Job Discussion Forums

[sindy]

I'm thinking about going overseas to teach with my young daughter (she will be about 1 year old when I intend to go). I taught in Korea before my daughter was born, but have been getting the cold shoulder from recruiters there once they find out I have a child. I'm wondering if I'll have an easier time finding a job in China? I'm primarily interested in university teaching positions (although public school would be a possibility too). I have an MA and 2 years ESL experience, but no TESL certificate.

A few other questions:
-are there any locations that are better for raising a child?
-will I have problems finding affordable, appropriate childcare (preferably a live-out nanny)
-will I be able to afford appropriate accomodation for the two of us (ie bigger than the shoebox apartments I was used to in Korea ... something with a living room and separate bedroom would be okay for us)

Any information/advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Zero]

I haven't done what you're thinking of doing, but have thought of it and probably will do it at some point. It is slightly different, because my kids have a Chinese mother. But anyway, I will share with you some of my thinking, for what it's worth.

Things to consider:

-A third-tier city might be a more peaceful environment in which to raise a child than one of the Shanghais or Beijings or the world. Such cities are very child-friendly, because that is pretty much what young people do: get married and raise kids. You'll find that waitresses and random people in public places will lend a hand with your child when you need it. Shanghai and Beijing are more geared being single and not having kids.

-In small cities, salaries are probably lower, but so are expenses, including nanny expenses. And you could increase earnings with extra part-time work.

-Nannies will be easy to find and should be relatively affordable. But if you don't know Chinese, communication will be the problem. Language issues aside, I think you'll find that the nanny wants to do things her way, not yours. She may agree to your way, but behind your back will do it her way.

-For the sake of cost and simplicity, you might do best with a university job that provides a furnished apartment. Are you a single mother? I don't think that will prevent you from getting a job.

-I recommend getting expat health insurance for yourself and your child. If anything severe happens, you want to be able to get top-notch care in one of the international hospitals.

-Do you have life insurance? Your mortality risk goes up a bit when you move to a place like China. The traffic alone presents a significant risk. You want your child to be well-looked-after should you make an early entry to that great ESL school in the sky.

-On that note, make sure you have a will and/or other documents directing what should happen with your child should you prematurely begin pushing up daisies. Would your parents or a sibling raise her? The last thing you want, if you should settle in for the long dirt nap, is for her to get caught up in some bureaucratic mess with the Chinese authorities not knowing what to do with her. She could end up in a Chinese orphanage.

-Do you have a plan for how long to stay overseas and what to do, career-wise, when you return home? Since you have the child to support, you have to think long-term, of course. Will you have a place to stay, such as with your parents, when you begin to resettle? Will you have some cash to help you get by for a while?

-If you are separated from your daughter's father, are you sure you have the right to move out of the country with her? I know that sometimes there are restrictions in that regard because of visitation issues.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I have several friends with kids teaching in China.

A Canadian friend of mine takes his son to daycare, goes to work, and then picks him up after work. It's a reasonable routine he has had for 2 years now.

Another friend just takes her daughter to school with her and she usually hangs out in the teacher's office (mind you she is 12 now and old enough to do this).

So as far as logistics go, I think you're pretty sound.

But as for jobs hiring (and this is only an assumption) a single mother? I know some that will, but only a select few.


Good luck!