Job Discussion Forums

[Karl Sal]

I'm halfway through my second year teaching university in Zhengzhou, and as posters in a few other forums know, I'm ready to move out. I'd really like to go to Thailand, but there are a lot of perks and such that're hard to beat in this part of the world that are presented by China (don't want to go to Korea).

If I have to stay in China another year, I think I want it to be in Tsingtao - nice change of scenery, more exposed/open-minded people, sea food, more amenities, etc.

Anybody here have experience there they'd like to share or thoughts to weigh in with?

[askiptochina]

I haven't been to Qingdao yet, but the main thing holding me back is that I am not a sea person. I like to visit coastal places like that on the weekend (Boston, US; Kobe; Japan; Yeongduk, Korea).

There is a big Korean community here in Shenyang, and I understand the same in Qingdao. One of our students moved there last week because of his dad's company.

[Non Sequitur]

I have just finished a year in Qingdao. It's nice enough and similar to Dalian if you know it.
Way better beaches though and of course it was spruced up for the Olympic sailing regatta in 08.
It has an interesting history and many buildings from the German enclave times are retained down at the railway station (Western) end of the downtown.
Make sure that you know exactly where the school and accommodation are located. No more than a kilometre from the beach would be a good guide. There are state and private schools out at Licun which will take an hour (min) by bus each way. A sea breeze sets in about 1pm in the downtown area on summer days and that is a distinction from further inland where it can get very hot.
There is a well substantiated view that Qingdao employers collude to keep rates down. This is because it is perceived as a desireable location.
Happy to comment on specific employers if I know about them. PM me if you like. It's 50 mins from BJ and about 40 from Dalian by air. Daily Dragon Air flights to/from HK - about 3 hours

[slareth]

To the above poster, did you mean LiCang? I know there are universities there but do not know LiCun.

There are more than a few Uni's in Qingdao but yeah, it is a desirable location. Lots of private schools to choose from. I have only worked in Qingdao so I have nothing to compare it to but finding work should not be difficult.

Winter here is windy as hell so it can be pretty cold (for me anyway) summer is very humid.

Lots of tourists in the summer. Koreans, Japanese, and Chinese from all over come here. With that comes a lot of pickpockets looking for easy pickings. I have never had any trouble but many of the people I speak with have and I have watched teams of pickpockets at work in the Taidong section of town where I live. They may be scumbags but it's fairly impressive to watch them at work.

The nightlife here is decent. Whatever your tastes, you can find what you want. Avoid the Jazz Club.


Good Luck

[Non Sequitur]

Oops
I DO mean Licang as in the district as opposed to Licun which I think is the township.