Job Discussion Forums

[wanderer]

Most university jobs seem to offer on campus housing.

Anyone living in such an arrangement care to comment on what it's like? Do you have privacy? Freedom? Do you find yourself confined from the public?

Your comments would be welcome

[yaco]

Dear Wanderer

I would strongly suggest off campus housing if you are a single person. On campus housing can be acceptable if you are a married couple although it can be draining.

You will find these issues must be considered

1) People ie ( teachers, administrators ) will be watching you. eg One day I was chatting to a Chinese colleague online who wished to visit my apartment to talk. (Their office is directly across from the foreign teachers dormitory ). This teacher was looking into my dormitory and suggested that my gate was closed.
2) Staff or students will drop in at any time. Often when you are cooking, showering, visiting the WC
3) They may screen your visitors. The school got shitty with me and barred visitors. The crazy thing is ,once I was aware of this situation, I organised for the foreign teachers to bring visitors to my apartment.
4) If you go out at 9.00pm or 10.00pm you may be asked questions.
5) If you want to have a late night, you must wake up the security guard or jump the fence.
6) They look at what time you rise in the morning. Except for one morning, I had all afternoon classes so there was no reason to wake up at 7.00am each day. Chinese people believe that if you wake up early in the morning, you are a hard worker even if you do no work.
7) It is problematic whether friends can stay overnight at your apartment. There is often a morality clause in employment contracts.
You may be treated as a child.


4)

[Minhang Oz]

Its a matter of luck as to what situation you find yourself in. Yaco has correctly pointed out some of the downers. My college doesn't permit students to visit FTs rooms unless you inform the desk attendants beforehand. The "no overnight visitor" clause is fairly standard, though they don't seem to worry if other foreigners are the guests.
On the upside, you're only minutes from your classroom, and in between lessons you can come home. The 2 hour lunch is still standard in many areas- a bummer if it takes 30 minutes to get back to your apartment. On campus security is pretty good, and I've had no breakins during 4 years at 2 different schools. I've had friends report unauthorised entry to their rooms by people with keys yhough.
Another plus is that if you have problems [and you will!] with plumbing, electricity, appliances etc, there are usually handymen on campus at no charge.
Also of course, housing is one of the great perks of the job. If I was off-campus here in Shanghai, I'd be 3000 rmb poorer.

[Roger]

The pros and cons of on-campus housing have been listed expertly. Let me then add my thought that if the uni or college offers you housing it would be a reasonable thing for you to accept it. Most of the times you can't refuse it any way.
Most cities in China have an underdeveloped housing market, so it is very difficult for you to locate a flat for rent. You would in fact need special clearance from the police ("Public Security Bureau") to do that, and your rented premises would be under surveillance too! There is nothing more unsettling than if the local police check out on you in your rented home!

But it is, unfortunately, very true that your employer, your colleagues and students will intrude on your privacy.
BUt that is part of living in nominally-socialist China!