Job Discussion Forums

Rhino · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:50 am Post subject: Small city anyone?

Hey, I'm teaching in a small town just north of Guangzhou called Yingde. I gotsta say it is so great here. Right now there are three of us teaching here. The population is about 100,000, and we really are stars here. The scenery is spectacular and the people are amazing. The company we work for pays us well and on time(they pay between 7-8000RMBs). I guess the bad news for some would be that we teach primary students and private school, but we dont mind. Theres also no McDonalds or Wallmart. It feels like REAl china here. I just wanted to encourage people that there are great jobs in China that pay more than 5000RMBs, and there are great places to live and teach here. Dont limit yourselves to big cities that are expensive and pay crap. The bad news is that we're leaving in July(that means 3 or 4 openings). Just thought I'd see if I could get some peoples wheels turning Smile

Cheers!

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

From my experience, there are quite a few folks teaching in small cities all over China. Most of the people I know prefer small cities.
Also keep in mind that the regulars at dave represent a small minority of the ESL teachers in the PRC..

Rhino · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 3:42 am Post subject:

Hey, good point! I hope the same is true about Latin America because reading postings on this site can make a person not want to go. I'm just trying to be a positive contribution I guess. Cheers!

Nate · Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 61 Location: Korea

So, my wheels are turning. Any more info you can offer up?

I will be looking to be employed and out of the USA by the time August rolls around. Very Happy

Philolinguist · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 4:46 am Post subject:

The newness of the small city I'm in wore off when I discovered that I can't find butter, cheese or spaghetti, among other things. Chinese food is fine but I don't want to eat it all day every day. The closest decent sized city, Luzhou, is about forty minutes away on the bus and I can't find those products there either. If I stay in China, my next stop will be in a much bigger city. Obviously night life of any kind is nonexistent and even if I go to Luzhou for the paltry offerings they have, I have to pay 75 yuan for a taxi back, since the buses don't run after 6pm. Yeah, the small cities rock. Confused

Rhino · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 5:49 am Post subject:

ya thats rough phil...I dont have it quite that bad. We've got 2 pumpin clubs and an MKJ(chinese version of KFC). I can also go to Guangzhou anytime and get cheese or butter.

Guest · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 5:56 am Post subject: SMALL CITY ANYONE?

I also prefer the "small" Cities, although mine has 850,000 people.

I still cannot buy CHEESE or DEODORANT and my nearest decent sized City is 3 hours by bus. I have been in Shanghai twice during the past month, but have still not been able to get my hands on any cheese - very frustrating.

We do not have a McDonalds in this City but we do have a K.F.C. which I used to go to quite a lot at first, but not much now.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Cheers, Rhino, and welcome to Guangdong; I am glad you like it here, as your enthusiasm is spurring me on to plan an outing to a small town I have not visited in many years; how far is it from Yingde to Zhaoqing, Qingyuan, Shaoguan or Conghua?

Irish Blood English Heart · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 9:59 am Post subject:

yeah I think I would like to live/work in a small city somewhere in the south. Access to a big city nearby would be nice too though.

Rhino · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:42 pm Post subject:

I've been asked for a lot of details on my PM and on this thread so I'll do my best. As far as the company...It called Morning Sunrise, but we were hired by Aipusen(they were helping out because its a new company). After the first semester they were not sure if there was going to be another one...untill enrolment doubled. Now they'll need four teachers for next semester which is'nt bad for a small town. My wife teaches Kindergarden to pimary grade 1, I teach grade 3 to grade 5. I have about 6 or 7 classes a day but no evenings(that could change but probably no weekends). Its a tough schedual sometimes but our pay reflects that. The city itself?... Its great unless you need fast food or western restaurants. Theres rafting and hiking and some decent night life. We've made tons of killer friends that dont speak English that are happy to buy you drinks and take you out for Qao mien at 2 in the morning. Its a 1 and a half hour train ride to Guangzhou and costs about 50 kwai return. My wife and I recieved 2 old beater motor bikes to get around so we boot around in the mountains on weekends. Damn...this sounds like a job posting! To be honest, its my first esl job over seas and my only complaints are some of the students, but I'd rather have a bad day here then at home. I will come back someday! Very Happy

Like I said my PMs are flooded and I'm trying to help...no tire kickers please

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Rhino · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:02 pm Post subject:

Thanks Steve! I come from a frosty place in Canada working 40hrs a week and I'll always try to remember how miserable I was doing that life. Sure I have crappy days and its rained here for 3 weeks, but oh how glorious it will be when the sun comes out! Very Happy

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

enjoy your stay.

Deborann · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 3:43 pm Post subject:

If you can find a Metro anywhere they should have all the cheeses you want - French, Oz, NZ etc. Where I am this works. I know there is a Metro in Shanghai - met the manager on a visit here the other day (when I was complaining about lack of printer cartridges for the printer they sold me). Got great service after that.

However, the Chinese version of Tim Tams is not it!!! Am hanging out for my Oz visitors to arrive with REAL TimTams.

Rhino · Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 12:19 am Post subject:

uhmmmm...I think you posted on the wrong forum