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Arrive in china BEFORE teaching placement?/

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ilovelucy555
  1/7/2016 02:04 EST

I think I accidentally submitted my last post too early.
Here are the main points because I don't feel like typing all of this over again,

1. I am working with a teaching agency in China. They offer 5000RMB and an apartment along with several other accommodations such as visa and airfare reimbursement, and bonus.
2. They matched me with a school which i interviewed with and I did not like. They interviewer was 45 minutes late, was rude, and kept calling me by the wrong name. i ask to be placed with another school.
3. The agency offered to match me with another school with no problem.
4. They also offered me the option of arriving to China WITHOUT A PLACEMENT SECURED, and offered to accommodate me as long as I am signed with them in the interim.

IS THIS NORMAL? OR IS THIS A TOTAL RED FLAG?

They sent me a contract that outlines my dates of arrival, and my pay once i start teaching. The pay once i begin teaching is 5000RMB monthly.
My questions is, how can an agency be so sure that I will be placed, to the point where they are willing to pay for my apartment?
Is this common practice?
I have it in writing, but it that enough?

Here are a few excerpts of the messages they sent me:

"Thank you for both of your emails, as long as you are with us in China we will always provide accommodation. Normally all schools from kindergarten to universities ask us to provide them with Foreign English Teachers. I'm sure there will be a school amongst them that you will be perfect for.
I can totally understand your nerves as I have been there, but I had so much help and support from the company when I came out I wasn't worried after I was taken out of a school because I was unhappy, our manager himself does prefer the teachers to come out without a job because he realises that face to face interviews are better.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or queries we are all here to help you."


"Thank you for your email, it wouldn't be worth coming to China before the 13th Feb because of the Chinese New Year All China shuts and all schools will close for a month. Some schools do not even come to us for teachers until about 2 days before they are needed as well.
Please do not worry about accommodation as while you are with us you will be provided with accommodation.
Our manager never lets any teacher go for too long without a placement so if my colleagues in the office can't find you a placement our manager will find you a placement. So please believe me when I say as a company we will find you a placement without a doubt.
Our manager has his own contacts who prefer just to contact him. Also he has been in the job for coming up to 14 years and he has never failed in placing a teacher.

Please don't hesitate if I you have any further questions, queries or concerns we are here to help."

ANY FEEDBACK, SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS, WARNINGS, SLAPS, SIRENS????

usarailway
  1/9/2016 20:09 EST

I would suggest you stay at Hong Kong and wait for your new assignment. Many friends of mine were not able to convert from tourist visa to working visa after arrival.

In the mean time, if you want the reliable uncensored internet access, check out the Alpha gogo router in the US @ alphallc.co.

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