Job Discussion Forums

metodd1 · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 10 Location: here and there

Anyone work for or been to Xi'an International University? I'd like to hear some opinions on the school and accommodations, as well as where it is located (YuHuaZhai)...just looking for anyone familiar with Xi'an and that area.

Also, Hangzhou and Guangzhou -- know of any good places to work in these cities?

I got a job offer from Alcanta in Guangzhou, but after reading all the negative stuff about it on here and looking over the contract (40 hours a week, 22 classes) I decided to decline that offer.

I am really considering Xi'an Intl, but I'd be happy to hear about it before I accept.

Thanks--

Mr. Newbie.

saint57 · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:31 am Post subject:

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Many top-level universities in the mainland of China have been revamped and given new names. I don't know if yours is one of those. There used to be some interest from FTs in positions with Xi'an Translators College, now rebaptised Xi'an Fanyi College (the middle part being the Chinese word for "translation").
I have doubts that their ways have changed for the better but I can say I would love revisiting Xi'an. It's a good place to get acquainted with charming old China (and its modern avatar).

Spiderman Too · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:12 am Post subject:

A friend, Kevin ( http://kevinblissett.eml.cc/intro.htm ), works at Xi'an Hi-Tech International School. Drop him a line and he might give you a general heads up on life in Xi'an, and may even know something about the university.

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

metodd1 · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 10 Location: here and there

UPDATES:

I got in touch with one current teacher and a former teacher at this school. I have also tracked down a couple of blogs from current/former instructors. The two teachers I have emailed back and forth with say that the school is legit, has about 30,000 students and that the accomodations are among the best in china. The pictures of the apartments that the school sent me are apparently real (even though I was skeptical at first), and it looks really nice - modern, hardwood floors, etc. The university was formed in 1992, and it's private. One of the teachers gave me tips on what classes I would want to teach and which ones I would want to avoid, which adminstrators are good and which ones are pains. They also told me that the school did not short-change them or try to screw them out of any money. One teacher has been there 3 years, and said they have been "good years". The other teacher says he is kind of ambivalent about the place -- the accommodations are good, but it is in a crappy area outside Xi'an, and you have to bus it or cab it to get into the city. He said the campus is a nice oasis and there is a separate, gated community where foreign teachers live, but that outside the campus is pretty bad. Some classes are good, some are bad.

Whatever other info I get I will post on here... I'm considering their offer. They have answered my questions promptly and without complaints (I have asked a LOT of questions), I have verified that the person I am working with is an employee of the school (she is the FAO), and their Z-visa procedure is by the book.

CJD · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 116

I know this thread is a couple years old, but does anyone have any recent info on this school? Good to work for? Feel free to send me a PM Smile