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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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dean_burrito
Joined: 12 Jun 2007
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 Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:27 pm Post subject: Considering China |
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So there is an offer on the horizon to work in China. It pays 10,000 cny (1.8million Korean Won equivelant) and included housing in Guongzhou. I'm considering taking it. It's a bit less money that I'd make staying here but I think that type of money would go a lot further there than it would here in Seoul. I guess I should add that it is for 25 teaching hours per week.
Anyone ever worked in China and want to throw their two cents in? How are the working conditions there? Is that an adequate salary? Could I save? What else is there that I should be considering that I'm probably not considering?
I guess my biggest reason for wanting to go there is because I want a new experience.
Thanks for any input or feed back. |
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beercanman
Joined: 16 May 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:23 am Post subject: |
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| Did you check the China forums? 10K is above average. You can save some, maybe half...Don't know about Guangzhou, have heard mixed opinions. It's a big city. Maybe post on the China job forum and ask about the school. |
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jotgarden
Joined: 12 Nov 2008
Location: Suwon, South Korea.
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:17 am Post subject: |
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| Imagine every complaint you could have about Korea--staring, spitting, retarded nationalism, etc. Now imagine that on steroids. That's China. |
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Rory_Calhoun27
Joined: 14 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:42 am Post subject: |
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But are the ladies anything like the ones they had as cheerleaders at the olympics last year. 'Cuz that's the most important factor in the decision.  |
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losing_touch
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Location: Ulsan - I think!
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:42 am Post subject: |
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| I am also looking at China. I also want a new experience. There are a number of positions that have caught my eye recently. I wouldn't consider taking anything that paid less than 10,000. I am just signing up to see what kind of responses you get! |
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beercanman
Joined: 16 May 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:12 am Post subject: |
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| jotgarden wrote: |
| Imagine every complaint you could have about Korea--staring, spitting, retarded nationalism, etc. Now imagine that on steroids. That's China. |
Where, when, and for how long did you live in China? There are a lot of big cities in the country, and a lot of foreigners in one like Guangzhou (maybe 4th biggest city?), a fair number more I think than you'll see in Seoul, so such a city is really more international than anywhere in Korea outside Itaewon or such an area. In the boonies, however, it can be pretty hardcore, though some foreigners like that and might consider the locals friendlier. The need for language skills obviously is greater in a smaller city. Given the population, I'd reckon most cities under 3 million people in China are kind of like small "hick" towns (maybe like Incheon?) where we are all from, but maybe not all, as some smaller ones are popular choices for foreigners too.
Anyway, the point is that it is a huge and rather diverse country, and the negative things you ascribe to it are probably not as big a thing as they used to be, especially in larger cities. A lot of China is more international, and probably more open towards foreigners, than almost anywhere in Korea. That's my impression, albeit a limited one. Oh, the staring is still there in many places, but somehow I usually find it less annoying, perhaps more benign or less malicious, than a lot of what you'll get in a lot of Korea. But it's still Asia, and god knows a hell of a lot of it is filled with people who never interact with anybody from other countries.
I suppose it is true anywhere: a decent job and a location you can enjoy are both necessary to have a good time. |
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Kurtz
Joined: 05 Jan 2007
Location: ples bilong me
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:26 am Post subject: |
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I was researching this myself a while back. I chose against it as I didn't feel like starting over again, and the money didn't seem to be there, but the lifestyle was if saving isn't your goal, which it is mine.
Basically getting any random job off the net is Russian roulette, as is going to live in a place which you know hardly anything about.
Several wise people go to China on a student visa, learn some Chinese, then while is China check out places to live, visit schools and get a good job.
The big cities like Beijing are meant to be quite expensive indeed, especially so if you get an unemployed beauty on your arm wanting you to buy her stuff with the ultimate aim of a foreign passport.
Some people love China, while others can't stand the crowds, pollution and filth. As mentioned check out the China boards as I'm sure this has been done to death before. |
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RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:18 am Post subject: |
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| beercanman wrote: |
| jotgarden wrote: |
| Imagine every complaint you could have about Korea--staring, spitting, retarded nationalism, etc. Now imagine that on steroids. That's China. |
Where, when, and for how long did you live in China? There are a lot of big cities in the country, and a lot of foreigners in one like Guangzhou (maybe 4th biggest city?), a fair number more I think than you'll see in Seoul, so such a city is really more international than anywhere in Korea outside Itaewon or such an area. In the boonies, however, it can be pretty hardcore, though some foreigners like that and might consider the locals friendlier. The need for language skills obviously is greater in a smaller city. Given the population, I'd reckon most cities under 3 million people in China are kind of like small "hick" towns (maybe like Incheon?) where we are all from, but maybe not all, as some smaller ones are popular choices for foreigners too.
Anyway, the point is that it is a huge and rather diverse country, and the negative things you ascribe to it are probably not as big a thing as they used to be, especially in larger cities. A lot of China is more international, and probably more open towards foreigners, than almost anywhere in Korea. That's my impression, albeit a limited one. Oh, the staring is still there in many places, but somehow I usually find it less annoying, perhaps more benign or less malicious, than a lot of what you'll get in a lot of Korea. But it's still Asia, and god knows a hell of a lot of it is filled with people who never interact with anybody from other countries.
I suppose it is true anywhere: a decent job and a location you can enjoy are both necessary to have a good time. |
The esteemed Mr Garden mirrors my limited experiences here.
Myself, I wasn't in Beijing more than a week, but I saw more kids carpping on the street, more old people hocking loogies, and more old women chasing me down with wooden ducks and hollering "You buy this!" in Chinese at me than my entire time in Korea. Though that was worse in tourist areas. Still, you can walk around any Korean tourist site without getting harassed. Also, it was nice being able to see so many stars in the sky at night right inside the city.
Although, I would argue that the staring, bodily functions, etc, really don't bother me here or there, though it was definitely more noticeable there. If you complain about those things in Korea, going to China might not be the best thing. |
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dporter
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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I lived and taught in Shanghai for almost 2 years.
China is dirty. The people do cough and spit everywhere however they are friendly and helpful.
In general, the Chinese view themselves as the center of the world and as such their worldview is the only correct one. Tibet has always been part of China and Taiwan is a renegade province.
In day to day living you have to deal with outages to international news channels like the BBC, especially during critical gov't or national happenings. Google, hotmail, BBC News, Blogger, etc are often blocked. There is a strong anti-Japanese sentiment in China that may affect someone who views history with open eyes.
10,000 RMB plus housing is way above average and you should be able to live well above middle class.
For me, I'll never go back to China. While it was a good experience the day to day grind of living in a strongly censored society got the better of me. |
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The evil penguin
Joined: 24 May 2003
Location: Doing something naughty near you.....
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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| dporter wrote: |
In general, the Chinese view themselves as the center of the world and as such their worldview is the only correct one. Tibet has always been part of China and Taiwan is a renegade province.
In day to day living you have to deal with outages to international news channels like the BBC, especially during critical gov't or national happenings. Google, hotmail, BBC News, Blogger, etc are often blocked. There is a strong anti-Japanese sentiment in China that may affect someone who views history with open eyes.
10,000 RMB plus housing is way above average and you should be able to live well above middle class.
For me, I'll never go back to China. While it was a good experience the day to day grind of living in a strongly censored society got the better of me. |
These words be true.....
I'm in china now (admittably in a small city literally in the middle of nowhere) and have only just got access to BBC news and hotmail for the first time this week (presumably blocked for the Tianamen square anniversary). Speaking of which, i spoke to my (university) studnets about this, and NONE of them had ever heard anything about it.
Yep, korea is ignorant and backwards in many ways...but at least the kims don't have as much cheese forcibly stuffed down their ears as they do here.
The freedom to travel around is noticlably lacking here as well. Need passports to check into any hotel, and its just damn hard to get anywhere anyway...
Nah, in mnay ways korea is much more livable. Of course, the grass IS always grenner....... |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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| China was the most free place I ever lived. My connections helped to bend all the rules for me. I loved it except for the pollution and low salaries. Guandzhou is a love it or hate it place. I spent a couple weeks just hanging out there and had a good time. Some cool expats there to hang out with. China is much friendlier than here. I am not sure about working in a language school there. Stay away from the big chains such as EF. I would look for a decent paying uni job and do privates or extra hours in language schools. China is great it you like living on the edge. Easy to get around and many friends to meet and the girls are amazing. |
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RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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| D.D. wrote: |
| China was the most free place I ever lived. My connections helped to bend all the rules for me. I loved it except for the pollution and low salaries. Guandzhou is a love it or hate it place. I spent a couple weeks just hanging out there and had a good time. Some cool expats there to hang out with. China is much friendlier than here. I am not sure about working in a language school there. Stay away from the big chains such as EF. I would look for a decent paying uni job and do privates or extra hours in language schools. China is great it you like living on the edge. Easy to get around and many friends to meet and the girls are amazing. |
Oh yeah, I want to add that it seemed incredibly free there, especially regarding *smoking* laws. I know a guy over there who spent a few months in a rehab program for heroin or something. I can't tell you how many parts of that sentence would never work in Korea.
Unfortunately my impression after leaving there was that nobody was friendly or lively in the same way they are here, and everybody is trying to rip you off at all times.
By the way, I knew a Chinese skinhead (a very anti-communist guy, ironically) who claimed that the Tiananmen Square Massacre was about chasing away homeless squatters, not breaking up a democracy demonstration. |
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tomwaits
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Location: PC Bong
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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A few years ago 10 000 kiai wa about 1200 US but I;'m not up on exchange rates. But I don't think you'd save much. GZ is not only expensive but it's spread out so you might end up getting a lot of cabs.
I thought it was putrid hot and humid and unfriendly to boot (Cantonese are not as friendly as the Han but thats IMHO.) A lot of dodgy schools and people---but then again a lot of foreigners abide there so vget a 2nd opinion.]
Good beer there though. |
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edgellskiuk
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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10000 yuan is around 1400US$ currently. If you eat local food etc. I think you should be able to save some money.
I lived in seoul for 3 years and this is my 4th year in guangzhou. I cannot comment on teaching as I have never been a teacher.
I live in a new town development about 1 hour outside of guangzhou. There are quite a few expats in guangzhou and my town so I do not notice as much staring as I did in korea, but in the sticks it can be intrusive.
There are plenty of western bars and restaurants in the centre of Gaungzhou and some in Tianhe. Guangzhou is a big city, do you know which district the job is in?
A bonus of guangzhou is you can get a bus to hong kong easily if you need to take a break for a few days.
If you want more info pm me and I will see if I can give you answers. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| edgellskiuk wrote: |
10000 yuan is around 1400US$ currently. If you eat local food etc. I think you should be able to save some money.
I lived in seoul for 3 years and this is my 4th year in guangzhou. I cannot comment on teaching as I have never been a teacher.
I live in a new town development about 1 hour outside of guangzhou. There are quite a few expats in guangzhou and my town so I do not notice as much staring as I did in korea, but in the sticks it can be intrusive.
There are plenty of western bars and restaurants in the centre of Gaungzhou and some in Tianhe. Guangzhou is a big city, do you know which district the job is in?
A bonus of guangzhou is you can get a bus to hong kong easily if you need to take a break for a few days.
If you want more info pm me and I will see if I can give you answers. |
For yourself or other expats living in Guangzhou...how often do you get into Macau or HK?
It seems that most DO NOT...but I'd think it would be one of the major selling points, and perhaps ONLY selling point.
The Cantonese language is a seriously strong downpoint, and from what I heard, so are the Cantonese people. |
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