Raoul's China Saloon (V5.0) Beta

The Bar Room => The Bar (ON-TOPIC) => Topic started by: rmontjoy on March 18, 2010, 04:09:18 AM

Title: Made it to China
Post by: rmontjoy on March 18, 2010, 04:09:18 AM
It's been a while since I posted. I have been super busy with my transition to China and getting settled at my school; Guangdong Baiyun University. It has gone very smoothly. I am thrilled with the school and my apartment. I am especially happy with my students. They are very attentive, polite and eager to learn.

I am having the time of my life and am so pleased that I made the decision to come to China and pursue this teaching life.

Thanks for all your help in making this transition smooth and easy.

The University is everything I was told it would be and better in many respects. It is located a little distance from the city in a small village. The air is clean and the people are very friendly. The University staff is very helpful and accommodating. The hustle and bustle of the city is out of sight, but not too far away. Bus transportation is excellent.

I have met a lot of new friends and am excited about exploring as much of China as I can.

I will keep you posted as things continue to develop here.

Thanks again for your support. This website was a big help.
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: Borkya on March 18, 2010, 04:22:37 AM
Good! Glad to hear things have worked out so well!

 agagagagag
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: chinalin on March 18, 2010, 05:17:25 AM
Hey good to hear good news here.  I hope that the job continues to work out as it has began.  I am 100% happy with my place here in Zhaoqing too.  When you get settled in, you would be more than welcome to come over here for a visit.  Depending on what side of Guangzhou you are, you are probably two hours or less away from here.

Lin
Zhaoqing, Guangdong.
 bxbxbxbxbx
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: AMonk on March 18, 2010, 05:27:01 AM
I have been super busy with my transition to China and getting settled at my school.....I am having the time of my life....I will keep you posted as things continue to develop here.


 agagagagag agagagagag axaxaxaxax agagagagag agagagagag
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: Lotus Eater on March 18, 2010, 05:34:15 AM
Glad you made it!!  Plan on holidays to visit the Saloonies!!
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: Day Dreamer on March 18, 2010, 06:47:03 AM
Hey rmontjoy, I see you landed on your feet. Glad to hear it. When I have some time off, I'll come down and rattle the cage
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: mlaeux on March 18, 2010, 10:02:45 AM
I'm thrilled to hear that everything is going great! Please don't forget to keep us updated. Oh, yea and post lots of pictures (please!) What does your apartment/campus look like?  
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: George on March 18, 2010, 12:00:04 PM
Werry Excellent, montjoy....enjoy! agagagagag agagagagag
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: Fozzwaldus on March 18, 2010, 12:46:08 PM
great news, well done!  agagagagag
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: rmontjoy on March 18, 2010, 02:11:03 PM
Thanks for all the well wishes. For those who have invited me to your school...thanks. I will take you up on the invitation. Also, if you'd like to come to Guangzhou, Baiyun District, Datian Village and see the campus, you are most welcomed to do so.

I tried to post a pic but the file is too large. All my photos are rather large...sorry.
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: Ruth on March 18, 2010, 05:30:44 PM
So glad to hear that your expectations have been exceeded and you are enjoying this new phase of your life.  I hope you continue to enjoy your China experience.

Yay for a success story.   agagagagag
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: rmontjoy on March 18, 2010, 06:36:03 PM
Thanks, Ruth. I owe more than a little thanks to this site and you kind people for giving me some guidance along the way.
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: BrandeX on March 18, 2010, 06:50:11 PM
So much for http://raoulschinasaloon.com/index.php?topic=4828.msg93092;topicseen#msg93092
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: rmontjoy on March 18, 2010, 07:14:00 PM
Well, fortunately for me, my experience has been completely different so far. I have found my apartment spacious, clean, safe and, I assume, modern, by China standards.
The University has kept all it's promises made to me, and more. Nancy has been very gracious, supportive and friendly to me. She is honoring the contract completely. The faculty is very good to me and supports me in every way I would want.
My teaching load is actually a few hours less than I am contractually obligated to teach. I am volunteering to tutor students and groups of students in my spare time, to make up the difference.
I have access to all the very nice athletic facilities at no charge. The internet connection is fast and reliable.
And, like I said previously, the students are awesome. Very polite and very eager to learn English.
So what can I say? Maybe I lucked out...maybe the University has changed it's practices and policies...I don't know. All I know is this has been fantastic for me so far....stay tuned!
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: Schnerby on March 19, 2010, 12:18:56 AM
Glad you're settling in. China sure does have something about it that sucks you in.

You will have some down times, but I hope they're few and far between. Please pop in and give us an update when you can. Especially for those of us not currently in China.  agagagagag
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: Lotus Eater on March 19, 2010, 02:06:26 AM
Way to go Monty!

Places do change, admin rules change, people in high positions move up or down, creating new processes.

In China we can never say 'never'.  Just as we can never say 'always'.



Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: fox on March 24, 2010, 12:39:24 AM





It's been a while since I posted. I have been super busy with my transition to China and getting settled at my school; Guangdong Baiyun University. It has gone very smoothly. I am thrilled with the school and my apartment. I am especially happy with my students. They are very attentive, polite and eager to learn.

I am having the time of my life and am so pleased that I made the decision to come to China and pursue this teaching life.

Thanks for all your help in making this transition smooth and easy.

The University is everything I was told it would be and better in many respects. It is located a little distance from the city in a small village. The air is clean and the people are very friendly. The University staff is very helpful and accommodating. The hustle and bustle of the city is out of sight, but not too far away. Bus transportation is excellent.

I have met a lot of new friends and am excited about exploring as much of China as I can.

I will keep you posted as things continue to develop here.

Thanks again for your support. This website was a big help.



good on you mate.  I did a quick search and came up with this damning report of some peoples experience. 

http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/runawaytrike/bai-yun-university-guangzhou-china-bai-yun-xue-yuan

But it just goes to show that so much depends on the individual. When i came to my current school almost 3years ago, an older guy (a priest) who had been working there for 4 years had nothing but bad things to say about the place,  kids and admin staff so it all depends on your perspective i think and your expectations.
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: rmontjoy on March 24, 2010, 12:43:01 AM
I agree, Fox...so much depends upon our attitude and willingness to change and adapt and accept new ways. As for me, that is why I came to China...to experience a new way of life and learn to appreciate another culture radically different than my own. Thanks for your comment.
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: Con ate dog on March 28, 2010, 08:07:32 AM
Keep the momentum going!  Put effort into learning Chinese, and especially meeting more people and making more connections.  That's what will power you through the year.
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: rmontjoy on March 28, 2010, 03:27:34 PM
Tanks Con Ate Dog...I am picking up some Chinese...my students like to help me! As for connections, I know it's important here and will do my best. Right now I'm just having fun.
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: Fozzwaldus on March 29, 2010, 01:09:53 AM
Tanks Con Ate Dog...I am picking up some Chinese...my students like to help me! As for connections, I know it's important here and will do my best. Right now I'm just having fun.

Happy to hear that mate, and long may it continue!  agagagagag
Title: Re: Made it to China
Post by: rmontjoy on March 29, 2010, 04:45:13 AM
Thanks, Fozzwaldus...me too.