Job Discussion Forums

nik_knack0828 · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 109 Location: Chengde, PRC

Okay! So, I'm going to China!

I should be arriving on Feb 9th. I have my plane ticket. Everything is arranged.
I'll be working for a vocational college in Shijiazhuang. The job was set up by an organization called "New Times" or the "Foriegn English Teachers resource Network." I found thier website at www.teachinchina.cn. So far, everything seems to be going alright with them.
The only thing I'm a little concerned about is the fact I've never been away from home for more than 2 weeks before.
So, I'm writing today to see if I can pick up any penpals in Shijiazhuang (or I guess any where in China) that will still be around in Feb to keep me company.
I guess I should tell you a little about myself. I'm a nineteen year old, female, Canadian from Salmon Arm, B.C. I did a year of university, got bored (and unsure of my educaional goals), took a 120 hr. TESL course and decided to see the world a bit before settling down into school. I figure I'll try out teaching ESL, if I like it, I'll come back and get my B Ed. If I don't, I won't have wasted 4 years and $40,000 on a career that doesn't suite me. I'll take smething else.
Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna love it. Even if I don't, I'll still take the job as seriously as I can.
Anyways, this sorta went off topic. So, I guess I'm just looking for someone who'll be able to speak english to me once I've arrived. Please e-mail me at [email protected] Thanks!

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

There may not be anyone on this forum there, but it's a reasonable sized place, and you'll get to meet the local expat. community soon enough. Just don't spend too much time with them, or become dependent on them if you want to learn Chinese.

Jen2003 · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 11:01 am Post subject:

Niki, you will be pretty close to Beijing. Make sure you get there as much as you can because there's a lot to do there compared to Shijiazhung. Try to make it down to Shanghai too.

Keep online and keep in touch. Send me a message when you arrive in China.

Teflasia.com

Jen

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

nik_knack0828, tell me how things are going with "New Times International"? I am going to start working for them in June!!!

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

Nicky's gone back to Canada a few months back. I doubt if she still reads the boards. Check this recent thread

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=19072

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

nolefan,
Thanks, I have already read the post. I am just concerned about showing up to China with a tourist visa. I know that you are friends with the owners of New Times International. I am worried that I get stuck in China with no visa.

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

JZer,

Once upon a time I went through a really bad time here in China, mainly regarding my visa. Nolefan once offered to help me. His advice was to go to another agency who were making the same promises as just about every other school across China.

'New Times', managed to lift my ban from China and clear my 'false' criminal record. All they asked for in return was that I would let them find me a school.

If they can do this for me, then I'm sure they can do something as simple as getting your visa extended. We may be friends with 'New Times', but this doesn't mean we are willing to watch other people get screwed over too. We know what we are talking about.