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| Home away from Home? Get Real | ||
| I came to China 4 months ago to teach, to travel, and to learn about Chinese history and culture. Apart from the travel bit, (more later), I think it is a great place. Like most people, I checked up on the 'net, and found China described as polluted, noisy, crowded, culturally different, and totally unlike anywhere else in the world. Guess what? This was spot on. So why do so many of your writers complain about what they should have known? I picked this School off the 'net,it is fine, good accommodation, we are looked after well, things get done that need doing, the classes are too large to teach Oral English effectively, and yes, it isn't like home, but that's why I left Australia in the first place. To complain about the 8 lane highway outside the front door, the humidity in summer, the noise and dust from the constant tearing down and rebuilding in the town, the stares, 6am music from loudspeakers, and the social habits of the locals is pointless. This is China. Travel has become a problem. I thought that in the long summer holiday I could go anywhere. They (the School) don't get Z visas with multiple re-entries, so when I went to Hong Kong in a hurry, I couldn't re-enter China!!, I had to get a tourist visa in HK to get back into China to my job!! You might check your Z has "M" and not "00" on it. Working on your Residency and Work Permits when the Z in the Passport expires, as it does, means you can't change Schools, places of Residence or even quit, because you are then without valid documentation! Think about it, it could be expensive and messy. Then when you do leave through Immigration, you hand in your permits, and a Letter of Release, to get OUT of the country, or get an Exit/reentry visa through the school if you are coming back. You have lost control over this. Also the school doesn't want me to travel alone in China, even though I am a very experienced traveller worldwide, "for my own safety" A multitude of reasons have been put up, none of them very convincing, including: because I am on contract to the School, I am their responsibility, even when on unpaid leave. I will have to think about this. I came to China to travel, but it seems I am not supposed to. Otherwise, I am loving it, Yes, I know I am new to it, blah blah blah, but hey, I didn't come with stars in my eyes expecting a wonderland with no pitfalls, and I see no reason to complain and bitch about the perceived horrors of China and its customs and people. Do your basic homework before you come. Enjoy it. Don McChesney. 2 July 2004. Zhengzhou. Henan. Donmcchesney805@hotmail.com |