Job Discussion Forums

hubeigirl · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 3

Hi there,

Being a newbie to this forum and to teaching in China, I would like to know if anyone has taught in Huannang or Wuhan -Hubei province. I have applied for a job there and just wanted any general info about the area.

Also your top five things to absolutely take to China ..and absolutely not wouldnt go amiss.

Thanks
Hubeigirl

ContemporaryDog · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 1477 Location: Wuhan, China

Hi there, I am in Wuhan now. I've been here a year and have signed another year. This might suggest it was a wonderful place - in fact its nothing fantastic, the main reason I've decided to stay is to do with relationships etc.

Wuhan is OK - its big, dirty and polluted, but not as bad or miserable as some of the places I've been through in China. It has a few fairly decent nightclubs and bars, and some good clothes shops.

Bring:

Marmite
CDs (CD shops here are dire) or if you are IT-competent, a music collection through other means such as IP or whatever its called
Deodorant

If you want to know anything else, pm me.

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:39 am Post subject: Wuhan

I've been in Wuhan for about 2 1/2 years now myself, so you can always PM me, too, if you wish!

The G-stringed Avenger · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 11:18 am Post subject:

Hello all, I'm also a newcomer, I'll be starting work in Wuhan in about 2 weeks.
My question is about dress codes - I'll be at a university and want to know what the go is - smart casual or shirt and tie? My recruiter was quite vague about it.
I only have a 20kg baggage allowance so I can't cover every contingency!

Also, where's the happening place for foreign types in Wuhan? And where do you other posters work?
Thanks, look fwd to hearing from you.

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:47 pm Post subject: Wuhan

Amazing! There have been so many posts from the G-stringed Avenger in the past few days and, guess what, he's headed for Wuhan! Maybe he can do something about the "crimes" perpetrated by certain establishments in this city! But why give anything away? We'll undoubtedly see him in his "G-Mobile" or whatever it is he drives! Then again, he might see him in the "Air on a G String" in his "Stringbag"! (If you're a military aviation enthusiast like myself, you'll know what I'm talking about when I mention the term, "Stringbag".)

OK, Avenger, I think you need not worry too much about dress code. My advice is that, at first, you can simply wear a shirt without a tie when you first take classes. The chances are that, if the university lecturers back home don't necessarily dress up like penguins, you won't be required to here, either. It seems only businessmen dress up with shirts, ties, suits and all the other paraphernalia involved.

It just so happens that I work at a primary school and have another one semester there before deciding what I want to do next. I am actually contemplating trying the university sector myself once I clock up three years of teaching experience here in Wuhan. The first two were spent at a private school before I left and eventually found my current job. No shirt and tie needed by any member of staff here, I'm glad to say.

A 20 kg baggage allowance never translates itself into people carrying 20 kg or less if they are going to go overseas to live and work for any length of time. I ended up coming to China with 32 kg of baggage (none of which was emotional, I'm glad to say), but I never had to pay a single penny in excess charges, not even from London Heathrow Airport, so that was a bonus. Then again, that was because the flight was, as it turned out, less than half full, and I managed to lie across all four seats in the centre section during the night flight - luxury!

One usually "happening" place in the Hankou area of the city is the famous "Blue Sky Cafe" at 735 Jianshe Dadao (near the intersection with the Xinhua Lu and the very tall China Construction Bank building), where expats meet to talk and chill out after a hard day's work (or not!). It gets especially lively on special occasions - I should know, because I have seen in two calendar years there. I haven't been there for a while, though, because I now work in the Wuchang area across the River Yangtze. It is Wuchang which has the vast majority of the university campuses in Wuhan, so you'll have to travel a great distance from Wuchang to the "Blue Sky"! There's live music, too, so I guess that, whatever your musical tastes, you'll be well catered for.

The G-stringed Avenger · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 11:07 pm Post subject:

Thank you Chris! I am indebted to you sir. Yes, the oft-irreverent G-stringed Avenger has gone serious and is headed for Wuhan. I shall be sure to check out the Blue Sky Cafe, though in my disguise as a mild-mannered English teacher, rather than my true scantily-clad crime-fighting self.

As for transport - I don't drink and drive, I smoke dope and fly.

Till next time, folks...

misutabiru · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 112 Location: Daegu

Hello everybody. I am new to this forum, but I have been in Wuhan for a little over a year. If there any other Wuhan people out there who are interested, there is a punk rock show this saturday evening (sept 11) at a bar called Cat's in Wuchang.

also, if you live in Wuchang and are looking for a regular place to go, me and a friend just opened a bar near the HUST Wuchang Branch campus. its really cheap, good atmosphere, good music, all that stuff. contact me if you need directions or information. am I allowed to do a plug here?