Job Discussion Forums

[sherylynnb]

if you have info on teaching at a primary or int'l school in these cities please email [email protected] speed necessary

[Freedom]

I am currently negotiating for a position in Changchun. I too have questions. Perhaps we can pull our info together. What did you need to know?

Freedom

[Captain Yossarian]

Hi,

There's loads of information about Changchun in earlier threads here. Do a search for 'Changchun'. Quick tip - wherever you end up here make sure it is not Tianshuo, Tianyuan, Simon's English School or Columbia. The latter has been written about more than any other school in China due to the fact that they were taken to court in Canada and the first two are absolute snakes that every single expat in Changchun will tell you to avoid.

Yossarian

[Roger]

All these towns are in the NE of China, thus within the temperate zone, which means it gets pretty hot in summer -with the exception of Changchun, I would say), and terribly cold in winter (less so in Qingdao).
You have already, no doubt, inferred that Qingdao must be the southernmost place of these three ones; good; now why would you want to come to this part of China in the first place?

I would vote for Tianjin:
- because it's very close to Peking, which means it is within convenient
travelling distance to a place with all the amenities you might crave; it take less than 2 hours by train between those two cities. And the surroundings of Peking have a lot of sightseeing options to offer.
But you must be aware of the climate-related problems - winters so cold you will be muffled up under three layers of clothes; they heat with coal, and in spring and autumn expect a lot of dust in the air...

Changchun
because it has wide boulards, relatively clean air and is a spaced-out place rather than compact and condensed like most Chinese towns are. What would turn me off there is the sterile social life and cultural activities. Not many overly interesting travelling destinations in its vicinity. Changbaishan - if you care for winter sports. North Korean border...

Qingdao:
My favourite, since this town has a charm of its own owing to its European downtown architecture and cool coastal climate. The hinterland is attractive too if you like to see vineyards and more coasts. Scenic spots abound in Shandong province and neighbouring areas. I used to spend every weekend in a different place just to get to know that part of China.
I also found Shandongers rather cordial - perhaps influenced by the former beer-swilling German overlords.

[Captain Yossarian]

[Sechelt]

Qingdao gets my vote (though, I must admit: I've never been to TJ). The sea, beaches, moderate climate and, as Roger pointed out, friendly people make QD a nice smallish coastal city.
Captain Yossarian wrote: