Job Discussion Forums

[Bondi007]

I'll be moving to Dalian this month to undertake a one year teaching contract...other FT friends who work there claim that if you can get past the first 6 months or so...'life' in China will seduce you into staying longer... what's your experience?

[eslstudies]

I felt real regret when I had to [employer back home demand] return home initially, after 2 years.
A few years later, I got another chance, and landing in GZ felt like being back where I belonged: this time to SH for 3 years. In a year or two, the chance of a third and probably final employment stint beckons.
I could easily retire there. With a Chinese wife, that's a distinct possibility.

[Beyond1984]

Welcome to Dalian, Bondi.

After 30 months here I've just listed my place by Walden Pond for rent or sale. I'm busily closing out dollar accounts and converting all to rmb. I hope to buy an apartment here.

-HDT

"How does it become a man to behave toward this American government today? I answer that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it."
-Henry David Thoreau, "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience," 1849

[wailing_imam]

Yes, I only came for a 4 month stint, but then discovered that this place is a bit of a gold mine regarding savings. Have ended up staying for 2 years, achieved my piund sterling target and am happily back to SE Asia at the end of March.

[arioch36]

Yeah, I came over for just one year when my grad school became boring. then i figured i would stay the summer and bum around, using my flight money. So I taught a second year, had a great experience.
China presented different challenges then back in the stayes, and the actual teaching and other things I do seem more rewarding then teaching at a uni in the states, though obviously the money can't compare. When back the second summer without signing with a new school, then in August decided to come back for one more year. This is now my 7th

[laska]

What were you studying in grad school? Ever miss it?

[arioch36]

Three fields actually. I graduated with a double major psych and communication, aced the GRE's and both invited me. I was in the first year and a half of the Comm Phd program still taking Phd Psych and Ed psch classes. I had really liked the comm BS, but the Phd I felt was a lot of empty talk. Never met a group more in love with themselves then the Comm proffs, all trying to make a name for themslves by writing their books, and focusing on getting published

I was going to transfer into the Psych. The Pysch grad faculty were actually doing a lot of interesting stuff, a lot of hard work for a Humanities Phd. The Ed psych was easier, and both would lead me to teaching at a uni, the good life,

I loved being a professional student, had the greatest time. I miss that. But the empty publishing publishing publishing. 9/10 of all the stuff in the journal is BULL!, excuse my French. A prof would write something they really didn't care about just to be publiehed. How it works, is first you find out who are the editors of the journal you want to be published in. Then you do "research" that agrees with them. Promoting creative thinking and freedom of thought in the academic world? BULL BULL BULL

The way to succeed is to parrot exactly what someone wants you to say. Reseach grants? Do what every one else is doing, what the powers that be think is important. Never insist on your own idea, or never suggest (especially in humanities) that we look at something from more then one point of view. This was encouraged in the BS program, the kiss of death in the Phd field.

I'm sorry, what was the question again???

[JamesD]

Original plan was 2 months for a summer camp, going on 11 years.

[guruengerish]

Your comments are most enlightening and so positive!!

I taught for six years in Indonesia, but the pollution and the traffic got to me. Then an age limit was introduced, and so I returned to Australia to retire. HA! Costs are so high here, that my pension can't cover the rent, food and other silly things like power, and so it's been back to work.

I've thought about the possibilities of teaching in China for at least a year, and like so many of you, could be encouraged to stay longer.

I'm fortunate enough to be in good health, but how's the medical situation there?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts, especially about quality of housing, apartments, rent and general cost of living.

Later, I might ask about nice places to be, reasonable class sizes, but step by step.

[arioch36]

[hairuo]

Yes, came for one year, six years ago.

[kev7161]

My initial plan called for 2 years. I figured that would be long enough to get the travel bug out of my system as well as exploring "exotic" China and neighboring areas. Well, I'm in the midst of my 5th year but I only stay in China for the money. I was lucky enough to land a good-paying teaching job in a (mostly) okay school and now I'm working on saving, paying off the never-ending student loans, etc. How long will I stay here in the long run? I don't know. I'm in Thailand now and am enjoying it and always mull over a move here every time I visit. The people are so much more open and friendly and less judgemental than the Chinese. However, I realize it will be hard to find the kind of working situation I'm in currently.

[lionheartuk]

I came for one year only but am now into my 4th year. One reason I am still here is I got married to a Chinese woman one year ago. Had no problems with the schools I have worked in and have been asked to go back to one school next year. I would like to stay for more than 5 years but I have heard that one can only do 5 yrs then have to leave the country for one year before coming back. Don't know if that is true or not.
Not really looking to go back to England for a long while as I am happy here more so than I would be if I left.

[Moon Over Parma]

[Trish Flurman]