Job Discussion Forums

[gregmcd101]

Jut this week i recieved my first tefl offer at the Anhui university of science and tech, Its a 10 month contract, 18-20, 45 minute sessions, 2 bed furnished appt. Telly, computer internet etc. 5000Yuan plus a few extras. From what limited research it sounds alright, im not overly bothered about money as long as there is anough to be comfortable and maybe travel a bit.

specific details:

http://www.chinatefl.com/anhui/teach/anhuikeji.htm


(sorry, dont know how to hotlink here)(edit) it worked anyway!!


General newbie questions i guess.

Anyone been there, and whats it like?
I saw the long thread on that gb-14 medical assessment thingy, sounds like a pain.
The money sound ok to people?
Any general advice, cheap flights, advance reading - anything you think might help a virgin voyage!!
The workload sound handy enough, (plus 2 hours in 'english corner'?)
Any other Irish, Brits in this area.
Finally any decent pubs around there!!
Basically anything helpful to a fresh newbie would be appreciated

[Malsol]

This is very normal for a 2nd tier uni. Students there will not be proficient in English.

[therock]

English corner is a time that lasts for an hour or two, where you go and students come to talk with you. After a week or two of English corner you will get sick of it. However it's common for FT's to do an hour or two of English corner per week. The pay is pretty much standard for a public university. Overall it would be a good place for a newbie to begin.

[gregmcd101]

Thanks. Whats ft - full timer? first timer? and second tier? a lesser uni in a smaller city, i guess?

[Voldermort]

[wailingtraps]

Greg,


This is just my humble two cents and i'm sure ill get jumped on it by everyone. I would say hang on......

Why go to Anhui? I'm not saying it's bad!!! But why there?


It's your first job in China(so it sounds) so wait a while and think about what you want......scenery,big city,travel hub,great food, blah blah blah

I think the kind of deal you've been offered sounds pretty standard(if you don't want to make the almighty $)...and there's nothing wrong with that.....other people might disagree but that's my opinion......

I don't know Anhui very well and I don't know your situation(age,experience..etc).....but I would say....have a think..where do you really want to go...what do you want to do.......how long do you want to stay...etc

You have the luxury of choice so ..use it!!!!!!

PM anytime if I can help


Best
The Wailer

[gregmcd101]

wailingtraps,

Cheers, sounds like fair advice. I like the look of it, and wanted something away from the main hub, but, as you say there is lots out there. For my first foray i wanted a middle size city, with perhaps lightish workload, to see if this is something i could get into and spend a few years at. It seems fairly middle of the road there, and, not a bad place to start, but i'll wait see what else pops by.

[grwit]

Greg,

Yes I have been there!!! Last Year the other FT's at my college in Anhui Suzhou had friends working at Anhui university of science and tech.

The college was pretty good itself. The accomodation is new and clean. Better than mine! But don't be FOOLED. It is NOT in Bengbu which is a middle sized city. It is in FengYang which is very small and dirty. It is about a 30min bus ride back to Bengbu if you want to go shopping. I live about 2hrs to the north of bengbu.
The friends that I met there were quite happy however. They said the staff were friendly and helpful. They seemed to be well looked after. They didn't mind going to bengbu by bus to get the things that they needed that they couldn't buy in FengYang.

I would advise if you want to experience REAL China by living in a small town and eating real local food then take the offer. There is no western influence in FengYang at all. No KFC or McDs or anything like that. But you can find all that in Bengbu if you want it.

As I said above FengYang isn't the cleanest or most modern city by a long shot but the Uni is fairly new and clean. It all depends on what kind of lifestyle you are looking for in China.

There is a Temple in the middle of FengYang too. One of China's many Emperors lived there. And now the shops have adapted the living quarters of his wives and soldiers for their businesses. There is some real traditional buldings still standing in the middle of town.

[gregmcd101]

Thanks Writ - may the force be with you, cant be more remote than Dagobah. Sounds like my kinda thing - follow up question. Getting from there (Anhui, bengbu area) to Nanjing, and or shanghai for a visit... Easy? How long? Expensive? what are the trains like? Cheers

[grwit]

Bus to bengbu 30mins costs about 5-10 rmb

Bengbu has one of the biggest inland train stations. All lines between Shanghai Nanjing Beijing and Xian pass through Bengbu. Getting a train to anywhere should be no problem.

Nanjing is the closest major city. About 3 hrs south by train. A bit longer by bus! Cant quite remember the prices but I think they are around 30rmb for a hard seat 40 for a soft seat. But thats from my home in Suzhou to Nanjing which is an extra Hr away. Bengbu to Nanjing should be cheaper!

To Shanghai it will be about 8hrs by train and I usually get a sleeper for the journey which costs about 200rmb

Beijing is about 10hrs away and will cost about 250rmb for a sleeper.

Trains are quite ok! They can get a little crowded at times but if you pay a little extra for a soft seat or sleeper, in my experience you can have a pleasant journey.

I have a few horror Bus stories and the way chinese drive you can never be sure of your safety. I dont take busses often except for short trips no more than 2 hrs. 3 times the busses have broken down in the middle of nowhere!

[gregmcd101]

Thanks for the info and the effort. Most useful. seems cheap enough. also, i like a bit if cofort so would pay the xtra for soft/sleeper. I have accepted the offer and exchanged contracts. Perhap i will meet you sometime.

[grwit]

Yeah I'd be happy to meet you!

If you have any problems you can email me. I sent a PM with my email address!