Job Discussion Forums

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

it is not the 30000 plus townships that have the worst postings..it is locations outside the major cities ..such as Geely....located outside Changping...which is outside Beijing...and directly across from a Cement plant with its adjoining roadway teaming with delivery trucks...no taxi service and little bus service..no fast food..no stores except what is on campus...and a thieves den of sorts masquerading as a couple of roadside restaurants....over an hour from town..high cost of travel for leisure activities...subway located a dirty taxi ride away.... an on top of it all..the teachers have to pay for their apartments...of course when you answer the ads..they claim that the posting is in Beijing...your first clue will be when you head out of the city in the company car..after having repeatedly ask for the location in regards to the city...only to be left in the dark until you cross the threshold of your new residence.... out of town...

Woolly · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 21

I spent 2 years living in the sticks, in the suburbs of a city which was pretty much like a very big village. I really liked it there, my school was surrounded by hills and fields, my students were really nice, my colleagues were really helpful and kind. I still have many good female friends there, but since coming to a big city (Wuhan) I find most of the women around my age to be really annoying and immature. Living in a small place was really interesting too because in the 3+ years I was there the place changed immensely. Some parts of the city are almost unrecognisable now. Living in a small place you get to see a much more traditional side too, like during festivals, weddings and people's odd superstitions.

The main drawbacks of living in a small town were that my school were really overprotective- they wouldn't even let me leave campus on my own (I didn't mind too much as I'd rather go into town with friends because I got so much attention as I was usually the only foreigner in town), and also the electricity and water supply weren't so good, and almost nowhere had heating or A/C. It could be boring at times too, but I now have a really high boredom threshold...

These guys can find jobs in small places (and big cities): http://www.owdc.org

I'm rather biased towards them as my 1st job in China was through them, and now I sort of work with them, as a trainer/conference organiser, not a recruiter, by the way.

W

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

woolly, with pay along these lines...http://www.owdc.org would be among the lowest paid...

Woolly · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 21

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Woolly · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 21

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

wooly ..I guess I would recommend doing it the other way..take the better posting first and then if you want to explore the more difficult postings..go for it..but the isolation and lack of amenities in small villages..make life in china more of a challage than is needed for a first timer...and as far as 3000 being enough..I really think it is going to limit your ability ...it is simply not enough unless the applicant has a retirement or additional income..my first posting was with the state for 3200RMB per month..and I will tell you I had to wok Sat and Sun. to enjoy an occasional meal at a nearby hotel..travel was limited cause of the cost...ad the bother of the small town school mentality ..along with the watching my every move..was enough to convince me not to sign up for another year..and glad I did..learned how to maximise my postings and pay..and have more opportunity to travel and now live housing that is comfortable and I enjoy the close location to western products..you can always learn Chinese anywhere...

Jordean · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 238

This idea of teaching in a real village (as opposed to a blighted suburb) has some real appeal. Does one find these gigs through recruiters? Are we talking primarily about private schools?

Sounds idyllic, assuming that one does not end up with the boss from the Underworld. Any enthusiastic country mice on this forum currently?

I have to admit that indoor plumbing would be pretty high on the criteria, however...

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Jordean · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 238

Thanks for that suggestion. As long as I don't have to missionize myself, that's not a bad idea.

Maybe a small town rather than a village. I have seen lots of Zhang Yimou movies and the villes look a bit bleak (on the other hand, a year or two would be OK).

China seems to have lots to offer in terms of variety of placements!

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

I once had a job in South Korea where I rented in the country and caught a bus to the city to teach. I lived in a shed with a light and heated some water up on a little gas stove to wash with and used a ground toilet outside.

Where I live now in China I could do the same thing easy. My city has one million population and there are heaps of small country towns nearby with a good bus service to the city. I often go to see a friend in one about 30 minutes out.