Job Discussion Forums

Julia Girl · Joined: 15 Mar 2003 Posts: 82 Location: Kunming

Hello AGAIN. Very Happy

Yes, I keep bugging you all about the schools and contracts. Okay, I have finally signed with Kunming Guanghau school. Yes, I know it's a chain school Confused

, I put off all my offers from universities offering more money for this package.
Here it goes

.
First of all, I teach a max of 16 hours (45 minute hours) weekly for three months out of the week (yes, I only work 3 weeks a month with ALL weekends off! yeah baby! Cool

) and then I get 7 days to travel or do whatever I want Laughing

each month (confirmed by a school teacher). I will be paid 4300RMB a month, plus health, plus roundtrip ticket cost (to be returned to me apon arival, they will also pay me back for my visa cost (have visa cost repay in writing, or at least a printed e mail). I will get 2200 travel allowance plus free "western style food" Question

. I know what they think of as western is really kind of gross. I prefer the chinese meals or to cook myself or perhaps a starvation diet would work for a bit as long as I had coffee LOL. I also get 5 hours of chinese lessons per week and can sit in on as many of the student's chinese classes as I wish (does this make sense?) They also have a wonderful and plentiful supply room Smile

(a techer who has arrived early has been sending me info on the sly). The apartments are huge from what I have heard from the other American already there. In fact, she says they are too big for one person, however at my request, I will not be sharing with anyone. I will have internet access in my room with a school provided computer (Don't worry, I have lists of many proxy servers so they won't be able to trace my e mails or where-abouts on the net (ie DAVES) as well as heat and airconditioning which shouldn't really be needed in Kunming anyway. I have heard about problems with mice in the area, but with a cat in my room, i don't think mice and bugs will be a problem (they sense the cat and move on to the next apt.). They have also warmly welcomed my cat! (no jokes about warming cats please, no little tiger soup here!). They sent a letter saying he was most welcome and invited to join us in Kunming.
So can you pros out there tell me how this sounds? Did I do okay? Is anyone else going to be in Kunming this year? I am leaving in a month and can't wait to get there and get settled in. Can anyone else offer any advice on the school or the city of Kunming? I am not looking to save any money while I am here (why bother), just to teach, learn Mandarin, and keep my cat safe, Sunuru, please don't give me hell about my cat or I will put a voodoo hex on you! Twisted Evil

kimo · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 668

I get the feeling you're kind of rubbing it in. Mad

The conditions you state sound favorable. Smile

Is the school in a good location not far from shopping and other places to hang out with all that free time you will have? Will you be allowed, or able if you want, to seek other employment? (Might not want to ask this question directly.)

Julia Girl · Joined: 15 Mar 2003 Posts: 82 Location: Kunming

A lot of people seem to be making salaries like 8000 RMB per month. I was hoping that perhaps the 3 weeks a month thing would balance that out somewhat........ Embarassed

Count_Fathom · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 92

Don't worry a bit about the 8 000RMB thing. You'll be more than comfortable on your wage. I'm desperately envious, and would love an email for a contact in that school. That's the deal I'll want through the 2004-2005 school year!

Count_Fathom · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 92

Don't worry a bit about the 8 000RMB thing. You'll be more than comfortable on your wage. I'm desperately envious, and would love an email for a contact in that school. That's the deal I'll want through the 2004-2005 school year!

kimo · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 668

Forget about other people if you're happy and satisfied. The grass is always greener somewhere else. You're going to teach 48 classes (3 x 16) a week at 45 minutes per class. That's 36 hours of instruction time for which you will make 4300. You will be earning about 120RMB per hour for your time with your students and you get some good benefits -- health insurance for one. That's not bad. Some major universities offered me 2900 and no airfare and no insurance for the privilege a couple of years ago.

Julia Girl · Joined: 15 Mar 2003 Posts: 82 Location: Kunming

Count, I sent you a PM about the school.

Kapt. Krunch · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 163

Julia...you are awful lucky!!! Shocked

I hope that they don't try to imprison you. In my limited experience...the better the treatment ..the more they feel they can restrict and constrict. Evil or Very Mad

Julia Girl · Joined: 15 Mar 2003 Posts: 82 Location: Kunming

Thanks, I'm starting to feel better about not taking one of those 8000RMB+ jobs I keep hearing about on here.