Hi All,

I've found that S2Ki is a community that goes above and beyond just a few guys talking about the S2000 (not that there's anything wrong with that )

I'm a bit of a globetrotter. I've lived here and there and now residing again in Holland, but working and travelling all around the world.

Recently, I've developed an interest in working in China. I have some leads which would potentially be able to get me in a position over there.

Are there any members or visitors here that can give me any useful information? Please let me know if there is anybody here that can help me. (PM me in case you would like to discuss more privately rather than in this public forum).

I'm looking for information such as social aspects (how are foreigners that want/try to live in China perceived by locals), financial aspects (housing, salary etc.) and other stuff that will be useful. I have never actually been to China yet!

Thanks for your interest and if you can help me with info, let me know!




Siepel


(Edited: Removed signature. After removing it I realized my location at almost street level is printed to the left of this post anyway..... - I hope my boss doesn't read this board!!!!)

 

First question: Do you speak Mandarin? I would say China does not have the infrastructures in place yet to take in non-speakers. You may be able to find English speaking (or whatever language you speak) companies that are willing to hire foreigners, but in terms of day-to-day living, you will need to be able to speak the local language.

Exactly what do you do for a living? What kind of "work" are you looking for? As usual, foreign language teaching is in big demand in China now, especially when taught by native foreign language speakers.

 

Here's a pointer: there are a lot of Chinese there. A LOT!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by WhiteS2k
First question: Do you speak Mandarin?

 

Sorry, cannot help you with those questions. All the people I know who work in China are expatriates from the US -- in other words, they actually work for a US company on the US payroll. They do get housing, transportation (with a chauffeur), and maid services included, plus travel back to the US twice a year. It is difficult for me to estimate what a non-expatriat technical person would be making as a "local" worker. Good luck with your decision. And if you find out the answers to your questions, please come back here and fill us in, I may be interested in trying it as well if the money is good enough.

 

Want to work in China? Where to begin...

First off you don't need to speak Chinese to work there - in big cities there are plenty of well educated work force who can communicate in English just fine. But the problem is that you're basically limited to the big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, or Shenzhen. Depending on your expertise, experience, etc. you can probably find a job quite easily because Chinese still view non-Asian foreigners with a type of silly respect that may be stemming from curiousity or simply embarrassment at the inability to communicate properly.

Housing wise you're again fairly limited to more expensive (but probably still 1/2 the cost of similar housing in Europe) housing than if you're a native. However, I would caution against living outside the Euro/American zone or where they congregate. You're better off being one of many rather than one out of many.

Cost wise you can either live as expensively as you want, or as frugal as you want depending on your diet habits. A good meal in China's major cities (local Chinese food) should cost you no more than USD$10 for 2 people. But if you don't know the venue or not able to try things out, McDonalds, KFC, and other fast food chains are as expensive as it is in the states and Europe if not more so.

I would say as a complete newbie in China you can expect to be conned out of some money one way or another, but learn those lessons quick and don't repeat it. There are too much other things to tell you, but I'm a bit tired from traveling today.

I'm lucky that I speak the language fairly well (with a bit of what the locals would consider an accent), I can read, but can't write very well. My company has cars and chauffers so I don't go out unescorted (I don't recommend going out alone) when I'm in China.

Good luck.

 

Thanks Mingster,

That's already some pretty useful information!

I'm used to travelling 'into the new' and recognize that sort of arrangements.

Although nothing is certain at this point, there is a slight chance that I could join a Western company over there. Surely they will be helpful when the time is there, but BEFORE that is the case, I would have to reach agreement on the usual stuff like salary and benefits (etc. etc.)

So is there anybody that has some experience (maybe family member or friend etc. etc.) that actually lives/lived over there? Please pick their minds for me.

Transportation: Should one get a company car, or only chauffeured car, or don't even bother and take public transport.

Salary: When it is about the same as a regular US salary, you can have a pretty good life over there? Or is a salary increase necessary to live with reasonable standard. (I think unlikely, but what do I know!) We're looking at locations in the vincinity of Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing perhaps.

Housing: When it's offered through work, is it the same as those awful nasty Korean dormatories? Or usually nice standard? (Please tell me the Korean style dormatory doesn't exist in China... )

More tips and tricks: Please!!

Thanks again for your time and effort! I really appreciate your help!


Siepel

 

I think there are Chinese in China, and they speak Chinese too (different dialects).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Siepel
Although nothing is certain at this point, there is a slight chance that I could join a Western company over there. Surely they will be helpful when the time is there, but BEFORE that is the case, I would have to reach agreement on the usual stuff like salary and benefits (etc. etc.)
...
Transportation: Should one get a company car, or only chauffeured car, or don't even bother and take public transport.

 

Siepel, I've worked in HK for close to 6 years then another 4 in Singapore and Thailand. For China, I havea few friends there and they love it. To get a better idea, I highly recommend this site... http://www.icered.com it'll give you an immediate assessment to where you need to go and where you want to be... good luck!