visa. I know a Ukrainian I met at the visa office in HK who was working at a kindergarten, he was previously on a tourist visa and they were able to convert it for him into a Z one. Do not believe the people who say it is not possible, I saw the magic done in front of my eyes.

So.. look for a job that understands your background, I do not normally recommend training schools but they are probably your best bet for getting it done last second, as they are the most desperate but also have the most connections. It is possible, but hurry up man!

[happeningthang]