Job Discussion Forums

abusalam4 · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 143

I hope there is someone who knows a bit about Bihai School of Foreign Affairs, Dagang District, Tianjin, China. They seem to be affiliated with the main campus of Tianjin Foreign Studies University.

Is there anything known with respect to payment, treatment of foreign teachers, honoring contracts, etc.

They might offer me a position but my first check on them revealed that they must a very high fluctuation of foreign teachers, and most of them obviosuly do not stay very long. I am also puzzled about the salary they offer: In my case, they offer 2500 Yuan/month for a B.A., 2900/month for M.A. and Doctorate in the first year, 2900 for M.A./Doctor in the second year, etc. Weekly teaching load is by 14 hours plus some occasional non-paid extra work. In case of illness, the teacher must pay his own food/medicaments in hospital which will be deducted from the salary.
Why should anyone go there as they obviously really pay below the suggested pay scale of the State Bureau of Foreign Experts (the latter indicates 3000+ Yuan for Bachelor, 4000+ for Master, 4500-5000+ for Ph.D.).

On their page, they say that they are working with several Australian universities to provide double certification for Bachelor graduates and that they have some foreign investment. They obviously can't be that poor, so why do they offer such a crap salary? Even the unemployed in my country get slightly more than that from their social welfare allowance.

If there is anyone who knows or has worked for them, I would be really eager to read your comments. As it looks like, I will not go there; there will be much better places. It is fine to have the choice.....

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

I think you've answered your own question. That, and Tianjin is a dump (be it in the city or the sticks)

abusalam4 · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 143

Yes, indeed - I knew I would not really want to go there, and meanwhile I have made a much better deal: I found a state-run college ion Quzhou (near Hangzhou), and they will offer me 5000 Yuan a month for 12 hours of weekly teaching load. I asked them to reduce my weekly teaching load from 16 to 12 hours a week, and of course, I would also accept a an according decrease in my pay in return. Otherwise, I might have got slightly over 5,000 Yuan (I got a Ph.D.). As I am a bit older, I do not want to do so many hours anymore and need my time for some other projects. And they seem to have accepted that after I sent them a copy of my book about Hangzhou (it is a translation of some traditional folktales and legends with reference to certain famous places of traditional cultural interest that I had translated from Chinese). I have made some suggestions how certain classes could be re-organised so that students won`t suffer. Very easy going people down there, I must say. My colleague whom I will succeed in his position there from 1st of Sept on has negotiated this on my behalf. And he says he had never had any hassle there, the flat is OK, the pay is fine and relationships (guanxi) also are OK. It is not the first time I am going to China, so I know a bit what to expect. And there are certainly places worse than the one I am going to. Maybe it is one of the best places a person like me could ever go to.

I have never been to Tianjin before but I know Beijing a bit. Thanks Shan-shan, for your remarks on the air in Tianjin; I could stand such an environment. I will be in China in a couple of month anyway and I will keep posting here in the Board and will share my experience here.

@Shan-shan - may I ask whether "shan-shan" means "mountain" (shan)? If I could see the Chinese character, I would be sure what it means but it is hard to tell it from the Pinyin version.

Anyway, have a good time. Hope all of you do well and and also have a decent job as I had been able to secure. Anyone down there does "deserve" it!

abusalam4 · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 143

I meant to say "I could NOT stand such an environment in Tianjin" that Shan-shan has spoken of. The Western Lake (Xihu)m in Hangzhou and the area aroujnd it will certainly be much nicer. Hope nothing has changed that much since I was there a decade or so ago. Hangzhou has been in my heart since I my first time there.....

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Hope nothing has changed that much since I was there a decade or so ago. Hangzhou has been in my heart since I my first time there.....

You will find Hangzhou GREATLY changed from a decade ago, I'd imagine. First off, the West Lake is much improved - - much more scenic and tranquil (well, if you can get past the fact that there is always a kazillion tourists there). There's been a lot more construction so you'll now find areas akin to Shanghai. Upscale, swanky shops, restaurants, and hotels abound. Sadly, the population increased and that brings horrendous traffic jams and congested sidewalks and roadways. Visit Xi Hu in the evening when the crowds have lessened a bit and you'll find a lighted wonderland. Sadly, in my opinion, that's about all the city has going for it now.

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

Let me guess. You responded to an ad saying "work in Beautiful Beijing! Just a bus away from Tian an men!"

8 hours later your bus stops in Tianjin and you are wondering if you are in The wizard of Oz part two.

I remember visiting one of these "bus stop away..." places. It was SO quiet when I got off the bus. A weird feeling but I am sure some may know what I am talking about.