Job Discussion Forums

Karl Sal · Joined: 28 Nov 2010 Posts: 27 Location: Zhengzhou, China

I have an offer from a school in Rizhao for next year - not an amazing contract, but decent enough, and I definitely want to get away from Henan and preferably near the ocean.

What's people's take on the city? It seems to get pretty positive feedback and has some interesting things going for it, but I hadn't exactly heard much about it prior to this offer.

I guess one main question that I still have a this point is - is there a decent ex-pat scene? How about foreign amenities?

Karl Sal · Joined: 28 Nov 2010 Posts: 27 Location: Zhengzhou, China

Rephrased/refocused the questions, trying again.

Steve_McQueen · Joined: 04 Dec 2009 Posts: 37

I was looking into Rizhao a few months back due to the Radio and TV University there. I did all the research I could find on the city (endless google searches, google picture searches, even found a teacher's blog).

This is what I found:
-It's destined to become a large port/hub for shipping. When I mean destined, the port is expanding, but no where near the size of Tianjin or other large port cities.
-It's considered a green city, the air should be clean.
-The uni there that advertises on Chinatefl/Abroadchina.org is basically a unigwon (pardon my Korean - Uni/academy) where you will teach all ages (kids) and may have to work more hours and do extra work on the weekends (according to a blog that I found).
-The expat scene is further up north in Qingdao. The town has few expat scenes and probably only a handful of expats (I'm guessing 20-30, but I could be wrong)
-Saw pics of the city, looks like any other 3rd tier Chinese city.
-If you want to ride motorcycles, probably possible as there isn't a lot of traffic and DL for foreigners might be available.

Once again I really searched the hell out of this city online, but I could not find much info on it.

Steve M

JustLuke · Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Posts: 26 Location: UK

I worked in Rizhao a handful of years ago at the Radio and TV University. It was the most positive experience that I've ever had in China - both in terms of the city and my employer.

But things change so quickly over here, who knows what it's like now?

Karl Sal · Joined: 28 Nov 2010 Posts: 27 Location: Zhengzhou, China

Steve_McQueen · Joined: 04 Dec 2009 Posts: 37

Here's the blog that I found:

http://ingaeglite.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-job-this-year.html

http://ingaeglite.blogspot.com/2010/11/what-i-did-on-sunday.html

Steve M

Karl Sal · Joined: 28 Nov 2010 Posts: 27 Location: Zhengzhou, China

Thanks, that blog was one of the most informative things I'd seen thanks to the pictures.

Wound up breaking things off with that possible job, though. The guy just gave me a bad vibe.

Steve_McQueen · Joined: 04 Dec 2009 Posts: 37

I was looking at the TV/Radio uni there, but opted for another uni. Same here, but the FAO lady (at the uni that I got hired at) gave me some good vibes (compared to other FAOs who were a bit sketch). Definitely stick to your "sixth" sense! Wink

Inga · Joined: 24 May 2011 Posts: 1

Hey!

I saw my blog was referred to in this site, so here I am to share more about Rizhao.

I actually have quite some posts about Rizhao if you`re interested:
http://ingaeglite.blogspot.com/search/label/Rizhao

It`s quite nice here, especially now that the summer is about to start: beach, parks, bicycling, seafood, hiking options, etc...

Most central places are 10-15 minutes from the beach!

You get stared at here a lot, cause locals are not used to foreigners.

As for expats, I`d say we`re more than 50. Some working as teachers, others for the international companies.

There are several somewhat Western places (to meet westerners, to eat Western food), a couple of ok bars.

Hope it helps Smile