Job Discussion Forums

[colnelkurts77]

Hi, my name is Richard I'm 38 and from Wales. I worked in Thailand for 4 years tefl teaching all age groups from kindy to high school, I left there a year ago, I don't have a degree but I have 4 years experience........ I've been thinking of taking a job in China and was just wondering what it is like there, with limited internet? Is there a good social scene with other ex-pats?

What are the best cities to go to?

What i really want is a heads-up on the lifestyle there, I'm not money orientated, I smoke and have a few beers after work, I'm good with food, as I used to be a chef for 20 years, so I would cook and wouldn't spend to much on expensive imported food.

I would also like to find a woman (not of the working variety) was wondering how the natives were in regards to westerners or if there is big ex-pat communities in big cities such as Beijing or Shanghai, or are there many female westerners out there?

I've read many posts on here and on MOD EDIT, most of which seem negative, I guess I'm just a bit apprehensive in case i get there and hate it or there are no westerners around.

Any feedback is appreciated, I want to here the good stuff about China,

Thanks

[colnelkurts77]

The reason I went home to the Uk was that my mum was ill, also it's difficult to get work in Bangkok without a degree, and it seems that a lot of companies in China don't require a degree, any Info is greatly appreciated,

Thanks,

Richard

[twilothunder]

The restricted internet is no great problem. You'll soon find you don't miss facebook or youtube. You can use Skype, Hotmail and access most British newspapers without interruption.

Without a degree, though, I doubt you'll find work in Beijing. The minimum requirement for most schools in Beijing is a Bachelor's degree.

Unless you're very lucky you are probably looking at a 4500rmb a month job in a smaller city. There may indeed be very few westerners around, depending where you end up. Research the city thoroughly before you accept a job. See if there's an expat message board, for instance, which may at least show some signs of expat life exist there.

I am not going to blanket categorise Chinese women here with crude stereotypes. In some aspects, they can be wonderful (including on a professional level ie in the office). However, as the income levels and China's perceived status rises in the world, simply dating a foreigner doesn't give them the face and status it perhaps once did, they expect you to have a fair amount of disposable income (remember, if anyone is paying for foreign holidays, nice restaurant meals and designer clothes it will be you) and ultimately offer them stability.

[weigookin742011]

I heard Chinese women are real money girls.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[Non Sequitur]

Do think 'package' when comparing jobs.
In my exp the higher cash salary jobs have the lower non salary benefits and vice versa.
Look at contact hours, accom, access to subsised cafeterias, paid holidays, travel allowances - in country and to/from home, subjects to be taught - writing classes have huge workloads outside the contact hours but Oral English almost none. Distance from home to school is important also, as is distance to the downtown from your accom.
2nd tier provincial centres on the coast should hire non-degreed people and be big enough to have an expat scene.
The northern provinces will be shock in winter after Thailand.

[peewee1979]

It's cold here now.

China isn't for everyone. Some people just can't handle it. There is little comparison between Thailand and China.

I won't discuss Chinese females. it's not an appropriate topic on this www site.

if you are in Thailand now you may want to consider a visit to some select Chinese cities.

tell you the truth, I personally don''t like Shanghai or Beijing and would advise against working there. If you want a true Chinese experience you won't find it in those big sterile cities.

[twilothunder]

[colnelkurts77]

Thanks for all the advice, I will have a good think about things, One of the cities I was thinking about was Guangzhou, the job there was with apartment and was 8000 after tax, that was for 28 hours a week total

[peewee1979]

[xiguagua]

[Non Sequitur]

28 hours pw is high in my experience but if you want 8000 then that's what you will work.
GZ is liveable but then I've only been there in winter. After Thailand it will be a doddle.

[mnguy29]

At 28 hours a week plus 12 hours office for a total of 40 you will have very little time for anything else such as learning the culture, socializing, making friends other than those you work with. 8000 is not enough. I would NEVER do this!

[twilothunder]

Yes, 28 hours is excessive.

I do 23 hours a week. The remuneration is worth it. I wouldn't do any more. It is an exhausting week and sometimes your preparatory work spills over into your weekend. I would heed the warnings from me and other posters.

[colnelkurts77]

Yeh, i refused that one, brought back memories of a government school in Bangkok I worked at, 24 contact hours plus all the planning, marking and setting exams.......... And Iv'e never worked in China and its a long way to go and then find out you hate it. Cheers for the heads-up tho