Job Discussion Forums

SOULTRAVELLER · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Canada

Hello everyone,

I arrived in Kunming 2 days ago, after a 2 month teaching stint in Luang Prabang, Laos. I really wanted to stay in Laos longer, but I encountered major Visa nightmares in that country. Anyways, the exodus from Laos into China was rather unplanned, and I am now in Kunming with no guidebook, no phrase book, and no job prospects of any type.

Can anyone offer some advice about landing a job in Kunming? I was looking for a six month contract in Asia, and now I have only 4 + months left before I must return home to attend my brothers wedding in Canada. I am kinda low on funds, and I need an employer who can arrange a working visa and accomadation. I am very serious, hard working, and passionate about teaching, not just a backpacker looking for kicks. I have an arts degree and advanced TESOL certificate, and some experience. I am finding it difficult to figure out a place to start! Any advice would be much appreciated, and good Karma!

Thanks 1,000,000

jmbenne3 · Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Tianjin

SOULTRAVELLER,

I don't know much about Kunming but without knowing anyone, you could try to see if there are job offers posted at local backpacker hitches. There is a concentration at the Beijing Lu and Tuodong Lu crossroads (Camellia Hotel, etc near the Thai Embassy). The Yunnan University area seems to have a few backpacker places (Wenlin Jie and Qianju Jie near Dongfeng Xilu).

The truth is that I am just looking at the LP and guessing, but this seems to better than nothing given your situation. The Camellia Hotel is a cheap place to stay and drop your bags if you still are looking for a place to hang your hat. I hope others repond to your post soon. I feel for you and hope things work out. At least the weather is nice in Kunming!

JM

monju · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 89 Location: Wutaishan, China

I'm in Jinghong in Xishuangbanna.
The college I'm teaching at is always looking for teachers (because the pay and conditions they offer are so poor!)
Having said that it's not a bad place and if you're deparate you could do worse.
If you're interested PM me and I'll make some enquiries.
I also know a lovely American man in Kunming who seems to have some contacts and can speak Chinese, I could try to put you in touch with him if you want.

monju · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 89 Location: Wutaishan, China

I'm in Jinghong in Xishuangbanna.
The college I'm teaching at is always looking for teachers (because the pay and conditions they offer are so poor!)
Having said that it's not a bad place and if you're desparate you could do worse.
If you're interested PM me and I'll make some enquiries.
I also know a lovely American man in Kunming who seems to have some contacts and can speak Chinese, I could try to put you in touch with him if you want.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Jinghong is not a bad place but it is small and relatively isolated. By express bus you can reach it in about 12 hours. I have heard about that institute in Jinghong previously mentioned; it has had FTs for years but they seem to get a little bored of the place after a while. Jinghong does have a lively backpacker scene, though. It is near the Laotian border.

Kunming is not a good place to hang out without funds. I encountered a rather corrupt university realm. Few will hire legally, and fewer still pay you adequately. They know the demand for jobs is higher than supply.

Your next alternative might be to call on the owner of the Buckland school who can find a school for you relatively quickly:
(0) 133 07 73 15 33 (Owen) in Guangxi province).

He will transfer you to a school that he knows is one teacher short.

Volodiya · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 8:02 am Post subject:

All nice offers of assistance. In your situation, short of money and short of time in the country, I'd jump at them.

Kunming is not a place you want to be looking for a job in- nice town, too few opportunities for work. At last count, there were four thousand missionaries here looking for teaching jobs. (I do exaggerate, but I don't jest.)

SOULTRAVELLER · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Canada

Thank you all for your generous assistance. I'm still here, still looking, yet still optimistic that with some persistance, things will pay off. Peace.

Volodiya · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 4:23 am Post subject:

Soultraveller,

How about a little feedback for those who took an interest in your situation.

I understand you got a job offer in another city and have already left Kunming. Congratulations on finding something that quick!

Care to share any of the particulars?

yaco · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 473

Go to Cambodia !!!!

Volodiya · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:02 am Post subject:

yaco, was this advice intended for me, or Soultraveller?