Job Discussion Forums

[Ciara]

Hello,

Looks like I'm heading to Shanxi instead of Hunan! Anyhow, my parents are getting super scared for me...

So, anyone heard of Yangquan Foreign Language School? A guy by the name of Jin Rong-Kun.

How's Shanxi? I heard it sucks from what I just read....any GOOD things to say?

Much thanks.

[ContemporaryDog]

A bloody tip according to Mrs Dog, and she's from Wuhan.

Its very poor, polluted and miserable. See the film "Blind Shaft" for further evidence thereof...

[cheekygal]

well, some people do teach there. the province is interesting culture and history-wise. but it is rural. on the other hand you will be able to experience *real* china

[Louis]

Shanxi is very real. I've been to Yangquan, it's sort of a miniature Taiyuan. Very industrial, but in a strange way, scenic. Except, don't expect to find Pizza Hut, or even McDonald's... I wouldn't doubt that you would be one of very few (if any) foreigners in town. There's lots of dust, except when it rains, then there's lots of mud. You can get a very cool experience from Shanxi, I find that these are very friendly people (moreso than the other places I've been to... Shaanxi, Henan, Shanghai, Shandong, Liaoning, Beijing.) That's *if* you can tolerate non-stop staring, hellos, and undeserved attention. There are some of China's best (no joke) attractions here at Wutai Shan, Pingyao, and to a lesser extent Jinci.

It all depends on what you want out of China. If you want expat friends, hamburgers, and all things normal, this isn't it. Shanxi will never let you forget that you're in China. However, for the sake of your sanity, I would shoot for something bigger than Yangquan; Taiyuan, or Datong at least.

[Ciara]

Thanks, I think I might feel a little better. LOL.

Well, the school is really interested in getting me there (I assume it's hard to attract a teacher in a little town like that...) and they've already begun the whole process of getting the documents. I would feel bad if I backed out now. I'm signing a 6 month contract first, then if I like it, the next 6 month

As for sticking out....I could probably blend in until I open my mouth However, I am quite beautiful (j/ks).

Maybe someone would come visit me....LOL.

[tarzaninchina]

I've been in Shanxi for over a year now. This province is noted by all Chinese as the most disreputabe one for doing business with. Yes, the pollution is incredibly bad here given the fact that this is the coal province of China.

In contrast to one or two others, this is the least emotionally expressive place and most unfriendly towards foreigners anywhere I or my foreign friends have been in China. All of my Chinese friends are from out of province.

Tarzan in China (@yahoo.ca)

[Ciara]

Guess I'll stick it out for a few months and if it really sucks and there's nothing to keep me there, I can always bail. As for the coal...did you know that is one of the methods that they use to treat alcohol poisoning? They pump in charcoal up your ass so it will absorb the alcohol! LOL.

Cheers....

[lagerlout2006]

One quick word of advice. Stick to your idea of 6 months. Possibly they will try to get you to agree to longer. Just have a story and stick to it.

Last year I flew to Beijing and went on overnight train to Taiyuan where I was supposed to be employed. They wanted me to move to another branch in Jinan. That was fine with me considering the location of that school. Along with being outside town it was a mile walk on an unlit unpaved road to get to the school. So I spent 3 days there and can't say much about it. It was fairly strange---even for China. I did get to Pingyao -one of those "world famous in China" places. It was very good-actually the best touristy thing I have seen here. Better than Forbidden City maybe. Speaking of which there is some express train that gets to Beijing in about 6 hours. Qingdao is a good 12 hours and Xian I dont know how far.

My opinion is that if you are ready for China you will like it anyhere. Good luck...