Job Discussion Forums

Cathb · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Urumqi, China

Hi all

Sorry to bring up EF question again -as it seems to be done to death!

However, I'm due to start with EF in Urumqi in a couple of months and in viewing this forum - I'm starting to ask myself whether I should rethink this decision. Should I?

I'm trying to take comments with a bit of salt - it does seem like the same people and making complaints about the same handful of EF branches, so my question is: considering the franchise element of EF - am I being naive in thinking that perhaps the school in Urumqi might prove an enjoyable place, despite the bad reputation elsewhere?

I'm finding it psychologically difficult to abandon a job I have yet to start based on a handful of posts - but I also don't want to make a big, stupid, stubborn mistake. Can anyone comment on the Urumqi EF or help me out with evidence for making a dramatic job change at the eleventh hour?

PS - I realise Urumqi itself might not be everyone's cup of tea - but my concerns are regarding EF, not the city. At least in respect to Urumqi, I find the unusual choice of location strangely appealing.

I'd appreciate any constructive comments that people can offer with would help me make an informed decision - should one be necessary!

Thanks all!

Sonnet · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 235 Location: South of the river

Darius · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Posts: 11 Location: Hong Kong.

RE:

"I'm trying to take comments with a bit of salt - it does seem like the same people and making complaints about the same handful of EF branches, so my question is: considering the franchise element of EF - am I being naive in thinking that perhaps the school in Urumqi might prove an enjoyable place, despite the bad reputation elsewhere?"

The employer or school "manager" plays a huge part the school's overall atmosphere. My post regarding EF Zhuhai shows an example of a 3rd-rate, money hungry management team who couldn't meet their contractual obligations. I think that you would be very unwise to take postings regarding EF "with a bit of salt". People make posts on this board to help others not to mislead them.

If your school has a good and honorable manager it could be a great place to work but I would be very careful about what you are signing up to do. You can easily find a job in China teaching less hours in better conditions than at any EF school.

EF Urumqi could be a great school - I don't know. Just make sure that you cover yourself and plan a suitable "exit strategy" in case it isn't.

Good luck.

Gonzo · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 80

Urumqi itself is a modern city in the middle of a desert. However, the history, culture, and geography of Xinjiang is fantastic: a great place to spend some time.
On the school: Ask the management if they can give you the email addresses of some current and former staff. If they can't or won't, its time to become suspicious. Have you checked out www.chinatefl.com to see if there are any government schools there recruiting?

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I wonder why you are focused on Urumqi?
I don't have personal experience with EF, but I do know Urumqi; I wouldn't want to live there for more than a month or two. While it is indeed an oasis in the deserts of the West, it's an utterly ugly place built during and after the cultural revolution in response to Mao's ideal of recovering all the "lost" lands of the Chinese empire; the Xinjiang natives enjoyed a shortlived independence, which was reversed brutally once the communists took power.
In consequence there is always some interethnic tension in the air. Travelling to other towns can be difficult on account of some rebellion or "antiterror" operations being waged.
Maybe I am sounding over-alarmist; you will be relatively safe in Urumqi, but less so farther away; anyway it's an eye sore, and a very polluted one at that.
Besides it gets extremely cold in winter.

Cathb · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Urumqi, China

Thanks everyone!!!

I really appreciate your viewpoints - they have definitely helped give me a better perspective. I am still set on going, for reasons I can't really articulate! However I am now a lot more cautious about the adventure and what I might expect - and yes, I have fall backs in place if the worst should be so (thanks for the tip).

I will also be dropping the school a line and see how they respond to the request of contacting current / former teachers (thanks).

Roger - as for the choice of Urumqi - this is just a weird personal thing. It's the history, the tension, the isolation, the ice-y climate, the entire predicament that facinates me and is what attracted me to the city in the first place. Perhaps it's not everyone's cup of tea - but I was born in the tropics so it does offer the experience of a lifestyle I can't even fathom, which, I guess, is why a lot of us are in this industry in the first place. :)Each to his (her!) own! Smile

(trust me, you're not the first to have questioned my thinking (sanity) on this one! Smile

)

Thanks again everyone - and if anyone else has personal experiences of EF Urumqi I would appreciate hearing about them!

Cath

Gonzo · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 80

I spent several days there a few years back, and didn't mind it. The area I stayed in was ok, no more polluted than most of China, people were friendly and helpful - not too many foreigners around - the food made a pleasant change from mainstrean Chinese, its only half a day from Turpan...I could handle life there for a semester initially.

whitjohn · Joined: 27 Feb 2003 Posts: 124

Cathb, I really hope the Urumuqi gig works for you. I am planning on going there this summer vacation as soon as school ends. One of my students is from a small village west of Urumuqi called Yi Li? famous for milk and ice cream.
If you do go, I'd appreciate a pm or email, maybe we can actually meet in June when I go there. Best of luck with the school.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Dear John,
I hope it's going to work out for you; you pick China's more of-the-beaten path locations for your jobs, and I am sure you know what you are doing.
Just for your information: "Yili" - a little to the West of Urumqi?

There is a small town considerably to the west of Urumqi, maybe one-day and a half by bus, close to the Kazakhstan border.
The valley in which it is established is the Yli Valley; the town was formerly called 'Gulja'.
It is an interesting place - but in 1998 there was a major uprising by Uigurs and Kazakhs against their Chinese colonial overlords, and a hundred or so people died.

Then again, there might be two or more Yili's.

whitjohn · Joined: 27 Feb 2003 Posts: 124

Friend Roger, It's Cath that is going there...not me, except to visit. The Yili you speak of is most likely the one. I know this girl who stayed with me over new year took 7 days by bus and train to reach Kunming which is why she didn't go home for spring break. We looked on google and the town is a major dairy producer. I didn't discuss political things with her, other than she told me she was "Islam".
Cath may well find some new and interesting life ideas in Urumuqi. I admire her for her spirit.

Lanza-Armonia · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:44 am Post subject:

EF - EF - EF??? AAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH

<cough cough><clears throut>

'Cuse moi

LA

tom selleck · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 8:34 am Post subject: E F Urumqi

Buddy or Buddette,
As a former teacher of EF Urumqi I feel an obligation to warn you. I won't tar and feather those ne'erdowells on this sight, but instead, I will offer my e-mail address. I lived in Urumqi for well over a year. The locals are the best in the world. Can't say the same for the school. It's really unfortunate, because I utterly adore Urumqi. Not a good place if you have weak upper respiratory, In fact, it's downright dangerous in the winter, and I'm not talking about the weather. The coal generated pollution is severe. But I still adore the place. Avoid THAT SCHOOL. There are lots of other interesting places in China. Write me. [url][email protected][/url]