Job Discussion Forums

[btt73]

...if you were scheduled to leave for China in just over 24 hours' time, and you hadn't heard from your employer in two weeks?


Tomorrow night (US time) I leave for Chengdu. I will (hopefully) be teaching at a university that seems to be, from all my research, reputable and above board. They arranged for my Z visa and have generally been responsive throughout this process. But neither of my contacts at the university have responded to my e-mails this week. I last heard from them the week before spring festival, when they asked what flight I'd be coming in on - they said they'd be there to pick me up. I sent them my flight info, so they know I have booked a ticket and when I will be showing up.


On sunday I sent the FAO an e-mail asking a few questions. Not hearing back from her, I sent my other contact the same questions yesterday. Haven't heard back from him either. I understand the university is on vacation, but am I wrong in finding this strange? Are these people just not checking their e-mail, or is this an incredibly disrespectful way of conveying that they no longer want me to work there?


Either way, I'll be there in 48 hours time. If they really want to cut the cord they'd be better off e-mailing me, rather than finding me there in person, jet lagged and ornery.


Any insight from people with more experience dealing with Chinese universities (which is to say, any experience at all) would be much appreciated. Maybe I should ask for your Chengdu hotel recommendations as well.

[tomstone]

I would be a little concerned; however, the Spring Festival does really shut the place down. Keep trying to contact them, that's all you can do.

[Jayray]

[ttorriel]

You say that they arranged for your Z visa? Does that mean you actually have it now? If so, then I'd not be too worried. You should have made sure and arranged that they pick you up at the airport and take you to your apartment/house/etc. This all said, it's still the holiday here and not everyone is returning to work this week as scheduled.

Personally, I'd not be too worried, but it's YOU that has to suffer any ill effects here.

Call them and make sure they know you'll be here, and ask them to come get you!!

[thefuzz]

Don't email...call them. The price of a 5 minute international call to ease your mind will save a lot of headaches later.

[theincredibleegg]

I wouldn't worry about it. They don't arrange a Z-visa just like that.

[peruisay]

You have a Z-Visa and they know when you're coming in. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Have a good backup plan in case someone forgets to pick you up. Find a good hotel or hostel online and get its name and address written in Chinese characters. Hostels are cheaper and often more used to working with foreigners than Chinese hotels.

You could even check couchsurfing.com; there should be a sizeable expat community in Chengdu which could help you out.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

fortunately, chengdu has several decent hostels. sam's hostel, sim's cozy guesthouse, and mix hostel among others. all are fairly decent i think (only have first hand experience at sim's myself).

[The Voice Of Reason]

btt73,

From what I make of your situation; You have a job there and (if someone remembers) you'll get picked up as arranged. Because of New Year folk have been off, away from the Uni, and it would not have occured to anyone 'responsible' that they ought to have kept you in communication. When you meet your FAO and others you could ask them about it / complain, but it wouldn't make anyone there want to improve any procedures, all you would get would be "But this is China! Spring Festival!", and they'd honestly feel that ought to be enough of an answer. It is a pre-China test of patience.

[tomstone]

[Cdilts]

Yeah, I was trying to organize buying flight tickets to Changchun a few weeks ago and when my school would be able to show me around etc. There was a TOTAL blackout of communications during New Years/Spring Festival.

Finally I simply emailed them and said that if I couldn't get through before such-n-such a date then I wouldn't come, and they replied within a few hours.

[tomstone]

So, how about an update, btt73, did you hear anything?

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

If I was a newbie to China, I'd naturally worry.

But echoing what others have said, China really does go to sleep during the Chinese lunar New Year and besides if they got you the visa, they are responsible for you.

They could potentially get in doo-doo for inviting you and then leaving you to the wolves.

[btt73]

[Mister Al]

Good luck. Enjoy the madness that is the PRC.