Job Discussion Forums

[Worldly]

Before committing to a lengthy, full-time contract in China, what are your thoughts on searching for and accepting a short-term volunteer position at a university or corporation?

BACKGROUND: I�ve reviewed most of the recent threads on Dave�s, re: pros and cons of teaching in China. To me, there appears to be considerable uncertainty and risk involved in signing any employment contract prior to arriving in China. I believe it�s possible to ascertain most job details through the FAO or a foreign educator already employed at the institution. However, working and living conditions (e.g., type/quality of housing accommodations) appear to vary considerably within a tertiary institution, and random processes might play a significant role in your assigned duties and apartment.

DISCUSSION: To minimize the risk of extreme disappointment after arrival for a lengthy contracted position, I�m considering a short-term volunteer position. A short-term volunteer position may allow me to sample China, an institution�s working conditions, the city, and the overall quality of life. If conditions and quality of life are mostly favorable, I hope to apply for a paid position. If conditions are terrible, my plan is to seek employment (or a different volunteer position) at another location.

CAVEAT: I�m fortunate to be in a financial position that will allow me to be unpaid for an indefinite period of time.

REQUESTS: I'm soliciting constructive feedback and ideas. If you have recommendations of agencies or institutions to contact to pursue a �quality� volunteer position, please respond. My preference would be the �second-tier� cities in China.

SYNOPSIS OF MY CREDENTIALS: Two (2) Master of Science (MS) degrees (one is a USA Executive MBA with a specialization in International Business); TESOL Diploma from a well-recognized institution; experience as a university lecturer and corporate trainer at the World Bank; extensive non-academic work experience in engineering, management, and foreign affairs.

In advance, thank you for your constructive commentary and assistance!

[Malsol]

[TravellingAround]

[Shan-Shan]

After reading your education and work experience synopsis, I wonder why you'd want to teach ESL in China. The work would likely numb your intellect. I suggest you investigate positions at learning institutes where you won't be dumped into a room full of forty students and expected to make them speak; that is, try pursuing an opportunity where you can utilize your extensive work experience beyond an Oral English class.

And please accept a wage: I'd hate to one day be in a position where the previous personally wealthy teachers lowered the pay scale to nil.

[clark.w.griswald]

If you do go the volunteer in China route make sure that it is with a charitable organization not a for profit organization that is benefitting financially from your decision to work for low or no pay.

I would recommend checking out charities back home to see if any of them have teach in China programs. Most of the organizations that are in China offering these sorts of positions are in fact recruiters or for profit businesses.

There are legitimate charitable and volunteer programs - just make sure that yours is one of them.

[no_exit]

There are very few legitimate opportunities to volunteer as an EFL teacher in China.

Volunteering for a corporation just sounds silly. Universities can afford to pay teachers a salary. It might not be a massive amount, but universities in China generally aren't charity cases unless you're working for Gansu Nationalities University or some other such place.

Basically you'll just be a) driving down the salaries for other FTs (of course not single handedly, but "voluneer" teachers in general make schools wonder why they should pay for something they can get a gullible foreigner to do for free) and b) helping a someone else to make money off the fruits of your labor.

If you really want to volunteer, try to find a foreign run non-profit organization or an NGO. Make absolutely certain that the people you're helping actually need your help. Don't be fooled by the "but China is developing country, we're so poor we can't afford English teachers" line. The fact is that there is money in China, and there's usually no such thing as a free lunch. If you're teaching English, the students are most likely paying for it one way or another -- even public education isn't free in China, and the better the school, the higher the cost. While it is, obviously, completely unethical to get a teacher to volunteer and then charge the students for that teacher's services, it is also (sadly) a very likely scenario.

Anyhow, volunteers obviously have good intentions, but I think they do more harm than good. Research the situation, perhaps even visit China first, and then decide if you want to volunteer and more importantly WHO you volunteer for.

[nickpellatt]

Im sure I will get flamed for this - but this is my real life experience good or bad, but I did first visit China on a volunteer teaching program....and it was with a profit making company rather than a charity.

The flavour of the thread so far makes me think I will get some stick for saying it!

Anyway, for me, it was a good move....I am not an experienced traveller, and would have been too nervous to travel on my own and see what happens.

Travelling this way meant I had a placement to join, and some structure on a program, and had the chance to meet like minded people, and share an experience with them.

The result of which is I have now been offered a paid position and I return to Hainan Province soon to take up a one year contract.....Some of the other volunteers I met have also had the chance to take up full time jobs, two teaching English in Hotels, one in a school in the capital city.

All of the above points made by other posters, are more than valid, and I think with your educational background it will be easy for you to find paid employment, and therefore the volunteer route will be expensive, and maybe a waste of money.....but it will make things easier for you, if like me, you are less experienced in travel and the classroom.

I certainly have no regrets for first visiting China in this way, although I do understand why people poo-poo the idea.

[Malsol]

[Worldly]

[Steppenwolf]

I think you will be disappointed by your China experience because of the CONTRADICTION in your attitude: volunteerism versus a "perfect", untroubled experience withno letdown.

Theessence of volunteering is to experience adventures, and these at the outset always promise you only one thing: unpredictable.

There have been western volunteers doing quite satisfying stints in China - the Peace Corps, and an organisation calling itself Khamaid that works for the benefit ot the rural and disadvantaged ethnic groups in SW China.

If you have the enterpreneurial and gung-ho attitude requisite of volunteers, then I am fairly positive you would fit into one of those organisations.

Read Peter Hessler's "RIVER TOWN" to get an idea of what volunteer work in a Chinese public school is like!

[vikdk]

[william wallace]

nothing

[nickpellatt]

[quote="vikdk"][quote]
And I always thought a major reason was to lend an extra-hand in situations of need � for example, do those volunteers who help out in relief-work type situations do it because of their love of adventure - or does it illustrate a desire to care in the most practical of ways ??? quote]

I think people apply for a variety of reasons - mostly good intentioned, but I will agree with Malsol, that volunteer programs CAN be damaging, as well as being beneficial.

Not everyone can take the two years that the Peace Corps may demand, so short term programs have an obvious appeal for someone looking to try and do something worthwhile with a trip.

Obviously there are some members of this board who have been working and travelling for some time, but for a young teacher taking a leap into the unknown....well I think it must be very daunting, and of course it is a brave and bold step to make, and I think these people will often look to travelling with an organisation purely for the security it offers.

It is the safe way to see if travel / teaching / community development work etc, is for you.....

And whilst I will admit I made mistakes when I have done volunteer work, as I am sure many people do...Ive also done some good things too.

Malsol, appreciate your honesty - but Im not looking for you to like me, but I hope when I am still working and posting in the coming months, you may start to help or respect me.

A forum can be a wonderful place to seek support and help, and Im here to try and learn a little and enjoy Daves Cafe at the same time

[TravellingAround]

[vikdk]