Job Discussion Forums

[redrose8988]

So I recently received an email from Changchun normal university in Jilin Province. Has anyone had any experience in this northern province in China or with this University in particular? Any help would be much appreciated!

Also just as a breakdown. They're offering 8000/month with 100/hour if I go over 100 hours of teaching during the month. They've only offered 5000 for flight reimbursement but I think I'd rather have 8000/month than an extra 5000 in flight reimbursement. Also they will provide a fully furnished apartment on campus.

My main concern is that I have no idea what that part of China would be like. So any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[mackidrei]

They go by hours per month? So you're looking at 20+ hours per week? I had a contract that went by hours per month and they did that because it saved them from having to pay overtime since holidays and breaks usually cut the hours down just enough, often enough, for it to be worth it for them. Plus it allowed them to add extra hours per week as they saw fit since there was no agreed contractual limit. Not saying that's why this place does it, but I'd never work another contract worded that way again. It just ended with them overworking me to their benefit.

[LarssonCrew]

Honestly, have contracts not moved on?

One of my friends was offered 600 RMB housing allowance, what on earth can you rent with that nowadays?

And 5000 flight? What if your flight home is 9000? That's half of your salary on top!

[MisterButtkins]

One of my friends is working there, he is basically on the same contract.

You could try to negotiate for a higher airfare bonus.

Changchun is a pretty standard second-tier city. Some pollution but not horrible, transportation is OK. Some nightlife, not great but not terrible. Cheaper than a lot of other cities of similar size.

Cold in winter and very windy. They had snow for 7 months out of last year (October - April), though October is usually pretty nice actually.

Also, just my 2 cents, but I feel like the Northeast Chinese food actually appeals to the typical foreigner's palate more than the food in some other parts of China. Lots of potatoes, garlic, bacon, ribs, hearty stews, and fewer dishes made of some animal chopped into tiny pieces with bones in them.

[Non Sequitur]

Ask what a typical timetable looks like.
Also if they are widely variable student groups ie Orals, writing, prep for overseas study or Western Culture, you may be up for a big lesson plan workload.
Are the 100 hours contact or ??
Another point is the length of the teaching hour - typically 45 mins.
BTW I am concerned at a further lowering of the travel allowance.
I have always paid more than 10K for a return ticket. Some people on highly competitive routes get it for under that figure, but 5K????

[MisterButtkins]

I get 8k cash bonus instead of airfare. I think it's OK. Basically at the end of the first semester, I get an extra 4k, then an extra 4k at the end of the contract. My last job gave 12k airfare compensation, but it was real compensation (had to show receipt etc), not just cash bonus. I don't go home every year, so I'm coming out a little bit ahead on this one, I think.