Job Discussion Forums

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

OK -

friend 1: shop owner - 3 - 5k pcm
friend 2: Office worker (advertising sales) - 4 - 9k
friend 3: Shipping agent - 120 000 per year, with 100 000 bonus
friend 4: works for that stupid 'that's' magazine - 4k
And the list goes on.

But we're all going to be able to throw out figures, and I know there's a nationwide average touted at about 1200.

My point was that the original poster seemed to believe that, just because he was going to be surrounded by people earning half (?) what he would be earning, that would make him better off.

For me though, my quality of life depends on things like my home, the surrounding environment, social life, personal development, etc.

It doesn't depend on a relative comparison to my poor neighbours.

DixieCat · Joined: 24 Aug 2010 Posts: 263

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

baltomatt · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 20 Location: Xi'an, China

I have been here in Xi'an now for about 2 weeks, and based on being a newbie here, here is some of what I have observed. First, don't expect the same type of accomodation that you would find in Canada or the U.S. It takes a little getting used to the Chinese style toilet in the bathroom. And if you need something for your apartment, you won't get immediate response, but a little gentle pressure will get things done. The students here are super focused and hard-working. The amount of time they are willing to put in for class and homework is unbelievable. A teacher's dream, really. My colleagues are all super nice and a pleasure to work with. The people you meet on the street are all friendly, and if their English is passable, are anxious to speak to a foreigner. I do get a lot of staring, but that's just because there are hardly any foreigners here where I live. Actually, just one that I know about. In some respects, there is more freedom here than in the States. Everyone just does what they want, for the most part. The police don't seem to care or want to be bothered, unless there is some serious crime going on (which seems to be a rarity). I can walk around here at night wherever and whenever I want, something I would not dream of doing back in the U.S. There is a lot of government bureaucratic red tape, especially when you first get here, but I've learned not to take it all too seriously. As for Facebook, etc., it is blocked here, but I guess it wasn't terribly important to me in the first place, so it doesn't make a big difference to me. As for standard of living, most things here are really inexpensive, and the apartment is taken care of, so there is no problem keeping within budget, unless you have a craving for things imported or have an extravagant lifestyle. As for learning the language, that is one of my goals, although to be honest, I haven't started yet because it's been so hectic getting settled with classes, schedules, shopping, etc. But I am looking forward to it, maybe because it is so challenging.
So there it is for what it's worth. I admit that I am new here and perhaps the honeymoon period hasn't worn off yet, but that's my take on things so far.

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

Lamentations · Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 41

"...There's the "foreigner tax"...we're going to spend more than the Chinese even if we bought exactly the same things as them..."

I agree with the above. It reminds me of a time when I was once sitting on a bench in a park. A lady came along selling strawberries. Even though my Chinese isn't the best, I could overhear her tell the 2 older women on the bench next to the one I was sitting on that the price was 5 rmb. The ladies bought some. The strawberry lady then came to me. I asked her - how much? She said 8 rmb!!!

Perhaps the older ladies got a Senior Citizen discount?

AdrianG4 · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: Harbin, China

There are some work arounds with the Facebook/Youtube thing, but seriously .. is it that big of a deal ? The Chinese version of youtube is quite cool too. It has a lot of what youtube offers, but also with a bunch of movies and shows that would surely be taken off of youtube because of copyright laws

My accommodation is ok -- feels more like a hotel room. It's as clean as I want to be. It is kinda weird since I live with some Chinese people in my apartment building -- and there are EIGHT beds in one apartment. It put things into perspective for me .. I have a bigger room AND I live in alone ..

I like China, the only time you'll feel like you're in a "controlled" society is on the internet. And even the censorship on the internet is so .. poorly controlled

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

creeper1 · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:59 am Post subject: Thanks guys

Thanks guys I can see that generally speaking the accomodation in China is not something to worry about. Still I guess it would be good to get photos of it before signing any contract.

I have 5 additional questions

1. What is the difference between a university job and a language school job? I mean is it just that vacation is much better in a uni job. Maybe less money on a uni job?

2. Do you have another reason besides money for working in CHina? The pay, as someone else said, is an absolute pittance by western standards especially when you consider Irish (for example) would get the same simply lying on the dole.

3. Is there any advantage to using a recruiter? I mean couldn't the prespective employer answer all my questions? I guess it's good to insist on a contact number for a current teaher in case it's a dodgy school.

4. Do you ever feel choosing China is aiming low? I mean one poster previously said that they will take anyone foreign with a pulse. No criminal record check is even insisted on. I mean criminals could be teaching there.

5. Is it easy to get a job? Related to the above perhaps FYI It's now hard in a place just to the east of China that we shouldn't talk about.

Any thoughts? By the way none of the above is meant offensively. I am just being candid.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

I believe pretty much all your questions are answered at:

http://www.middlekingdomlife.com

Best wishes.

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

DixieCat · Joined: 24 Aug 2010 Posts: 263

The real problem is so many offenses are included under the Sexual offenses category and registration of individuals are often included in plea bargains that it has become less of a deterrent and more of a prosecution tool.

Many times individuals who are charged are unable to mount defenses due to legal cost and therefore must accept any pleas bargains that will enable them to get on with life even with the cost of a record some may not deserve.

I once applied for a position at a Jewish community center only to be surprised that the "criminal check" was a conversation with the director.

Another time, after accepting a job a red flag came up on my name as it sounded like a perpetrator who had been picked up for shop lifting. There was no photo and no fingerprints taken and the only identification of the person was a written physical description and their name which was close to mine. The witch hunter conducting the "security check" question me and informed me that the written physical description was not unlike my own. As it ended up, this vague application of a criminal check didn't cost me my employment but left me with a lasting impression that did not favor the requirement for criminal checks. I feel it is far favorable to create situations where a person is never alone with Children and the system for conducting classes includes safeguards instead of procedures created by political responses and criminal tags used as further punishment instead of protection for society.