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Peak
Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 15
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 Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 2:56 am Post subject: Hunan, Hubei, Inner Mongolia ,Henan, Shanxi, and Shaanxi. |
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Hunan, Hubei, Inner Mongolia ,Henan, Shanxi, and Shaanxi.
I read on here that for a newbie like me with no degree or qualifications i should try these places.
any knowledge would be great about teaching in these places.
many thanks |
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dave_merk
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 208
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 5:00 am Post subject: |
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Random nugget of information that I somehow know:
If you marry your Japanese fiance then you can get a spouse visa to live in Japan for virtually as long as you want. I think the actual duration is two years, but the spouse acts as your gaurantor and you just keep on renewing your visa each two years. Also, if I'm not mistaken, you can then be hired for whatever job an employer thinks you're qualified for.
I wish they'd institute something similar in China. |
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Steppenwolf
Joined: 30 Jul 2006
Posts: 1769
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 6:56 am Post subject: |
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Of the provinces mentioned, I would recommend only SHAANXI or HUBEI; Hunan to some extent though I am not fond of its climate and general backwardness.
Shaanxi has thrilling Xi'an to boast, and An'kang is also an interesting town.
Shanxi is China's armpit - probably the worst polluted place on the face of Earth! There is only Pingyao to mention in a glowing light (as a town) plus Wutaishan as a major tourist destination (where you can get away from the grime and gray sick-making air of the valley bottoms). Shanxi is a coalmining centre.
I don't know too much about HENAN; some like it, though. The Henanese, unfortunately, seem to suffer under a generally unflattering reputation nationwide... It's not exactly a laid-back province but you can survive there. |
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samhouston
Joined: 17 Jan 2007
Posts: 418
Location: LA
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 7:03 am Post subject: |
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Man, luckily I portrayed myself as at least attempting to gain some qualifications on another forum today, or Tofuman would have laid into me as well.
In addition to the OP's list, are there reputable cities in which to teach in Northeast China? I'd much rather brave a fierce winter than endure a miserable summer. Plus, it's close(er) to Russia and NK, giving an already foreboding land that extra bit of intrigue. |
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dave_merk
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 208
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 7:19 am Post subject: |
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| samhouston wrote: |
Man, luckily I portrayed myself as at least attempting to gain some qualifications on another forum today, or Tofuman would have laid into me as well.
In addition to the OP's list, are there reputable cities in which to teach in Northeast China? I'd much rather brave a fierce winter than endure a miserable summer. Plus, it's close(er) to Russia and NK, giving an already foreboding land that extra bit of intrigue. |
I live in Harbin, a city that is hated by, I would say, 90% of the FTs who work here. You say you'd rather brave the fierce winter, but let me tell you...it's one hell of a winter. Also, the vast majority of schools in this city are not able to handle your documents or get you the permits you need. However, there's an OK nightlife with bars and such, if you're into that kind of thing. There are two bars that the expats go to mostly, but they get old quickly. Aside from that, there aint much. You'll really need to find something to do to occupy your time if you come out here.
As for the Russian and NK, thing: you'll be pulling your hair out when you get asked, "Are you Russian?" for the billionth time. It happens to me at least once a day, no joke. |
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HunanForeignGuy
Joined: 05 Jan 2006
Posts: 989
Location: Shanghai, PRC
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 10:37 am Post subject: |
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| dave_merk wrote: |
| samhouston wrote: |
Man, luckily I portrayed myself as at least attempting to gain some qualifications on another forum today, or Tofuman would have laid into me as well.
In addition to the OP's list, are there reputable cities in which to teach in Northeast China? I'd much rather brave a fierce winter than endure a miserable summer. Plus, it's close(er) to Russia and NK, giving an already foreboding land that extra bit of intrigue. |
I live in Harbin, a city that is hated by, I would say, 90% of the FTs who work here. You say you'd rather brave the fierce winter, but let me tell you...it's one hell of a winter. Also, the vast majority of schools in this city are not able to handle your documents or get you the permits you need. However, there's an OK nightlife with bars and such, if you're into that kind of thing. There are two bars that the expats go to mostly, but they get old quickly. Aside from that, there aint much. You'll really need to find something to do to occupy your time if you come out here.
As for the Russian and NK, thing: you'll be pulling your hair out when you get asked, "Are you Russian?" for the billionth time. It happens to me at least once a day, no joke. |
I quite liked Harbin -- that I can tell you. Yes, the winters were dreadful but my Harbin friends were the best friends that I made during my stay in China. Harbin cooking is not abhorrent at all and Harbin beer is probably the best in China...particularly the local green bottled variety that they do not export to the rest of China that sells for only RMB 1.00.
As for things to do, well, sorry, Dave, I went out more in Harbin than in the rest of China. My bosses invited me, my colleagues invited me, and the parents of my students actually made an effort to get to know me. In Harbin, personal relations really could make doors open -- at the PSB, the FEB, etc., and the parents of my friends used them on my behalf. There are lots and lots of good restaurants in Harbin and Dave, I don't know why you haven't found them. Harbin summers are great and glorious but if you don't look closely, you might not see them. The economy in Harbin is a tad more depressed than in the rest of China, but it is improving these days, and 1 RMB goes farther in Harbin than in other places of China.
Finally, for those with no degrees, if a Harbin school wants you badly enough, it will cause doors to be opened and the paperwork to appear without a problem.
I also worked in Hunan and let me tell you ChangSha is quite livable, never mind what Steppenwolf writes to the contrary (so contrary at time). There are four distinct seasons and it is a rapidly developing city. There are cities in Hunan that are just horrible -- XIANGTAN being one of them -- so just avoid it like the plague. The locals are NOT as Roger wrote; I actually found them to be quite welcoming in most cases and helpful; sure, I had some terrible experiences, that is for sure, but all-in-all, you could do worse. In Xiangtan, the foreign teachers that I met were a rather strange bunch. Otherwise in ChangSha they were really, really great. And ChangSha has everything Western that your paltry salary will allow you to buy.
I spent one summer in Inner Mongolia at a summer camp, and if you like Wyoming, or Alberta, or places like that you, you will adore Nei Mongu. Again the people were quite welcoming, country folk. The winter is even longer than in Harbin but the countryside is just beautiful and the air is really clean (with Hothot being the exception). |
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james s
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
Posts: 676
Location: Raincity
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by james s on Sat Sep 29, 2007 2:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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hairuo
Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 473
Location: Somewhere in China
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| Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 10:14 am Post subject: |
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| I lived and worked for about 5 years in Hubei before I decided to try the big city of Guangzhou. Hubei is a pretty decent place. I found Henan to anti-foreigner. I agree with Step about Shanxi... Xian is a great place to visit, even two or three times. Never spent anytime in the other locations. Hubei has lots of places that have old culture and historical importance. Wuhan has the distinction of being one of the hottest cities in the summer. However, it does offer more Western amenities. I would recommend Hubei. |
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Peak
Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 1:01 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks very much for your comments here guys and a special thanks to ADMIN. Lucky i had my internal martial arts switched on to deflect that speculation.
Thanks again! |
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jammish
Joined: 17 Nov 2005
Posts: 1704
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| Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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| My experience of Hunan cuisine so far is that it is some of the best in China. is that true of the food in Hunan itself? |
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