Job Discussion Forums

seagull · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Perth, Australia

I'm looking at going to China for the first time and after researching some of the best places to live for me, I picked Nanjing. I've been offered a job at a school there called the Jiangsu Institute of Economic & Trade Technology (a real mouthful, eh?) and have received the letter of invitation from them to take to my local Chinese Consulate to obtain a Z visa.

I've done a search on this forum and was suprised to find no info at all on this place. Just wondering if anyone familiar with the Nanjing area may have heard of this school? I believe it is near the Nanjing city centre (or close to it) according to Google maps it's on one of the main streets, Guanghua Road. I know this is a long shot, and I am not expecting any responses, but if anyone has heard of this school? I'd like to hear any info.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Normally, people check these things before signing the contract. If we tell you the place is a house of horrors, what will you do? I had a lady contact me after she signed papers to come to the school at which I was teaching. I told her the truth about the place, she changed her plans and didn't come.

How about you?

frank d · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 155

OK. seagull, where to begin...

First of all, Hansen definitely has a point.

I lived and worked Nanjing the majority of the five years I was in China (2003-2008). I worked mostly for adult training centers, but also one old, "reputable" university (which was a nightmare) -- and interviewed with LOTS of other universities/colleges as well.

I've never heard of the one you named and are presently dealing with, except for the fact that it's gotten a very bad rap from posters on another ESL-related site that I visit daily. Do more web searching.

Are you dealing with a recruiter named Frank Zhang (he has several other aliases)? If so, RUN LIKE HELL! He has the absolute WORST reputation in the Nanjing/Suzhou/Shanghai area -- as well as other parts of China. I can send you TONS of negative stories about him. 100% crooked. I'm almost sure that he supplies Jiangsu Institute of Economic & Trade Technology with foreign teachers.

The fact that there appears to be no official website, is no surprise. That's true for a great many educational "institutions" in China -- and a high percentage of those that actually do have a website, the info provided (mostly marketing malarkey) is almost exclusively in Chinese, and is rarely (if ever) updated once it is uploaded.

In addition to what Hansen has offered, all I can advise at this point, is to ask LOTS of additional, probing questions about the school, and as importantly, your dwelling. If all you get in response are answers like: "Don't worry about that," "This is China," and "We're not sure... maybe..." then forget those guys. Don't bother going the consulate. If they're vague and not forthcoming now, Hansen and I know that it will be far worse after arrival, as they know they've "gotcha!"

Good luck, and move very cautiously (or quickly in the opposite direction).

seagull · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Perth, Australia

Thank you Frank, I really appreciate your response.

Fortunately the recruiter isn't "Frank Zhang" but a "Cherry Cui". I will definitely pay heed to your advice and see if I can find some info from other forums. The type of reponses you provided are very helpful and I'll look out for this when I contact the school.

And Hansen, point taken, cheers.