Job Discussion Forums

[IvoryTower]

Hi all!

Since the training center postion I WAS working on never answered me about the visa and permits (see my former post "What am I doing wrong?"), and since schools are already starting back up after the Spring Festival, I started inquiring at other schools that I'd contacted before, one of which was the South Ocean School Dalian. I got a nice response back that they were not in need of teachers this semester, but that she would forward my info to the home office in Beijing.

The following day I got a phone call from James Zhang, the Project Mgr. at South Ocean Schools, who had an immediate opening at Lianyungang, apparently a new school for SOS, as there's nothing in English, yet, on their website. School begins this Wed., from what I gather, and they need me asap. SO...I'm trying like crazy to get everything done before flying to Hongkong, where I intend to get the Tourist visa, since not only would it take too long to try to get it from the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, but the way things are now, SF won't handle applications by MAIL, as of May, 2003, and I'd either have to fly the wrong direction for 4000+ miles, or pay a "visa documents" agent to get it for me! I figured this was faster, and maybe cheaper. Oh...I was assured that they WOULD begin work on the proper visa as soon as I arrived.

Anyhow, from some reliable sources, I've heard that I can get a tourist visa right in the airport at Hongkong, which should take less than a day. After that, I'll book a flight to Qingdao, where I'm to be met by someone from SOS, and, I suppose, take either the train or a bus to Lianyungang.

I'm going a little crazy trying to get everything together--close the house, make arrangements to park my truck at a friend's place so it won't get vandalized (as well as depreciate) while I'm gone, find quality homes for my 30-yr-old Arabian mare, April, and my Silver Sphinx of a Persian cat , and generally try to not forget anything I'll NEED while packing.

The Project Mgr. agreed to a 4-5 month contract, so we can see how well suited to each other we might be, 5000RMB/mo., for "not more than 20 hrs per week", w/food & lodging taken care of, and reimbursement of the airfare ON ARRIVAL (I'm told). They did send me a proposed contract, which I altered slightly in one spot--the one which says I can't work on my own time, signed and faxed back. He'd already told me on the phone that they couldn't sign the contract until this coming Wednesday, but would sign the contract and fax it back to me (I haven't heard yet for sure if they're going to accept my change). Does this wording sound reasonable?

"With Party A's knowledge, Party B shall be allowed to render service elsewhere or concurrently hold any post unrelated to the work agreed on with Party A, as long as it is on Party B�s own time, and does not interfere with the quality of work agreed upon with Party A."

There's no mention in the contract of anything regarding holidays (paid or unpaid), but then, this is a short contract, and I did see somewhere on their site--not in the contract--that they hire for either a 5-mo. or 10- month contract. I did notice that in the Appendix--part & parcel of the Contract, it stated:

"c. Party B enjoys limited free medical care on campus only. Any hospital treatment off campus must be paid for by Party B. Therefore, health insurance paid by Party B is required."

I suppose that's standard, too, but something I'd like to see change if I sign up for another contract in the Fall.

According to an email I got from James, I WAS supposed to have a phone call from him night before last regarding "minor contract" matters, but either he called a few minutes before I got home, leaving no message, or he didn't call. So, I don't really expect to hear back from him until after their Wedesday (China time) meeting with the school.

I hope this all sounds reasonable, and that things go well, as I've already got the tickets as far as Hongkong, and hope that I can get a flight to Qingdao cheaper in Hongkong than I could get from Yahoo! website. I did Save an itinerary of the one flight per day just after noon to Qingdao with China Eastern at under $300--the only one listed at that price, but I won't know whether I'll be allowed to change the date of that "itinerary" after I arrive in Hongkong at 10 a.m. on March 8.

Any comments from anyone about South Ocean Schools in general--or in the particular? Any comments about them, or any of their schools would be appreciated. Anyone know anything about Lianyungang--I haven't been able to collect much material on that town via the internet, and the school's English website is "under construction".

After seeing a lot of posts, both pro and con, about what CAN happen to one when coming to China in a rush, and without already have the proper permits and visa, I am naturally apprehensive, though excited about finally DOING something about coming back to China.

Please, tell me I'm doing it right, guys...

John

[Susie]

I think that the "right thing" or the "wrong thing" may not apply here.

I think it is just a case of you make your decision, then you reap the benefits or suffer the consequences that arise as a result of that decision or those that arise completely independently over which you would have no control.

Surely there's a place in Shanghai to get your visa or Beijing even.

[Roger]

You have been lucky so far, keep the momentum. The school chain you mentioned has not made headlines for a while now, so I suppose they are clean (but some of their branches got mixed reviews before).

I am not quite sure whether you can enforce that alteration to your contract; generally working on the side is illegal anywhere that I know.
Read my post "A Story that really makes me sad"...
Often, however, schools don't mind.

Lianyungang is a port city on the coast between Shanghai and Qingdao; nothing special about the place.

[NumberOneSon]

[Roger]

Keep in mind that if a Chinese sponsors you, they take some responsability on your behalf, and thus it is reasonable to assume that they want to know how you make a living; since they often foot the bill for your residency here they might think it unfair that you make more money than they agreed to pay you.
There also isa legal angle: you might have to pay tax, and tax authorities don't like wage earners who camouflage their incomes.

I don't come from the USA, so I am not familiar with that American visa you referred to; however, all over the world countries grant work visas provided the party invited accepts to work for the party inviting them, and for that party only. WOrking on the side is called 'moonlighting'.

[IvoryTower]

Well, it's very minor moonlighting, and the Project Mgr. didn't seem at all concerned about it; I explained it was primarily that I sorta 'half-run' a business on the internet, and don't spend much time or effort at it, either, but just wanted to cover myself. I DO like to be up-front with my employers--sometimes that even gets me into trouble. So I also prefer positive language in a contract. I'd rather have stipulated what I CAN do, rather than what I'm NOT ALLOWED to do...

Thanks for all the comments, guys--it's ALL a help to a newbie like me!

Cheers,

John