Job Discussion Forums

[Kurochan]

Hi there --

Has anyone worked at this school?

During the interview, it sounded like I would be teaching visiting scholars who were about to go abroad, but from the written description of the job, it mentioned that some students would be businesspeople, and that they also offer some foundation classes for high school grads going abroad for college.

I got the contract, and while we'd talked about 12-16 hours a week, way at the bottom of the contract they mentioned in addition I will be obligated to work six additional hours a week. I sent an e-mail about it, and was told they rarely ask teachers to do it (and that I should want to anyway to help my students).

I'd heard from a friend in town that they treat teachers well, but I am starting to get spooked.

Also, is the "training division" different from the regular university? Is this really just a school-affiliated training center, and not a "real" part of SISU?

Any info. would be greatly appreciated!

[starlight]

Hi. I worked at the Overseas Training Center (OTC) at SISU for several years, and, on the whole, it's a pretty good place to work at. In general, the teaching and administrative staff are quite nice. You might want to be 'on guard' for these things: 1. being unfairly assigned too many writing classes, as this will really bite into your time because of all the marking, and 2. being expected to work into July when your contract clearly states June 30 as the end of your work period. I never had much trouble with these things simply because I set my own limits. However, other teachers did feel intimidated -- and resentful -- at having to comply with these demands. I'd suggest that you make it clear at the outset that you'll take one writing class only. As to working into July, if you've aleady made -- or want to make -- other plans for early July, then just whip out your contract and show the dean your finish date. AS to the 'extra' hours in your contract, forget about them. I had the same concerns that you do, but I was told that section is simply ignored (true). The OTC at SISU is in the Hongkou district, an excellent location ... only a few minutes to your room and only a few minutes to the ChiFengLu light rail station. The rest of the university is out in the boonies of Songjiang. Going to Songjiang involves a daily commute of several hours, none of which you are paid for. I'd say go with the OTC. (If you find you don't like it, you can always use your time there to scout out other options.) I liked it, which is why I stayed as long as I did.

[Kurochan]

Hi there --

Thanks for replying.

They said I had to live on campus for the first year. How was the housing?

The contract was totally confusing, which is one reason why I've been putting them off without giving them firm answer. Can you buy your own plane ticket and be reimbursed? That was totally unclear to me. It kind of looked like you had to give them your dates and then they would book you on China Air.

Also, if I am told what population I will be teaching, can I trust them to stick to that?

Thanks again!

[starlight]

Hi again. The reason for your having to live in campus housing the first year is that for the first year, you would not qualify for an off-campus housing allowance. There are two types of housing provided. The first type -- usually for young singles -- is in the SISU hotel, only a few minutes walk from the department. The accommodation there is basically a hotel room with a little kitchenette. When I first arrived there, they put me into the hotel, but at that time, it was fairly run-down, had a lot of cockroaches running around, and had a wonky elevator. However, they later renovated the entire hotel, so it's in much better shape now. The second type of accommodation is in the SISU residence complex on GuangLing Yilu, and also only a few minutes walk from the dept. That kind of housing is usually given to married couples, with or without kids, or to older single teachers. It, too, was completely renovated -- in fact, the renovations were going on when I was in the hotel. Of course, it will depend on your personal lifestyle, but I much preferred the residence to the hotel. The flats -- all newly renovated -- were great: spacious, quiet, and comfortable, with brand new furniture. I'm assuming you are a young person (under 35), so you'd probably be assigned to the hotel. Most young teachers there actually like that setup, but if you don't, you can always apply to get into the residence. (Don't bother asking for the residence until after you've been there a year.)
As to airfare reimbursement, you could contact FAO directly and ask for specific details of reimbursement, but I think if you check your contract, you'll see that you are entitled to reimbursement only AFTER you've been there a year. Just get an economy class ticket with whatever airline you like. They've never been too strict about which airline you take, as long as you don't go first class and then expect to be reimbursed.
As to the type of students you'll be teaching, ... the OTC usually has only 3-4 groups of students: the overseas professors (the largest group they get), the business group (becoming smaller and smaller), the 'high school' preparatory group (also becoming smaller and smaller), and the monks. It's difficult to say beforehand which group you'd get (my guess is that you'd get the overseas students) primarily because the dept simply does not know what the numbers are much before late summer. Don't be scared off by the different groups. In the end, they are all taught basically the same stuff.

[Kurochan]

I was a bit worried that it might be a hotel room like thing. I'm bringing a pet, so I think that'd be bad. I'm a bit over 35, so maybe I could wheedle my way into the residence ...

I also have a job offer from another school. I lived in Shanghai two years ago, and rented a two-bedroom place for 2,000 a month. It wasn't in a modern building -- it was in one of those five or so story buildings in a middle/lower middle-class xiao qu. What are rents like now? If I'm not central, could I get a one bedroom for like 2,500? The other school offers a higher salary but no housing allowance, so I am trying to work it all out.

Thanks a lot for any help!

[China.Pete]

"I lived in Shanghai two years ago, and rented a two-bedroom place for �2,000 a month." -- Kurochan

You'd be unlikely to find a decent one-bedroom apartment near SISU in the Hongkou District for much less than �4,000 a month. On the salary they'll be paying you, the on-campus residence is a godsend. You might want to ask them about the dog, if you haven't already.

[starlight]

I agree with China Pete. The amount of your salary won't meet the cost of decent housing in the Hongkou area. Why not just settle for on-campus housing for the first year and if you like OTC and decide to stay for a second year, you could then look around for part-time work to supplement your income. Of course, by then you would probably qualify for an off-campus housing allowance (although I have recently been told that unis are trying to get rid of this allowance as a cost-saving measure). As to taking a pet, I would urge you to leave it behind with family or friends. It is true that many of the Shanghai locals have little dogs as pets, but these poor creatures are always strung to a leash and are exposed to the dreadful crowds, heat, humidity, and pollution that their human owners are. Other small creatures just end up as road-kill.

[Kurochan]

Thanks --

The other day I got an offer at the school where I used to work before, and I took that instead. It was the same salary for less work, plus I know and trust the waiban people. As for housing, I guess I'll have to pay more, but I'm going to try to hook up with my old landlord and get my old place back. I know it'll be more expensive, but it'll probably still be reasonable.

-- K

[NATO]

Kurochan or Starlight - would you be able to provide me with an email address for the person that recruits at this institution? I have used ChinaTEFL but unsurprisingly the info' on there is out of date.

Thanks

[starlight]

Hi NATO.
Yep, you should contact the gal at FAO in charge of foreign hires at SISU. You can reach her at her office email address: [email protected] Not sure what particular department you'd be interested in, but the OTC is probably still interested in receiving applications for the upcoming fall semester. If you're interested in teaching at the OTC (and it certainly has the advantage of 'location'), you could ask Christine to give you the dean's email address. (I'm not sure the dean would want me to 'publish' it here, so you'd better ask Christine for it.)

[NATO]

Starlight - the email address and advice is appreciated, thank you.