Job Discussion Forums

Nyrthak · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 16 Location: ASIA

Last week I was informed that I was not allowed to go on the three day staff excursion to the beach (all other teachers going). I was told it was because I am a "foreigner" and "foreigners have special requirements". Initially I really didn't care. But now I think that is a pretty lame excuse. Is this a normal for China? Are other foreign teachers allowed to go on staff excursions?

MrBeijingles · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 67 Location: Shanghai

you wuz robbed

mondrian · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject:

This year I missed both excursions, including a trip to the mountains and a beach B.B.Q. It was because on both occasions the "powers-that-be" had kindly given me the extra classes to do for teachers who were going!!
But in every previous year I have taught here in China, there has been some social activities that I have been included in, such as hilarious parties (celebrating all things American) and drunken beach parties. On one occasion two students were designated to "look after me". That is, make sure I got home in one piece after the sea, sand and sangria.

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

The staff went to Thailand last winter and will be going to Russia this summer.

I have not been able to go because of my own scheduling, but I havent really been formally invited either. Russia could possibly have happened, but I dont know.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

As long as there are "Chinese" teachers and "Foreign" teachers, there will be separation between the two groups. Sometimes it's easier NOT to invite the FTs because someone WOULD have to look after them. Remember, it's the school's responsibility to insure the safety of their FTs. Also, if the FTs are being sheparded by the FAO, then that person wouldn't really be having a fun, relaxing day off, rather he or she would be looking after you needs, no matter how minor they may be. Remember the foreign affairs position is a job like any other and you are his "work".

Saying all that, these are the times when I DON'T feel guilty about making so much more money than my Chinese colleagues. My school has also had a couple of trips out for the CTs this year and I wasn't invited. Truth be told, I probably wouldn't have gone along anyway, but an invite would be nice to have.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

clomper · Joined: 07 Oct 2003 Posts: 251 Location: Beijing

Every December, my school will organize a trip to a nearby town to pick some oranges. I'm usually included along with other teachers. Last summer, a trip to Shanghai, Suzhou and Nanjing, and I joined them as well. If I continued teaching, I would have joined them for a trip to Beijing.

I miss teaching as they included several trips, free dinner, few boxes of fruits depending the season and cute gifts from my students. I'd probably teach again when I get tired of the rat race.

Claudine

Nyrthak · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 16 Location: ASIA

I think there is no reasonable reasons for my exclusion. There is no FAO. I am at a private school. My safety has never been of concern to them before...I have been left to myself since day one...so I doubt that is the reason. I suspect they are worried they may be charged more at hotels etc for a foreigner. Probably all boils down to the almighty dollar.

Oh well... I am leaving soon.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

i've been on a few outings with a previous school and frankly, i hope to never go on one again. chinese like to see as much as possible in as short a time as possible. there's no chance to kick back and relax, read a book or just enjoy the surroundings of nature. its rush rush rush more often than not the way i see it. besides, most foreigners are independent and dont like being shepherded from one place to the next.

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

I got shafted out of my school's trip to Hong Kong (which I had been promised) because the tour group they went through charged extra for a foreigner. Mine definately came down to the almighty buck.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Excursions inside China usually are for both FTs and local teachers; going abroad is a privilege for Chinese only as far as I know...

THey wouldn't want you to know how much they can afford to pay for jaunts!

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

wow they get to smoke jaunts on those trips - well Im lost for words!!!!!
Laughing

Super Mario · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:33 am Post subject:

Its simple. You make 3-4 times what the Chinese teachers make. They get a few perks as recompense.
Don't complain unless you'd like to live like them.
As for a marijuana cigarette now being called a jaunt!! Used to be a joint.

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

wow SM - you really are a guy of the streets - it makes me wanna call you bro and let you tonk on my spliff Laughing

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

It is called segregation and it is far more prevelent in China than you can imagine.