Job Discussion Forums

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

Once when I was in the Army a Drill Sargent ask for volunteers..with a drivers licence..I thought "sweet", my additional skills will get me a "laid back" duty...so I stepped on up "to do my duty" as it were..and my efforts were paid off when I was escorted to the wheel barrow "good drive that" the hateful man in the smokey the bear hat said....on that day I learnt a powerful lesson...never volunteer....and

Smokey is way more intense in person....

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I believe peace corp and the like normally look at volunteers on a two year program....obviously this isnt going to suit everyone..

Again, I think it is the security element of a volunteer program that often appeals.....and this IS different to finding paid work...

Im sure if you look at the average volunteer or gap year trip - they may be able to place you on a program with 10 other people, offer an orientation period, an element of training, a guide etc etc etc...

I think if you compare that to just arriving in a new country on the back of an agreed job via email - with no support or experience etc, is very different and may be re-assuring for some...

In fact, this is exactly why volunteer gap year companies exist, and why, rightly or wrongly they will continue to thrive.....even more so now as it isnt just gap year students looking to travel but grown up gap years are now actively encouraged by many UK employers.

Ive started a new thread on this subject in newbie forum....I think it is interesting, and possibly informative for people like the OP, if we can have a thread on this subject, with people discussing their own experiences.

no_exit · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 565 Location: Kunming

If you're worried about being stuck somewhere you hate, then sign a short term contract (one semester is usually the shortest) and remember that if it is really awful, you can still leave *without* breaking the contract. Any reasonable school will have a clause that states how far ahead you have to give notice should you need to leave ahead of time, usually no longer than a month. If you can't bear at least a month in a rough spot, then teaching English in China might not be for you.

Of course there are horror stories, but honestly, there are a ton of foreigners living in China, and the vast majority of employers are not going to stick you in a situation that is completely intolerable (although this depends on your standards, of course). The chance of finding a school you like goes up tremendously if you do proper research before you sign a contract, make sure that you're in a city that you find pleasant, and most importantly, sign on with a school that is legal and able to provide you with the documentation (work visa and residence permit) that will prove it. Teachers are far more likely to be exploited/abused when working illegally, that's simply a fact.

Volunteering isn't your only option. I understand wanting a bit of flexibility your first time around, which is why I'd suggest a short term contract with a legit school, rather than volunteering.

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

winterlynx1 · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:55 pm Post subject:

I agree with most of these posts - volunteering is good if you are truly reaching the underpriviledged - bad if you are propping up a profit machine (not that profit machines are bad, but they need to operate in a commercial context or it's unhealthy for everybody).

You might want to check out www.dacare.com as a link to employment in China. I don't have any experience with them, but it might be a route to take to find the kind of experience you're looking for.

no_exit · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 565 Location: Kunming

By the way, if anyone is interested in working for an NGO in either a paid or volunteer position www.chinadevelopmentbrief.com has probably the most comprehensive list of NGO vacancies online. Take a look at the site and you'll also get a clearer picture about what organizations really are non-profit and which ones are most likely for-profit organizations capitalizing on people who are just a bit to idealistic for their own good.

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

I just finished a year at a university where in the past they had five volunteer teachers from the British Consol . Now the irony is that the school is making money and didn't need volunteers . So volunteers need to have money to take a year off their lives . These people affected my work and my salary . It was assumed I too was rich. Everyday people would go through my garbage because like the other foreigners I threw out valuables . I was billed more than half my salary for electricity even though I was hardly home . For a rich person 2000 rmb is not much but for me it is 38 hours of teaching .
I saw the same thing in Qingdao university of Science . They brought in Mormons to volunteer . They had problems because they weren't teachers. I had to help them with lesson ideas. Their motive was recruitment for the LDS church in Qingdao .
Do some home work before taking thesenon paying jobs ? How much do the students pay ? How many students will you teach ?
I did 15 hours a week teaching orphans in South Korea , for the Catholics and the Buhdists . I won't do it here in China because I see too many frauds .
I had my students apply for volunteer jobs for the Olympics and they told me they wouldn't do volunteer work . It was an eye opening experience talking with them . You only do things that will help you or your friends . I have yet to meet any Chinese here who do volunteer work .

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

Thats because the chinese are too pragmatic, "Take care of your own ass first, second, and third". The idea of volunterring is never even reached, their too busy taking care of themselves.

The story about the religious zealots coming to schools and teaching to attract new church members is a perfect example. Bieng a professional teacher I honestly do hate frauds and phonies like this. The point out about volunteers teaching at uni's and places that can afford to pay is quite valid. Your a sucker to do so, and if your wealthy enough that you can afford to get no pay for a year, go somewhere that truly needs you.

As for the volunteer route being easier if you want to come to somelace with less risk and feel more safe, feel things out, so what. Rarely are the easiest things to do in life the ones that are best for us, they are just that, easiest, and more appealing because of that fact.

There is definitly a lot of money here. China is not in debt to anyone, they have a huge surplus. Many don't seem to realize this, that china is siting on over a trillion US dollars. Thats what happens when most of the world buys form china on the cheap, instead of from thier own countries. Your simply stimulating someones else economy, while depressing your own. China is not hurting for money by and large, though 2 thirds of it's population are still farmers. That is changing rapidly though.

dialogger · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 419 Location: China

Don't volunteer.
Come over for a summer job at a language school like Aston. As soon as you can get around the international offices of the local universities and start talking.
Make sure you have all you'll need to stay on for 12 months.
Check the apartment quality and if there is a 'too tired to travel' FT still hanging around campus ask to meet him her/him and take him/her off site and really find out what it's like. They will probably be +ve while the school rep is around but will be more realistic offsite.
Make sure the apartment will support life in winter day in day out if you're contemplating Nth China. Summer may give it a gloss it doesn't have in winter.

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

I have to agree, check that apartment out. The chinese have never heard of modern insulation it seems, just make the walls thick concrete and you'll be fine seems to be their philosophy.

First job here had a nice spacious place, but early november I was freezing my ass off. Old windows, a couple missing panes, ceertainly did not help. Find yourself an apartment that has just been built, thats your best bet.

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

NathanRahl, you forgot to mention the Chinese tendency to leave hallway doors and windows open, even in subzero weather.

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

Ah yes, your right about that one. Chinese love that fresh air, and they do exaclty that, even in my building. No matter how cold, they always seem to leave hallway windows open, so peculiar.

laodeng · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 481

Not so peculiar. The idea is to get rid of the stench.

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

Thats just it though, I live in a nice high rise building which is newly built, and there is no stench, it has it's own cleaning staff and security. Perhaps is just a habit, done by those who "used" to live in crapy homes when they were younger *shrug*.

mjlpsu · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 128 Location: NJ to Shenzhen

This post got me thinking. I wouldn't mind volunteering here in Shenzhen and doing something useful for a change. I don't want to volunteer at a school however.
Does anyone know of some non-profits operating in the city? I'm going to check out some searches now... maybe I'll find something of interest.