Job Discussion Forums

[murray1978]

Hi,

I just had an interview with EF Zhengzhou and they seem nice enough. Does anyone have any information about life in Zhengzhou or EF?

Does Zhengzhou have a vibrant night life? It sounds like it is the birthplace of Kung Fu, Apple Phones and is quite polluted.

Any info on the city or school would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Murray

[3701 W.119th]

Zhengzhou EF is centrally-run from Shanghai, rather than a franchise, so it has that in it's favour. Your manager and co-workers might still be assholes, but that's a risk you take everywhere. At least the visa process, arrival, and any training and support required will be readily available.

As for Zhengzhou, If I told you that it was my idea of hell on earth, I may put you off. So I wont.

Maybe someone who actually lives there, (rather than just outside and travels through every few weeks / has stayed there quite a few times), can give you a better idea.

[rioux]

I didn't live in Zhengzhou but in Gong-Yi which was about 1 1/2 hours away.
Zhengzhou was great to visit because Gong-Yi was such a backwater of a place.
It always seemed way overpopulated and very polluted whenever I went there (not very often).

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=1027528&highlight=#1027528

[3701 W.119th]

Gongyi is part of Zhengzhou, isn't it? One city? I tend to take the official population figures of Chinese cities with a pinch of salt, for this very reason. In the time it takes to drive from Zhengzhou to Gongyi, I could drive the length of my country back home. Yet this is considered one city in China.

I quite liked Gongyi the few times I've been there. Very laid back, friendly people, small town feel. The locals were ignorant, sure, but warm. No badness in them at all. Some awesome restaurants too, but that's a given anywhere in China.

My main problem with Zhengzhou is the people there. The amenities and everything are fine, you'll have your western supermarkets and whatever, but man... it's a hub for everything that is bad about mainland Chinese (from a western perspective). Even other Chinese despise Zhengzhou. And I mean Chinese who come from there too.

Have you ever taught a student in China who didn't claim their hometown was a beautiful, great place? I hadn't, until I taught Zhengzhou folks.

It sucks.

[3701 W.119th]

I should have prefaced that post by saying I love Henan people, really do. I'm marrying one! Henan is 'real' China, warts and all. It's a wonderful place.

But, boy, Zhengzhou is an awful place. It's really bad.

Avoid.

[Babala]

I agree with the above posters. I live in Henan but I think Zhengzhou is a pit. I wish my city had some of the supermarkets/restaurants that Zhengzhou has but that's about it. I really hate having to go into Zhengzhou for any reason. It's highly polluted and the worst traffic I have seen in China.

If the DOS at EF Zhengzhou is a guy in his 40's, I met him a few years ago and he seemed to be a really decent guy. I would recommend working with him.

[jimpellow]