Job Discussion Forums

rottenflesh · Joined: 22 Apr 2010 Posts: 32

Hey guys!

I recently accepted a university position in Changchun (with some help from around here, so much appreciated!!).

Has anyone visited the city before? Any comments on the overall city, infrastructure, public transport, nightlife, beer selection (haha), shopping venues, people, etc. I will be teaching at Changchun Normal University, so if you have taught there - let me know!

I've read quite a few blogs, checked out videos on youtube, wiki'd, etc but would love to hear more first hand experiences!!

Cheers,
RF

edetoronto · Joined: 18 Jan 2011 Posts: 5

Hey RF!

I've just been offered a position with CNU as well (start date end of February).

Which blogs have you found? The only one I've found was through the canexchnage website.

I found some useful information about the city here (search Changchun) but I have yet to find anything on the university. If anyone has any experiences I would love to hear them as well.

Cheers and maybe see you in the near future!

E

rottenflesh · Joined: 22 Apr 2010 Posts: 32

PM sent!!

edetoronto · Joined: 18 Jan 2011 Posts: 5

Hey,

I tried to respond to your PM but apparently I don't have enough posts to do so...

Anyways, thanks for the links. Hope to talk to you soon!

AussieAtLarge · Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 11

I worked up there. It was a good situation. The people were nice, the area near the school was nice too. The wages were 17,000 RMB per month at the time, plus an on campus apartment. The weather gets really cold there, but not as bad as say Harbin. In the past I have found some nice positions in the northern sections of China.

Trifaro · Joined: 10 Nov 2010 Posts: 152

Sounds good.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

My friend pulls in 14,000 RMB in Changchun. Another only 9,000 RMB. I believe the salary to be possible.

Just because someone is unable or unqualified to secure a decent paying job, doesn't mean that others are unable to.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

Last year I was offered 11,000 rmb a month, plus another 4,000rmb a month working Saturdays, to continue working in a small city in Anhui.
I passed on the offer because I was the only foreigner in the city and I wanted to move somewhere that has a few more Western amenities.

Decent salaries are available to those that know where to look.

Trifaro · Joined: 10 Nov 2010 Posts: 152

I changed my original reply because I was having a good day. But, I seriously doubt anyone, anywhere earns 17k a month "teaching" Oral English in a university.

I think that when people state how much they make a month they should also include information about what kind of job they have - is it in a training center? If so, how may hours a week (including commute) or is it in an International school or teaching Accounting or whatever in a university. How may times a week do they see the students etc...

Sure, "high" salaries can be EARNED in China. I prefer the typical university job in China = less hours for basically the same salary.

I've written this before - in the past I made 14k to 15k depending on bonus at a training center. After taxes, rent, commute = around 9k to spend. Granted, that was in an expensive city, so the rent could have been cheaper. Say 10k to spend.

In order to earn that 9k or so to spend, I spent more than 40 hours a week (60 minute "hours") somewhat devoted to the job.

I took a step down and earned 13k a month (8k or so to spend) conducting Oral English classes at a well-known university in Shanghai, but still spent around 40 hours a week doing things (commuting) related to the job. But, no nights or weekends and longer holidays. I met those kids once a week.

I now have a bit more than 7k a month to spend for less than 20 hours of my time per week. I meet the stunards every other week = 1 plan every 2 weeks.

20 x 2 = 40 hours = 14k to spend v. 9/10k.

Those jobs aren't any better when you think about it. I'm not sure about you, but I didn't come to China to devote 40+ hours a week to a job.

Type about unqualified/unable to find a high salary = fool, in my opinion.

15k for a 6 day work week? 14k for probably 40 hours?

7k for 20 hours seems better to me.

I have 3 day weekends and as previously stated - No nights or weekends.

Either way, Good Luck to everyone and their choices.