Job Discussion Forums

Fud · Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Anybody here have any experience the IH school in Qingdao? Is anybody in here currently IN Qingdao?

In my experience, IH schools are generally well run, but that's no guarantee as I know these things vary from country to country, continent to continent.

As for Qingdao, I know almost nothing about it. I lived in Shenzhen for roughly six months, but my stay there came to crashing halt when I was hospitalized for three weeks with micoplasmic pneumonia and a separate bacterial lung infection. I feel I have unfinished business in China--so much to see and do--but I'm not going to go just anywhere.

Thanks in advance.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

We recently had a debate on the merits of Qingdao, and the opinions were severely divided. Millie will try to shoot me out of the sky with his negative comments.
Let me say that in my subjective opinion, Qingdao is a far nicer place than Shenzhen is. I have opinions on places I have actually visited or lived in, and I visited most cities in China, including Qingdao.

Summer is more bearable there than in sweltering Shenzhen, winters are colder and come with snow. The town is more attreactive although it is not as "modern" as Shenzhen with its grotty 20-year old high-rises and brand-new pseudo-marble topped houses.
Having said this, Qingdao is more provincial, more Chinese, more backward but also more laid-back and more welcoming than Shenzhen can ever be. Qingdaoers are natives that are happy to treat a guest, whereas Shenzheners are uprooted migrants who are mistrustful of each other and especially of foreigners.

I just don't know the school you mentioned.

Old Dog · Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 564 Location: China

Roger, for your information and edification, in English, Millie is a female name. It was a lady who shot you from your sullied perch.

millie · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 413 Location: HK

The total number of Chinese cities is 666 That is a lot of cities.
From: http://www.chinatoday.com/city/a.htm

And this is from information that is at least 8 years old, so the number would be greater now.

Roger wrote:

Fud · Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

The school is International House, but I knwo they've only been there for a few years so maybe you haven't come across them yet.

I think I'd be inclined to agree with you about Shenzhen compared to Qingdao. Shenzhen had its merits, but I think it's impossible to have a "normal" day in that city. Either something completely freaky-weird-awsome will hapen, the complete opposite will. The whole time I was there I got the feeling I was living in pseudo-China--IN China, but not really.

So I'm mos def looking for someplace different to go back. Chengdu/Sichuan was the only other place I got to see, and I'd go back there in a heartbeat.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Fud · Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

I'll take that as general recommendation then, Roger.

And as for your reply to Millie...I'll just assume there's some backstory and go on whistling as a walk.

millie · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 413 Location: HK

Hello Fud,

Shandong and Qingdao have been discussed recently here:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?p=207898&highlight=#207898

I note you are in Spain now.
Forget any suggestion that QingDao has a temperate climate: winter is simply brutal and freezing. That has not changed.

The sea is still wet and salty … and grey-green. That has not changed.

Still, I cannot agree with the suggestion that Qingdao is an almost idyllic place by comparison to ShenZhen ....but that does not mean it may not be for some.

It is true the old part of QD has an area of often poorly maintained German style houses, also some churches etc. No doubt a nice place to spend a few days on holiday except in the months of winter when the icy wind whistles past your face.

However, I would be surprised if IH is situated in that part of town.

QD, like a lot of places in China, has changed a lot in the past few years and the ugly urban re-newal, high rise look a-likes, dusty wide roads and increasing numbers of freeways does (edit) NOT equate to an idyllic situation to me.

In regards to IH QD specifically, about 3 or 4 years ago a friend of my niece transferred to QD from another IH school in China and was happier in QD. I also spoke to the DoS there a year or so ago – a nice chap from Melbourne but he seems not to be there any longer. Sorry that my information about IH QD is rather vague but as you would understand, my intention at the time was not to gather specific details from these folks regarding how it was to work at IH QD. However, I certainly got the impression that there were no major issues there.

Keep whistling and happy teaching.

M