Job Discussion Forums

[tingdedong]

I'm trying to decide between teaching in:
-A highschool in Jingmen, Hubei province
-A university in Huai'an, Jiangsu province

but I don't have any personal experience of either area. Has anyone been to either place (the city or the province)? What do you think?

[wailing_imam]

Ah Jingmen....I did a short six-week gig at the university there for a Singaporean company. It is central China, chained monkeys dancing in a street filled with pickpockets and staring locals. There is a small community of TEFLers there (Maybe 15). If you want a real China experience, 3 hours from the nearest half decent city (Wuhan) then this is the place for you.

I've worked in Jiangsu, but not in the town you mention. I worked for another Singaporean outfit in Suzhou. Jiangsu province is very well located and would be an easier place to be all round.

But, if it's challenge you're after, Jingmen is the place...

[lionheartuk]

I worked for one year in Jingmen - 2005 to 2006- and loved every minute of my time there. Okay the city is not one of the cleanest or quietest places to live in but it is a friendly place.

There were around 20 foreign teachers in the various schools in the area and good fun. I expect most of them would have moved on by now even tho some had been there a couple of years when I was there and after I left.

The Foreign experts bureau put on a Christmas party for all the foreign teachers every year and it is a good do.

There are a couple of decent supermarkets and one or two good discos and things are quite cheap. I would jump at the chance to go back there and maybe one year I will.

[tingdedong]

Thanks! Jingmen seems perfect, then.