HUAIBEI COAL INDUSTRY TEACHERS' COLLEGE

[Lotus Eater]

Well this recruiter/pretend friend person was teaching at the institution my source was citing. But my source felt that perhaps there were little deals being done behind the door. She didn't like feeling she was being made a fool of and used for someone else to make good connections to further their own ends.

One of the good things is the grapevine - one of the bad things is the grapevine. I've seen teachers gain and lose jobs through the grapevine - and the Chinese grapevine has very far reaching tendrils.

I have been offered jobs - "I have a friend who told me about you ....". It is fun and very nice for the ego. And when I move on, I am planning on it being somewhere that has been recommended by someone I can trust and who recommends me in the reverse direction. I have friends here and at home who have these good connections.

BUT - if I am looking for myself, because the places they recommend are too civilised (so far they have been in Shanghai and Beijing), I don't want to be lied to or conned. I don't want a situation like Bubbas.

Type of school you've been at doesn't matter when they are looking for a white face. Poaching is common! In my first semseter in Xi'an I had the Dean and Assistant Dean from another univerity sit in on my classes and then very quietly offer me a job!! I played very dumb with them and was sure to let the university I was working at know that I had visitors to my class - I thanked them for the opportunity of showing what university A was doing....

[George61]

But credit where credit is due, he did seem to have the same experience, due to the fact that was his experience. I am not a complete moron

Whew!! I'm glad we got that one sorted.

[acjade]

deborann said:

Type of school you've been at doesn't matter when they are looking for a white face. Poaching is common!

I haven't been poached and the companies I'll be working for next year definately don't just want a white face. They want results.

My advice to anyone coming to work in China is find an institution that offers you a reasonable work situation, an apartment where you can cook for yourself ( well if your like me and enjoy domesticity) and then knuckle down to work.

I haven't had a holiday in two years and I can tell you when I'm on that train to Suzhou I don't care if I have Jack the farter in the soft sleeper with me, I'm gonna relax and see the beautiful sights of Suzhou and connect with some expats who understand how I feel.

[con's fly is open]

If you're curious about Bubba's clarifications addresed to me above, go back and read my first post on page one.

Yeah, Bubba, I did simplify, and misspoke a tad. Plus, I didn't take QiQi's contract into account. You are also certainly right about the existence of other horrid schools. And on re-reading my post, I kind of end up making you out to be a gullible moron. Sorry, that REALLY wasn't my intent, and is certainly NOT my opinion of either of you.

I remain saddened that you spent years in a miserable place, followed by only a couple of months in a decent place. I'm happy for you both that you're back in the States, and I know you had planned to go as soon as you could for quite some time.

Nonetheless, you story stands out as the worst I've ever personally heard: intimidation, disrespect, hatred, an organized mob of houligans, and a feeling of imminent personal danger. It simply blows my mind. I'd hate for viewers to think that this is a likely scenario in China.

But, yeah, buyer beware, in China as anywhere.

[woza17]

Con you are so nice. I am sure Bubba understands what you really meant and they are a great couple. I would love to hear how you are both going in the States. It sort of tells you something about the strength of their bond together.

[acjade]

I'm waiting for the novel, Bubba.