Job Discussion Forums

scorpiosphinx · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 10

Help! I have had an offer from Hunan University of Science and Technology in Xiangtan (Hunan Province) and an offer from Beijing Normal University in Zhuhai. Does anyone have any experience with either of these cities or universities that could persuade me? I feel quite comfortable with the staff at HUST but am wondering if Zhuhai might be a better city for me (a first-timer to China).

Thoughts? Anything would be helpful!

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

if you feel comfortable with the school in Hunan then go there. That's the path I'd follow.

scorpiosphinx · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 10

Thanks for the recommendation -- could you elaborate on why?

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

When I arrived in China in late 2003 I had to choose from a few different jobs. I chose the one I did because the admin person I was corresponding with at the school answered all my questions in the way I expected and hoped. In the end, I showed up at the school (almost two months early - they were just going into Spring Festival) and they moved me into my flat, sorted everything out for me and once the holiday was over I started working. It wasn't the greatest job but it was a good first job for someone who came here knowing almost nothing about ESL in China. I moved on after the one term contract ended.

If the school and the admin there give you good vibes then just go. Once you're actually here you'll find out if your trust was misplaced or not. Even if things don't work out, at least once here you begin to find out how things work and you've got your foot in the door enabling you to move on to better jobs if you feel the need to. On the other hand, you can second guess every decision you make forever, and end up going nowhere.

randyj · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:54 pm Post subject:

Considering only the locations without considering the schools, Xiangtan is a backwater near Changsha, while Zhuhai has a location on the seashore, next to Macao. All other things being equal, for me it would be a no-brainer.

xiaolongbaolaoxi · Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 126

I left a few years ago, but BNU's reputation as a good employer had faded a great deal. Some major administrative shakeups led to some really unfun things, problems with pay, confrontational attitude towards FTs, etc. Most teachers did like the students, but the workplace itself had changed. If you are considering Zhuhai, make sure to clarify whether it is BNU itself or a combo college (I forget the name) that focuses on content instruction in English. So, if they study business, they are learning and doing everything in English. Also, the load in that program is closer to Western education for students and teachers alike. But, teachers spoke highly of students in both programs.

I was asked to interview for a parttime job (that I didn't really want, but was going to make life easier for another teacher who wanted out of her contract) there, and they were egomaniacal jerks even during the interview. My wife (CT) worked with a different department, and the faculty was treated horribly even by secretaries. I would avoid it.

Another thing to consider is that just because a school is in a particular place, that does not mean you will be located where you actually want to be... two hours across town with intermittent buses, etc. BNU is on the outskirts of Zhuhai, maybe only thirty minutes away from a major downtown center, but the buses stop early. So, if you are enjoying a later nightlife, you are pretty much staying out all night or getting a hotel with perhaps "interesting employees." If you are someone who plans to not go out a lot, or can simply sit in front of a store with a bottle and be fine then location of campus won't matter to you.

Last point is whether you want to teach on the side. There were a few small schools near [a few blocks away] BNU. As Zhuhai is relatively small, I would imagine that the Hunan school would offer a lot of opportunities as well.

Aloha,

XLB

xiaolongbaolaoxi · Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 126

Whichever school is closer to your expectations to acceptable professional conduct is the one to go to. A beautiful location will not erase the bad taste of the misery associated with a bad work environment. And I choose environment over workplace literally. The schools will probably be affecting your life at home as well (as you will either be in their housing or you will need their language assistance to find your own place.)

XLB

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

I personally wouldn't worry too much about being in a city considered to be a backwater (have lived in such a place for the past five years now). Usually all that means is fewer expensive bars and restaurants and fewer foreigners around. Xiangtan is near Changsha as randyj noted, only about 40km away according to my map, which practically makes it a suburb of Changsha. I like Zhuhai as well and it's in a great location, but that won't do much for you if you don't like the job.

If you're worried about not being able to get any "comfort foods" in a place like Xiangtan, ordering stuff on Taobao is very easy and convenient.

mitchm · Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Posts: 25

I will add, for whatever it might be worth, that I will be working at BNU in the Fall. In terms of my interactions with them so far, which have been admittedly limited, they have been great and nothing but helpful. Very quick responses/detailed instructions in terms of the Visa application process, directions to the school from HK airport, etc (I am a China newb, so this kind of stuff is appreciated).

Again, none of this means anything in terms of what my experience teaching there will be like, but everything does seem to bode well so far.

-Mitch

scorpiosphinx · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 10

Mitch,

Are you going to be at THE BNU or BNU Zhuhai? It would be cool if you were at the latter and we could start there together (if things work out). What sorts of things persuaded you to take the job that you are accepting?

scorpiosphinx · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 10

Hmm, yeah I guess I am pretty anxious about going to a backwater place -- I'm worried it might be depressing. I'm really only interested in staying for one semester also, so I'd like to be living in a cool, enjoyable place during that time. HUST has said I could sign on for just one semester, but I've heard they give you problems about leaving, and BNUZ is not super thrilled about the idea of only a one semester contract, so I might have to sign for two, which makes me anxious. Any experience with these problems?