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norwalkesl
Joined: 22 Oct 2009
Posts: 366
Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China
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 Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:53 am Post subject: Describe, in detail, the Process of Going to China |
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Be very detailed and precise.
I am looking for what is proper behavior when I arrive.
Let us start here:
I get my visa in L.A, fly to Beijing, I meet the representative of the school at the airport...
And then...what?
In particular I am looking for what the document handling procedure is, and when IF EVER my passport would be out of my hands.
Mostly I want to be aware of when a scammer would seize my passport and hold it hostage for me to buy back.
Looking for list like:
-Meet rep
-Go to car
-Drive to train station
-Train to town with school
-Meet second rep
-Go to school, sign docs
-Go to accomodations
etc.
TIA |
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vikeologist
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
Posts: 600
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:41 am Post subject: |
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This isn't Iraq. In fact I think that China is one of the safest places on the planet that I can think of.
The trouble is that nowhere is completely safe, and there's always potentially people out to manipulate you. However compared to South America, where I would say that often someone will try to cheat you or take advantage of you in some way because you are a gringo, China is much much safer, though obviously there's more chance of being exploited or cheated in some way than there would be if you stayed in the US.
Every school's procedure will be different, but I dare say that any school will go out of their way when you arrive to make you feel welcome and secure.
Hopefully you have lots of information about your school already. Ask for the email address of a teacher at the school and send them an email asking what happened when they arrived. I'm sure it will put your mind at ease. If you think that your school doesn't exist or is not what they claim, post the name in case someone has pertinent info.
The customs people aren't going to ask for bribes or steal anything from you, (though of course one may wish to exercise discretion as to what reading materials you bring in).
All schools will need to hold on to your passport at some point to get the visa. (Also make sure you bring originals of certificates). I think some may try to keep your passport, which you should refuse as the law says that you should carry your original passport at all times. (I think lots of people carry copies, but its certainly a reason to demand that your school gives it back to you. They shouldn't need it for more than a day at a time.)
Seriously, life once you leave your home country is potentially dangerous, but China rates pretty low. |
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The Ever-changing Cleric
Joined: 19 Feb 2009
Posts: 1523
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:11 am Post subject: |
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| vikeologist wrote: |
| All schools will need to hold on to your passport at some point to get the visa. |
you mean, all schools need to hold on to your passport at some point to get the residence permit.
| vikeologist wrote: |
| (Also make sure you bring originals of certificates). I think some may try to keep your passport, which you should refuse as the law says that you should carry your original passport at all times. (I think lots of people carry copies, but its certainly a reason to demand that your school gives it back to you. They shouldn't need it for more than a day at a time.) |
a residence permit takes more than a day to get. depending on where you are, it can take a week or two, and your passport will be out of your hands for that period of time. |
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vikuk
Joined: 23 May 2007
Posts: 1842
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:16 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| This isn't Iraq. In fact I think that China is one of the safest places on the planet that I can think of. |
Not if you're wanting to demonstrate an injustice, are a child going to school in an earthquake area, one of the thousands of condemned prisoners awaiting execution, a baby drinking contaminated milk, a member of an ethnic minority wanting to campaign for extra rights - or a plain old FT trying to cross a road through Chinese traffic, drinking formaldehyde tainted beer or wondering what toxin they're breathing into their lungs today.
The list could go on and on - but please don't come to China thinking this is a haven of safety - that kind of thought should be reserved for the naive and stupid  |
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chinatwin88
Joined: 31 Aug 2009
Posts: 379
Location: Peking
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:11 am Post subject: |
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Question: I get my visa in L.A, fly to Beijing, I meet the representative of the school at the airport...
And then...what? |
It all goes to sh___t.
Aside from all the talk about injustice, which shouldn�t concern you, China is relatively safe as to personal attacks but when it comes to scams and petty thievery, the Chinese take the prize. |
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shanghai_laoshi
Joined: 25 Sep 2009
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:34 am Post subject: Then What? |
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ChinaTwin88 is exactly right!
Don't be scared of day-to-day life under communism, it's not a big deal. Just don't talk about Falun Gong or Freeing Tibet or try to spread your Christianity.
Be more scared or wary of your potential employer. Do some research. I did and still got screwed over, which is unavoidable if the employer is dead set on it. But you can lessen your chances by searching for info before you sign up.
Good luck!! China is a great place to live and work if you are lucky enough to get the right job. |
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vikuk
Joined: 23 May 2007
Posts: 1842
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:13 am Post subject: |
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| Aside from all the talk about injustice, which shouldn�t concern you, |
Well aside from the humanitarian question - the taxes you pay, that support the work of the police and military, give you extra reason for concern - in fact reasons that head in the direction of straight-forward morals and ethics
But if you don't mind helping pay for a system, that has been accused of abusing human rights - even on an every-day scale, such as the heavy censorship of internet that seems to truly piss-off some of the posters here - then who cares 
Last edited by vikuk on Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:17 am; edited 1 time in total |
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norwalkesl
Joined: 22 Oct 2009
Posts: 366
Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:15 am Post subject: |
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Thanks to all for the replies!
Looks as though I have researched this to death.
Time to just go and do it.
Looks like the 3 decades of business experience I have will come in handy dealing with petty scams, negotiations, and the like. I don't want to spread any religion, I have the common sense to not discuss the usual topics, and I don't want to go on some justice crusade. |
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englishgibson
Joined: 09 Mar 2005
Posts: 4345
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:49 am Post subject: |
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yes, just come and do it. but if you don't have to then don't 
it seems yesterday, but it's almot a decade ago, i received a call at about 2 AM in toronto. after a few seconds of coughin'and excuse me, i knew it was a reply to my job inquiry on line. i said proudly and happily; YES! and so i arrived on mainland no pro as L visa was so easy to get then. converting it to Z was no pro for my school.
cheers and beers to the new china  |
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