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| Jishou University in Zhangjiajie, Hunan - GOOD | ||
| Zach tumon_beach@hotmail.com Feel free to ask questions or ridicule me. If you don't mind a gray haze of coal smoke, exhaust, and dust 90% of the time, and you don't mind living without the comforts and conveniences of modern cities, this place rocks! I'm serious. What makes this place especially GOOD is the administration, the other teachers, and the fact that ALL of the basics are covered. We're always paid our 4000 RMB monthly salary on time, and we're often treated to big dinners and parties. Respect from the higher ups counts for soooooo much! We have our own individual hotel rooms (not shared), with fast and reliable internet on MS Windows/Office equipped computers with DVD players and speakers provided by the school. One per teacher, in our rooms. We teach 12-16 hours a week with 100% paid vacations. I got 6 weeks off over spring break on 100% salary! Round trip airfare really is reimbursed. All classes are taught on campus. The student canteen fries up like 30 different kinds of veggies and meats, a huge helping of whatever you want for 3 yuan with a free egg. And it's right across the street from our hotel. We're not asked to do more than is stated in our contracts, and although the city leaves much to be desired, the fact that you can live peacefully if you want to makes up for it. There's no noise at night except the occasional screaming pig being slaughtered. We get free cable TV, fridges, heating/ac, furniture, water machine with unlimited drinking water, 24/7 electricity and hot water, western toilets, kitchen and clothes washing machines in the hotel (free). Unlike just about every other Chinese business relationship I've been in, this school does exactly what they say they'll do, when they say they'll do it. At least as far as money goes. Books and stuff… who cares? You can always wing it, and this IS rural China after all. Our classes are not micromanaged at all. If we show up for class, it's good enough. I love my life here. It's as simple as can be. Stress is just not a part of it. To me, this is a very worthwhile way to experience the real China. |