Job Discussion Forums

[babaoreiley]

Why would my other posts in other forums give you pain? I don't understand why that is a big deal. I've picked up a great deal of information this way concerning a number of diverse places I am interested in. Maybe I'm missing something. Enlighten me.

[Volodiya]

It's comfort seeking behavior, just as Peggy alluded to, that's why.

Make a decision, move on. Take comfort somewhere other than in China.

They're a lot nicer to you on the Turkey Forum. Move to Turkey and teach there. It's a great country. I think you'll love it.

[lyla]

I appreciated the intitial questions babaoreiley posted, because I am also in the same position--trying to gather as much information as I can to make the best possible decision I can make. Babaoreiley has every right to ask those questions, and the readers have every right to decide to whether or not to respond. I'm sure there are hundreds of others like us trying to gather as much info as possible using the resources available to us like this message board.

[Volodiya]

Have you tried the "search" option?

[babaoreiley]

Oh, I don't think I'll be letting a little thing like a couple of negative postings on a job's forum dissuade me from pursuing employment opportunities in the PRC. It would be pretty "gutless" on my part if it did. I will just use alternative means to gather more information on the EFL market in China. Its no skin off my nose.

And yes, I am looking into multiple destinations. So what. Members in many other forums have been more than willing to share their knowledge with me, knowing that I was exploring multiple destinations, and its unfortunate that you don't care to.

Volodiya, you went on about me wasting your's and other people's time with my questions. But it seems like you have a great deal of free time on your hands. How else would you explain spending the time delving into my postings history? Get a life.

And by the way, thanks for the vote of confidence on Turkey .

[Volodiya]

My suggestion about Turkey was serious. It's a fascinating place, with great people. Not so foreign feeling as China, wonderful air service to all of Europe (and America, for that matter) and perfect for you as a serious student of Eurasian History. For interest, you could see-

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=16860&start=0

When you asked your general question to the people at the Russian Forum, asking what the good schools were in St.P. or Moscow, that was something they could respond to- because there are so few of them. Same in Turkey, to a lesser degree. But China is a different matter. You've just got no sense of the scale of everything here.

Instead of getting petulent (which is unbecoming a graduate of Texas A&M, anyway), you should have heeded my advice; done some research; narrowed your questions; and, then, as I said, there would be scores of generous people here ready to share what they know with you.

[AsiaTraveller]

If folks had very carefully responded to your original questions and had told you their five favorite Chinese cities and their five least favorite cities, and if that information was completely contradictory and inconclusive, how much further ahead would you now be?

You'll have to dig deeper and read individual threads on the China job and non-job forums. You'll get more nuanced opinions about very specific aspects of living and working in China -- not answers to overgeneralized questions that can't give you anything conclusive or definitive.

It takes time, yes. But you'll have better and more realistic information -- not top-five lists. If you can't live without the Top Ten, travel to China with Dave Letterman.

[Mugato]

yeah, i think your quest to get serious answers isn't particularly aided by the fact that you ask the same questions about a bajillion different countries. you should do some general research on this site and then ask more pointed questions about particular issues and places.

[babaoreiley]

Point taken. I have been using the information I have picked up as a further aid in my research. I was not necessarily looking for specifics, just hoping to pick-up some general themes. The spots I had been looking at in the PRC are Harbin, Dalian, and Nanjing. But it was because of the sheer scope of the country that led me to ask the general questions, specifically about the best and worst cities. I didn't want to limit myself, but instead if someone or a series of people had overwhelmingly positive experiences in a particular locale it would give me another spot to at least look into. There was some method to the madness, I just thought this would be a fun way to tease it out. Not the case, though. Will be more specific in the future.

[Zero Hero]

Don't worry 'Yunqi', the likes of 'Asia Traveller' are unable to hack it in Hong Kong. It can remain your favourite city.

[AsiaTraveller]

"Hack it" in your little SAR, Luddy? I have some very profitable consulting gigs in HK at the moment. They are definitely far more remunerative than wiping the noses of snotty uni students -- which will likely be your fate for the rest of your life.

Face it, Luds: You have absolutely no idea what I currently do in Asia. But please keep speculating. It reveals your primal fears and professional jealousies.

[andrew_gz]

"My 5 favorite cities are - Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai and Nanjing. My least favorite cities are wherever Volodiya, Mugato, AsiaTraveller and PeggieScott live. If they live in any of the above named cities, I guess you could say that it is a love/hate relationship. Good Luck."

OH NO!

You're going to be pseudo-moderated courtesy of Volodiya lickety-split.

[gregoryfromcali]

Anway.

Getting back to the topic.

I travelled around China last summer to see if I would like to teach there. I am currently teaching in Europe which I enjoy but it is hard to save anything substantial, especially when it is so easy to just put on a rucksack and jump on a train to another country just a few hours away.

My favorite Chinese city is Taipei. (I don't want to politics today...)

I think Taipei offers the best of both worlds.

Good pay, a lot of work, and good weather. The city is both traditional and modern. And if you have problems with a school you can call the police.

I personally don't care for huge Chinese cities too much. Although they can be exciting to visit.

But Taipei seems just right somehow. It doesn't feel overcrowded like most major Chinese cities.

I also like Beijing. But after living in Northern Europe I need a break from long Winters.

I understand why you have lots of questions as there is so much out there.

I recommend that you come and check out China for yourself before you take a job there. It's not for everyone and it's really more about adventure than it is about beauty.

When I think about it, why not just come to Europe?

All Americans love Europe.

[jseens]

I would have loved to see some more Top 5 lists:(

[gregoryfromcali]