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Post by alexis on Jun 30, 2004 0:01:11 GMT 7
I want to say first how much me and my family have enjoyed your message boards. We have looked at so many and keep coming back because of your frankness.
My husband and I are coming to China August 1,2004 with our three children (15,13 and 10). We are taking a tefl certification course in Suzhou at The Boland School. We will then be looking for teaching positions. We have homeschooled our children for several years and have truely read and talked to as many other teachers as possible in China but we still have so many questions. We are planning on staying for a one year contract (maybe two). I know that we have very cushion lives in our little town of Asheville, NC and have only traveled outside the U.S. a few times but we truely believe we can do anything regardless of the living conditions, culture, etc for one year. We feel like the insight we will gain for our children and ourselves will be well worth it. Atleast that is what we keep telling ourselves...
1. Has anyone heard negative feedback concerning The Boland School in Suzhou.?
2. The school offers job placement but I have also starting looking on my own. Are there any school systems on the east coast that we should definitely stay away from? Are there any you recommend? We are not big on winter so would like to try to stay South of Beijing.
3. Does anyone know of teachers that came with children? Do you have contact info?
4. We are looking at areas such as Hangzhou, Nanjing and a really neat place sounded like Xiamen an island in the Fujian province. Obviously we want to try to be in area that is generally safe, clean. hopefully less pollution and not a coal town with nothing to see for hundreds of miles. We also want to have time left over to be with our children and not have to work constantly.
Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.....
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Post by George61 on Jun 30, 2004 1:43:02 GMT 7
Whilst accepting this as your first post, Alexis, to be "perfectly frank", this is NOT the Greasy Spoon. You must learn to be different here.....
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Post by Dr. Gonzo on Jun 30, 2004 4:16:37 GMT 7
Glad you made it here from Daves [aka The Greasy Spoon]; especially considering I invited you.
The advice you've gotten there is well meaning, but condescending [5 plane tickets will cost a lot..........well,
gee!].
My son [5 yrs] is young enough and experienced enough to handle China, but even he resents the extra attention he gets.
A few personal anecdotes. A friend's cousin came to visit with her twin daughters, aged 13. Both had white skin and red hair, and caused an absolute sensation. The girls quickly wearied of this superstar status, and became reluctant to go outside.
One of my former Australian students, at that time a 20 year old University student, came to stay with me for 5 weeks. After the initial excitement, the constant staring got to her. As did the "gropers" on the bus, who obviously found a statuesque young white woman insanely desirable.
So, unwanted attention and a lack of personal space are two major issues for your kids.
On the other hand, here in Shanghai I've seen groups of Western kids running amok in shopping malls just like at home. These peer groups were clearly school based though, e.g. American International School, $USD 1000 a month!
Depending on where you live, your kids may or may not make friends. Many elementary and middle school Chinese work hard, if inefficiently, to improve their English, and with little encouragement would look forward to spending time with your brood.
So, expect the whole "culture shock" experience. However, as a close knit family, you have some kind of retreat and support available.
As I said on Daves, housing will be a big issue for you. It's cheaper in small cities. We rented a huge, modern 3 BR place in Guilin for 2000 a month. In Shanghai you could spend two teachers' salaries on that!
The first few months could be the toughest. I recommend that while you are in Suzhou, some local kids of a similar age to yours are found to show them around, and generally "introduce them to China", including some Mandarin. East China is hot and stinky in August: not a good time to sit, bored, in a hotel room.
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Post by alexis on Jun 30, 2004 5:35:52 GMT 7
Where is Guilin? I too would like to rent a home. Could we do this Suzhou instead of an apartment once we get settled? The Boland School has made some arrangements for the kids to go out with other families a couple of time per week. The kids also have to work on their homeschooling during the day, so that will keep them busy also. Thanks again for your help. I have gained alot of real insight...
Alexis
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Post by beerdang on Jun 30, 2004 12:23:30 GMT 7
Suzhou could make it easier for the family because the lifestyle will more relaxed. I'd imagine the locals will be more willing to offer real help comparing with Shanghainese. I want to add the teenagers in China do different things. They obviously have to study hard or at least spend more time at school. That might have a positive influence on your kids. Sport activities will be limited. Most of time they might just hang out at someone's house playing cards or video games. Drinking is more permissible because there is no age restrictions. But it all depends who will be their friends. I'd say you will have less worry about sex, drug and rock 'n roll.  Your children may appreciate more about what they have. It is important at their ages to have those values. |
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Post by Dr. Gonzo on Jun 30, 2004 16:17:15 GMT 7
I might add Alexis, Beerdang is a "Shanghaier", coming back home for an extended stay after several years in the US. So, when he talks about growing up in China, he knows what he's saying.
Guilin, Guangxi province, is my wife's hometown, and our son was born there. A small city, Chinese call it the most beautiful place on earth.
Small city=low salary=low rent. If you're not relying on teaching salaries to live, one of these could be the place. It's easy to rent anywhere, but you need Chinese connections to do the deal, AND importantly, to tee up the official permission with the local authorities. Foreigners can't just live anywhere. This is where your school needs to have some clout, or guanxi. Suzhou is also a great place, and you may want to settle there.
I hope Raoul Duke drops by soon after his standard 10 hour working day. He knows Suzhou.
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Roger
Upstanding Citizen
Posts: 243
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Post by Roger on Jun 30, 2004 21:25:36 GMT 7
Why did you mention Guilin? It's about 2000 km west of Suzhou/Shanghai... a heavily touristed place, especially Chinese tourists; western backpackers prefer nearby YANGSHUO, 50 kms south of Guilin. The area is famous for its karst outcrops that stand up to 100 meters tall, pin-like; very idyllikc, inhabited by the Zhuang tribe.
One piece of advice: you can't normally rent housing in nominally-socialist China; tenement housing has been developing over the past 2 decades, especially since the mid-1990s. It means that there is an acute housing shortage in most big cities, and in others - Guangzhou and Shanghai spring tyo mind - new housing has been constructed for speculative buyers.
Your employer should house you, or help you find adequate housing.
If you are headed for Guilin/Yangshuo, you might contact BUckland School as a potential recruiter ()www.buckland.com.cn). The founder is congenial though not altruistic. Salaries are in general low, but satisfaction from doing your job is likely to be higher.
The kids might appreciate the rural charms - if Owen has a vacancy in the Guangxi area.
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Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly 
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on Jul 1, 2004 7:04:39 GMT 7
My husband and I are empty nesters, so did not bring our kids with us. I'd like to say that I admire what you are planning to do and hope it is a positive experience for your entire family. The fact that your kids are homeschooled should create a smooth transition in that area of their lives. As other posters have mentioned, the staring, being different, standing out in a crowd, could be overwhelming. Not understanding the language or culture is very difficult until one is settled and comfortable.
May I suggest a small town environment? We've been here since Nov. and have had minimal contact with other foreigners. We rely on our Chinese co-workers for socializing and friendships. We believe it is a good thing. Our co-workers have children who age with yours. These are fabulous kids. I know because I give them private lessons once a week. If you could find yourself in a situation like that, I believe you and your children would do well.
On culture shock - early in my stay here I ventured out alone shopping. Suffice it to say that the staring, constant attention, not being able to ask for what I was looking for literally reduced me to tears. I made it home before actually crying, but it was a bad episode. Low emotional moment I'm not proud of, but I want you to be aware of how a little thing like going to a grocery store can affect you here. Like Dr. G said, your close knit family situation will be a most powerful emotional cushion. I don't believe I could do this without my husband.
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Post by con's fly is open on Jul 1, 2004 12:55:02 GMT 7
The trick is to hook up with some Chinese families, which will be incredibly easy. You just need bilingual people, and Bob's your uncle. They'll introduce you around, assure everyone you're cool, and it will all settle in. A great tradeoff: you are all instant English lessons just by your mere presence, and they can show you the ropes. Chinese are very clannish, so you'll be tight in short order.  Me, I'd prefer a big city, but everyone's different. |
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Lager
SuperBarfly!
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Post by Lager on Jul 1, 2004 14:15:22 GMT 7
Alexis---A family of 4 came to this school last term. Different than you though the kids were toddlers--2 and 5 I think...They had problems and did not last long. One thing was the ridiculous attention. Chinese would surround them and touch and try to pick up the kids. It was scary for the kids and I think part of the reason they left.
As for the cities you mention I really like Suzhou and Nanjing although I have only spent a few days in each...Lots to see and do in both and good "bases" to travel from...Hangzhou (and West Lake) are really over-rated in my opinion but a lot of Westerners do like it there.
Good luck!
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Wolf
Charter Member and Old Chum
Though this be madness, yet there is method in it.
Posts: 1,150
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Post by Wolf on Jul 1, 2004 15:53:06 GMT 7
If I may ad my ghostly two cents.
Out here (yes, I'm still here, albeit utterly computerless now) there is an Austrailian family. The oldest kid looks to be about 10. The kids don't seem to mind living here, and I never see them recieve undue attention from the locals.
That being said.
A friend of mine came to teach in China at age 18 (she went with an older boyfriend.) She was somewhere in Guangdong - I think Guangzhou but I can't remember for certain. Anyway she despised the attention she recieved, and cited that as the main reason she left China.
Your right about your #1. If you can make it through a year or two here, it'll change your outlook on life completely. From that aspect, it might be a good experience for your kids; depending upon if they can adapt to life here. It all depends on the specific situation you end up in. Your kids could be happy like my Austrailian co-worker's, or they could be put out like my friend. How do your kids feel about this? The more gung ho they are about coming here, the greater the chances that they'll adapt and have an wonderful growing experience.
If you want time for kids, just about any public uni job will give you that. This term I taught 12 class hours per week, and my outside-of-class duties amounted to quite less than that (I didn't earn an awful lot, though... .) If both of you work, odds are you'll have different schedules and therefore at least one of you will be available most times.
One last point. One of the Austrailian family's kids got appendicitis while here. He had an operation done for it here in China, and developed an infection. Health care in China isn't fantastic in most places. Just something you should be aware of.
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Post by alexis on Jul 1, 2004 22:07:19 GMT 7
My lkids are excited, but they of course do not know what to expect. We have traveled outside of the US a few times recently so they are used to that part. Also, we have encouraged them to read everything we could find on the computer. We have been emailing several teachers in China that graduated from the same school and they are being very honest with the children. My biggest fear is getting a salary that will support us (I calculated atleast 5000Y each) and getting in a city that is large enough where we will not be so isolated and stick out like sore thumbs.
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