About minimconsulting

Status:

Repatriate 

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Suffolk, United Kingdom

Citizen Of:

United Kingdom

HR/Relo
Professional:

Provider of Expat-Related Services & Products

Some Forum Posts:

China: Banking in Beijing:

Such horror stories should no longer apply to the main branches of Chinese banks in the centre of Beijing; though they might still to the local branches in the rural suburbs (e.g. Shunyi). We had no problems 10 years ago! You should have a primary account with a US or UK bank, for the purpose of transfering funds from/to home and your local account. The only inconvenience we found was there being no denomination larger than RMB 100, which can mean that handling cash takes longer than at home. China is not leading the economic recovery for nothing!

China: Electricity in Beijing:

Depending on your accommodation, you may find that you already have compatible sockets and voltage. The electricity supply in the centre of Berijing and expat accommodation was pretty reliable when we lived there 10 years ago, and certainly better than some other Asian and even Western countries. It has to be to support the factories and business community. From the tone of this and your other enquiry (re banks), I suspect you are in for a shock when you discover how far China is ahead of the West in many respects. I remember trying to buy DVDs in the UK to take back to China: no-one knew what I was talking about! Best wishes.

China: teaching English in China:

Depends which TEFL you have, and other qualifications. If year-long DipTEFL (equivalent to taught MA), plus first degree and post-grad teaching qualification (like my wife), then try the British Council. If not, then any overseas teaching agency. Sorry to sound elitist

China: I have been cheated in nanning by a hired translator:

I am bi-lingual English-Spanish, so you could write to me fully in Spanish if that is easier at china.consulting@minim.biz Meanwhile, I suspect that you have been "had" - 'te han engañado'

China: candian and chinese have a baby! URGENT!:

I may be a bit out of date, but: Usual procedure is (1) get marriage permit (2) get married (3) get baby permit (4) have baby. You have missed out steps 1-3! You risk your baby being not only illegitimate but also an illegal "non-person" born outside wedlock. Also, China does not recognise dual citizenship: the baby can be Chinese or Canadian but not both You need to talk to your embassy urgently. Best of luck

China: Life in China:

You asked for an honest reply: Marriage is hard enough, and so is the expat life, once the novelty and initial glamour of both have faded. You may want to move on from China eventually - will she? My wife and I have just celebrated 40 years marriage, 12+ of them abroad. This may sound clinical, but I chose a fellow modern languages student of equal intellect, and the same nationality and religion, who would follow me round the world, learn the new languages, bring up children, run the home (with domestic help) and could continue with her own career (British Council). And yes it was a "coup de foudre", but has not always been a question of "amor vincit omnia". THINK AHEAD - a wife is for life, not just a passing fancy. We have seen too many expat marriages break up when the husband's career prospects clashed with the wife's comfort zone

China: Does china recognize foreign driving licenses?:

It is unlikely that you will be allowed to drive temporarily on a foreign license. Even if you can: many expats employ Chinese drivers for several reasons including (1) the traffic is horrendous (2) road signs are in Chinese (3) they have greater freedom of movement than foreigners (4) the process for obtaining a license may involve unpleasant medical tests and surrendering your home license. See my book "Living and working in China", How to Books (Oxford) available from Amazon

China: Cordless Phones:

You will probably be able to get a better and cheaper phone in China, so I wouldn't even bother worrying about such a trivial detail!

China: Kids in Bejing:

Please see my book "Living and Working in China", How to Books, Oxford, UK, available on Amazon; also my article on ExpatExchange about activities for children in Beijing

China: Moving to Beijing?:

Please see my book "Living and Working in China", How to Books, Oxford, UK, available on Amazon

Date Joined:

6/22/2002

Total Posts:

56

Posts/Day:

0.01