Job Discussion Forums

[chickyabroad]

Hi, I am considering applying for a uni job in China and have a couple of questions that I haven't found answers to doing a search.

A lot of the jobs and threads I've read mention vacation time in the winter, which I know is the main holiday time, but what about in the summer? Is there typically any time off then, and if so, when? Or is it something that's different from school to school?

I'm asking because I want to apply to a post grad program that requires students to do an on campus section for 2 weeks in July. But I would ideally like to start working in China in Feb or March, so I would need to be able to be in the UK for part of the summer. If summer vacation is something that's not typical, would it be something I could negotiate maybe? What is the usual yearly schedule for universities?

Also, I see a lot of ads mention on campus apartments and health clubs, which I assume are the uni health clubs that students can also use. What is it like living on campus and using things like the health club? Is it hard to get away from your students and just relax? Would it be better to request an apartment off campus and will they even negotiate that?

Thanks for any advice!

[alter ego]

Summer breaks at the polytechnic where I teach run from around the end of June to the end of August, roughly 8-10 weeks. My summer holiday is paid at 3/4 salary, but many unis are now going with 10-month contracts so it depends on the school.

I live on campus and pay 420 rmb a month for a 1-bedroom apartment. Nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable. There is no off-campus housing option; if you live off campus you pay full price for your apartment, which in Shenzhen is about 2,500 rmb/month for a nice 1-bedroom.

I frequently use the swimming pool during the summer season, and there's also a gym on campus, but I've never used it. When you live and work on a large uni campus you sometimes run into students who recognize you or vise versa, and occasionally students will want to stop and chat, but most just say hi and then move on.

If you teach at a uni or poly in China summer vacations are the norm and you should have no problem doing whatever you want during most of July and August.

[HaveAGoodRest]

I lived in a "small city" in China - 1 million people but the benefits were great. I'd recommend doing this as there's more competition in the international cities for benefits like you're asking for. But in the smaller cities, you can write your own terms for working pretty much.

The uni I worked at - they gave us summers off. We could travel or stay at the uni with free rent.

The uni apartments were actually far superior (far more Westernized) than anything in town.

Health clubs - yeah, personally, I'd say get one off campus. You can only take so many students approaching you on your free time on campus.

[chickyabroad]

Thanks so much for the replies! That is exactly what I was looking to hear.

And haveagoodrest, can I ask what small city you were in? I don't want to be in one of the main cities - since I'll be studying, fewer distractions is better! Though I would like some Western amenities and at least a little expat nightlife. So right now I'm looking at a few cities in the northeast, such as Harbin (I don't mind cold but I can't stand hot and humid).

[HaveAGoodRest]

Hey Chickyabroad,

Check PM...

[LouisianaCajun]

HaveAGoodRest, I am also interested in the uni you taught at. I am looking to land a teaching job for the spring semester, preferably in Southern China (being from Louisiana I am used to heat and humidity, the cold North might be unbearable for me).

I have been searching job boards but I don't often see universities themselves posting positions, most often it seems like agencies post positions available at Universities. I'd love to know a site where universities themselves post, so I can cut out the middle man. I have tried looking at some universities websites but haven't gotten any leads yet. Maybe I am just looking at the wrong ones.

[JamesD]

Bring me a poboy from Olde Tyme when you come.