Job Discussion Forums

[vipsaloon]

I just got a job offer with "Star College of Harbin Normal University" and I'm looking for details about the school. This is the school's information:

Steven Lv
International Exchanges & Cooperation Office
Star College of Harbin Normal University

Email: [email protected]
Tel.: 0086-451-88121234 Fax: 0086-451-88121888

1 Hengxing Road,
Limin Development Zone,
Harbin. 150025
China

I also find it weird that an university recruiter would be using a hotmail email address. I am worried it is a scam. If anyone has worked for them or know someone that has, please share. I have done a quick search on google and found some bad reviews on abroadchina and a few posters mentioned how it's a bad school on daveseslcafe. Also, there was no phone interview before I got an offer. I find that odd considering I will be teaching English there. Thanks in advance.

[ttorriel]

There is are a lot of bad reports about this school - as you know via Google and here I think. I browsed through reports about this school when I first came to China and wanted to live up north.

As for e-mail - most people use non-university domain addresses since many, many countries block many China based domains in e-mail systems due to the majority of spam originating from China. Also, hotmail, gmail, and other providers provide nice, large storage space for all the incoming documents of prospective employees that easily overwhelm university allowed space.

Simply stay away from this school in my opinion.

[maryb1]

I was curious about this one too. I found one post on eslcafe that clearly says to stay away from this place (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=601212#601212).
They didn't say why. Maybe you should PM them. But I see you are a newbie like me, so we can't right now

It seems the University of Canberra (Australia) has a partnership with Harbin Normal University (http://www.canberra.edu.au/partnerships/country/countries/china/offshore/hnu) and so does the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (http://uncp.edu/news/2005/chinese_eng_grad_prog.htm). This is with the Harbin Normal University, however... not the Star College of Harbin Normal University. And I don't know if the partnerships still exist.

But London South Bank University has a partnership with both Harbin Normal University and Harbin Normal University Star College.
http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/php4-cgiwrap/internat/displayReps.php?name=China&id=5&view=standard
For Harbin Normal University Star College, they give the same contact info as in the ad you posted + the website address:

Harbin Normal University Star College
1 Hengxing Road, Limin Development Zone,
Harbin 150025 P. R China
Web : www.starcollege.com.cn

There is an "about" page in English here on their website :
http://www.starcollege.com.cn/starcollege/guojihezuo/

There is also a longer "about" page in Chinese that you can translate with Google Translate
http://www.starcollege.com.cn/starcollege/about/

But maybe you had already found all that. Did you do a search in Google for: "star college" "harbin normal university" CV ? If you do, you will find two CVs (Jonathan Miller's and Jody Newman's). They both said they worked there and they both included their e-mail address, so you should probably contact them to find out more.

That's all I found. Oh, and in an ad, they said they were a private university.

No phone interview doesn't sound too good. You should request one.

[liammoulton85]

I worked at Star College in the 2007/08 academic year and problems were minimal. Lv Wenpeng whose in charge of foreign teachers affairs is competent and helpful. I know many negative threads can be found, but most of them are 5 years out of date and I heard from British associates that the woman who wrote most of them was mentally unstable. The pay isn't great but the job is largely stress free and you will be teaching university students with low college entrance exam scores. Nevertheless some of them were great.

[roadwalker]

[liammoulton85]

Normally I would be suspicious but after 3 years in China, probably about half of employers will just make you an offer because demand for foreign teachers greatly exceeds supply. Right now I'm in an international school in Guangdong, teaching Economics and I wasn't interviewed here. Therefore you have nothing to worry about? So are any of you going to Star College?

[shufon]

I also got a job offer from Star College of Harbin Normal University without any interview at all, simply sent them my resume and the response was a job offer.

I was skeptical at first but I have been able to get in touch with a former employee thanks to maryb1's recommendation. As well, Steven Lv gave me the email addresses of a couple of current employees. All of them have nothing but good things to say about the school.

The only drawbacks I've been able to find are the weather (-30 Celcius is what I've been told..) and that the school is located 30 minutes outside of Harbin. One of the current employees told me that getting into the city is somewhat of an inconvenience, but then again rural/urban location is only a personal preference.

I am still negotiating with the school on a few things, but if I can get the contract length I am asking for I will most likely take the job. If/when I get there, I'll be sure to update everybody on what I actually think about the school.

[liammoulton85]

Shufon, although it is maybe 30 minutes out the centre, it is still 2RMB (less than 20pence on the bus). There's plenty of shops that serve home comforts like peanut butter and pringles in the area. The canteen food isn't the best but its cheap and theres a great choice. It is certainly edible. Therefore you shouldn't need to go out other than on weekends.

All the best in making your decision.

[shufon]

Just posting an update.. I've been at Star College for a few days now and, although I have not started teaching yet, everything is going very smoothly. Their coordinator Steven Lv is very organized and great to work with, and all of the other faculty I have met so far are very helpful.

As for the location of the school, somebody told me it was inconvenient to get to the city, but I have not thought that at all so far. Getting to the city is a short cab/bus ride. There is also a development just minutes from the school where there are restaurants, hair salons, a supermarket, etc, so anything can be done without going into Harbin.

So far, so good. I will report more once I actually start teaching, but at this point I would suggest Star College to anybody who is looking to teach in China.

[liammoulton85]

Shufon, I'm glad to hear that. I bet the weather's pretty cold there now though. What will you be teaching exactly?

[shufon]

I am supposed to be teaching classes to prepare students for ACFEI (some Chinese accounting certification??) and possibly some financial management classes. I have been told by a few other teachers that they are difficult classes to teach as I will be conveying technical concepts in a foreign language, but I'm up for it.

As for the weather.... -24 Celcius last time I stepped outside. Yes, it is COLD. I have never experienced weather anywhere near this cold but I am adjusting ok.. I brought proper clothing so I am handling it the best anybody can. I am definitely leaving during January and February to go somewhere warm during break though, I don't think I would be able to handle much colder than this.

[liammoulton85]

Sounds like you're teaching in the Business department, though I heard it was merged with English. Anyway, it is easy enough to teach Business subjects. Just make sure you use plenty of activities and discussions. One disadvantage of Star College is that the classrooms were rather basic, but one can still work wonders with a blackboard. Good luck when you start, though you shouldnt need it. As long as you arrive on time, the management places little pressure on foreign teachers. The job which I'm in now is quite demanding, since its an international school in Guangdong, but then the pay is close to that of a teacher in a Western country so it balances out.

[kimiki]

*bump*

i got an offer from them too. i'm pretty interested-- would like to know how things are or ended up for the OP? thanks.

[liammoulton85]

Star College. You could do worse you could do better. The college is a 25 minute bus ride from downtown, but the area is not bad and is covered with good but cheap local restaurants. Also, Harbin is one of the few places in China you can find cheap decent local beers and bars due to the weather. The college is pretty basic with most classrooms consisting of a blackboard only. While the students aren't the most able in China, they are supposed to have all classes in English and many plan to study abroad. Therefore they are friendly and generally keen to learn. As for job security, this place is about as secure as places come.

For pay, Star College tends to pay the more or less the best wages in Harbin. Nevertheless, if you want to make really big bucks, its best to go to an international school down south like myself as schools and colleges in Harbin tend to pay relatively little. The workload is more intense in an international school but you get rewarded for your efforts. In Harbin Star, just turn up and put on a half-decent show, don't be late and the management will leave you alone. Steven Lv, the FAO is one of the best things about the place as he's always on hand to help and is never impatient or abrasive as some FAOs in China are.

Good luck.

[liammoulton85]

Star College. You could do worse you could do better. The college is a 25 minute bus ride from downtown, but the area is not bad and is covered with good but cheap local restaurants. Also, Harbin is one of the few places in China you can find cheap decent local beers and bars due to the weather. The college is pretty basic with most classrooms consisting of a blackboard only. While the students aren't the most able in China, they are supposed to have all classes in English and many plan to study abroad. Therefore they are friendly and generally keen to learn. As for job security, this place is about as secure as places come.

For pay, Star College tends to pay the more or less the best wages in Harbin. Nevertheless, if you want to make really big bucks, its best to go to an international school down south like myself as schools and colleges in Harbin tend to pay relatively little. The workload is more intense in an international school but you get rewarded for your efforts. In Harbin Star, just turn up and put on a half-decent show, don't be late and the management will leave you alone. Steven Lv, the FAO is one of the best things about the place as he's always on hand to help and is never impatient or abrasive as some FAOs in China are.

Good luck.