Job Discussion Forums

Naomi_USA · Joined: 04 Oct 2009 Posts: 6

Can anyone share their experience with WSI. Their HR dept has informed me that the position does not come with apartment accommodations. Is this normal? I was told that because of the generous salary, the teacher is responsible for their own accommodations.

thefuzz · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 271

Sure, it's true, and depending where you'll be working (which city) and the style of apartment you prefer (small and old or new and big), you could be paying quite a bit. Also remember to take enough cash to cover your initial deposits when renting a place (usually 3 or 4 months rent up-front).

WSI and other big name training centers in China never pay for an apartment, so it's up to you to find and rent one. The only places nowadays that offer free accommodation are universities and middle/high schools. So to save costs go online and depending on where you'll be based try to find a roommate to share the costs (preferably before you arrive in China)...remember that on top of the rent you'll also be paying a management fee to the property developer (which may include the cost of water), power and gas.

The only real benefit of working for WSI is the fact that you'll be able to get a promotion if you stay on longer and thus more in terms of salary. I don't work for them myself, but I know of a few people who do and they like it for what it is.

BTW: Did they offer you a 25 or 35 hour contract? Remember that with a 35 hour contract you'll be making more money, but you'll have only one full day off (which for some is OK, but for me, nope, I need 2 days to get away from teaching a bit).

Anyway, good luck with WSI, who are, at the end of the day, one of the better training centers in China (but I'm sure there will be others here on this site who will disagree).

Cheers.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

OP, There is definitely an upside to renting your own place. You can choose to not live in a rathole. Many of the places offered to FTs are really dumps-- dirty, noisy buildings representative of the type that are being torn down in other places. The insulation between floors actually amplifies sound. You could be annoyed, awakened, prevented from sleeping, forced to listen to your neighbor's music, television, arguments, screaming children, and so forth.

There are many new places constructed in ways which prevent sound from travelling. Find a place like that.

Do be careful regarding costs. It is entirely possible that you will be offered a salary which is not compatible with anything other than ghetto life. Don't believe your employer. Verify costs, accomodations, circumstances, and so forth, with others.

Naomi_USA · Joined: 04 Oct 2009 Posts: 6

How much money should I expect to take with me to cover the apartment? (US dollars). I think I may also have to cover the airfare which is later reimbursed. The job is in Guangzhou.

thefuzz · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 271

Naomi_USA · Joined: 04 Oct 2009 Posts: 6

Thanks for the advice. Do you have a link to the apartments in Panyu. I read a couple of blogs, but didn't see any pictures. It certainly sounds like a nice place to live.

BTW: I am working 25 hours.

thefuzz · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 271

There is one, but only in Chinese. Here is the link:

http://www.gzagilegarden.com.cn

The best would be to just visit the Garden yourself. There is a sort of Town Square right next to the main bus station with lots of shops, a supermarket as well as maybe half a dozen rental agencies that serve only Agile Garden. Walk in, tell them what you're looking for (a 1 bedroom may be hard to find, lots of 2 and 3 bedroom places, though) and they'll show you around. It's a huge place, a small city you can even say, but everything is on site so if you don't have to you don't need to go downtown (they even had an imported food store there due to all the foreign residents...dunno if it's still there). Anyway, I would only live there, downtown is too expensive, I think.

Sinaman · Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 85

Agile Garden is a nice place. I went around there last month as I was being shown around by a friend.

There are also other gardens in Panyu that you can take a look at (although some are older than Agile). There is Riverside Garden, Country Garden, GuangDi Garden, etc, etc. At some of these gardens you can still find decent furnished 2 bedroom apartments for about 1500-2000RMB per month and it would take you about the same amount of time as from Agile Garden or you can catch the subway (but you will need to get on a motorcycle taxi to get to the station)

Naomi_USA · Joined: 04 Oct 2009 Posts: 6

Thanks for the link and the information. The price seems to be what I am looking for and although I couldn't understand the language, the photos are beautiful.

Fuzz and Sinaman, you guys were really helpful. Panyu seems to be a great find. Would you call this the community of the foreigners? I guess this would make me feel more at home without being in the states.

thefuzz · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 271