Does anybody know anything about this school? I just saw them pop on on Search yesterday, and they have a science position open. However, I have seen no reviews yet, so am wondering about the school (I have already researched Shenyang).
Thanks!
Shenyang Pacific International Academy
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shadowjack
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alecsmario
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spia
I to am interested in this school, especially on the englsih and physical education jobs for me and my girlfriend. any new info beside the website?
would apreciate any info!
would apreciate any info!
There is A LOT of difference between North America cold and China cold.
I worked in China for 6 years, traveled a lot there, and there was always something very depressing about northern China when it is cold, much more so than any other country I have been to.
I would definitely not do it unless you have lived in China before.
I worked in China for 6 years, traveled a lot there, and there was always something very depressing about northern China when it is cold, much more so than any other country I have been to.
I would definitely not do it unless you have lived in China before.
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shadowjack
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Senator, when you live in a small town some 17 hours drive from the nearest major center, with a river that shuts down traffic twice a year during freeze up and break up, and where you can be across town in minutes, you get a feel for the cold.
Students at my school didn't go outside if the temperature was below -32 F. So one year, students didn't have outdoor recess for SEVEN weeks.
And yes, the wind blows because there isn't much vegetation to stop it!
Students at my school didn't go outside if the temperature was below -32 F. So one year, students didn't have outdoor recess for SEVEN weeks.
And yes, the wind blows because there isn't much vegetation to stop it!
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eion_padraig
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I had a friend from Harbin while I was in Shanghai. She hated winters in Shanghai, and I asked her if it wasn't a lot better down in Shanghai that Harbin given the temperature. Her response was the central heating found in Northern China made things pleasant, while the lack of heating at her university in Shanghai combined with the damp made things quite unpleasant. Remembering having to teach English in non-insulated, non-heated buildings in Shanghai with gloves that had the tips of the fingers cut off so I could hold chalk, I can see her point.
Granted, the farthest North I've been in China during the winter is Beijing.
Sounds like Shadowjack would be able to handle the cold just fine to me.
I don't have direct knowledge of the school, but here are my thoughts based on a pretty good understanding of China and reading their English and Chinese parts of their website. First, I wouldn't say that Shenyang is a city that is prone to get large numbers of ex-pats compared to some other Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou but also even Suzhou, Hanghzhou, Nanjing, Chengdu, Tianjin). Looking at their website, this place screams 'private Chinese high school'. They may have a few ex-pat students, but I bet the majority are Chinese nationals. Look for it to be managed more like a Chinese school than an international school or a US school. Pay will be lower because of that, though Shenyang is likely to be far less expensive than some other major Chinese cities especially if you stick to Chinese food. I suspect Western food and brands will be harder to find.
On a side note, the Chinese dialect people would speak on a day-to-day basis would be very close to Mandarin. It would be a great place to learn to speak Mandarin if you have the motivation. It would be a great place to get a Chinese experience. My friends who taught English up there loved the people, though the cold got to them.
Probably a good place to get some experience, but if you are an experienced science teacher, there would be better schools and better paid positions available.
Good luck.
Granted, the farthest North I've been in China during the winter is Beijing.
Sounds like Shadowjack would be able to handle the cold just fine to me.
I don't have direct knowledge of the school, but here are my thoughts based on a pretty good understanding of China and reading their English and Chinese parts of their website. First, I wouldn't say that Shenyang is a city that is prone to get large numbers of ex-pats compared to some other Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou but also even Suzhou, Hanghzhou, Nanjing, Chengdu, Tianjin). Looking at their website, this place screams 'private Chinese high school'. They may have a few ex-pat students, but I bet the majority are Chinese nationals. Look for it to be managed more like a Chinese school than an international school or a US school. Pay will be lower because of that, though Shenyang is likely to be far less expensive than some other major Chinese cities especially if you stick to Chinese food. I suspect Western food and brands will be harder to find.
On a side note, the Chinese dialect people would speak on a day-to-day basis would be very close to Mandarin. It would be a great place to learn to speak Mandarin if you have the motivation. It would be a great place to get a Chinese experience. My friends who taught English up there loved the people, though the cold got to them.
Probably a good place to get some experience, but if you are an experienced science teacher, there would be better schools and better paid positions available.
Good luck.
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shadowjack
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- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am
Thanks for that Eion. Harbin is actually only a 3 hour G train ride (330 km an hour) from Shenyang and looks very cool for the winter festival. As to the city, having been to China before I realize it will not be like home, but there are cosmopolitan spots it appears and a modicum of western places/faces, although not to the degree of Shanghai or Beijing.
However, opportunities won't always be in the most desirable places, so you have to be determined to go where opportunities are for your own reasons, cold be damned! LOL
However, opportunities won't always be in the most desirable places, so you have to be determined to go where opportunities are for your own reasons, cold be damned! LOL
Harbin as a city is cool but I found the ice festival a waste of time. All the exhibits are massively overpriced, small, and tacky.
Also, if it is a Chinese run school, expect them to practice cost-saving measures such as not turning on the heating unless absolutely necessary. My school (which is in northern China) doesn't turn on the heating until the thermostat goes below 18 degrees celsius. Expect the same (or worse) in this school if it is Chinese run. It is common to go into shops and businesses and see all the workers in down jackets and gloves - people are obsessed with saving money up here.
Also, if it is a Chinese run school, expect them to practice cost-saving measures such as not turning on the heating unless absolutely necessary. My school (which is in northern China) doesn't turn on the heating until the thermostat goes below 18 degrees celsius. Expect the same (or worse) in this school if it is Chinese run. It is common to go into shops and businesses and see all the workers in down jackets and gloves - people are obsessed with saving money up here.
shadowjack, you might want to keep in mind that in winters in North America most people have some reprieve from the winter - central heat, a sauna, hot showers.
I've even found winter in relatively warmer Europe to be less comfortable than winter in Minnesota because of the difference between my idea of a comfortable indoor temperature and the indoor temperature of a 100-year old drafty German villa. In Minnesota, I could get warm but in Germany it was like there was no 100% relief from it.
So... while the outdoor temperatures might be comparable, I don't think it's that easy.
Just my two cents, as someone who spent so many months being cold. All. the. time.
I've even found winter in relatively warmer Europe to be less comfortable than winter in Minnesota because of the difference between my idea of a comfortable indoor temperature and the indoor temperature of a 100-year old drafty German villa. In Minnesota, I could get warm but in Germany it was like there was no 100% relief from it.
So... while the outdoor temperatures might be comparable, I don't think it's that easy.
Just my two cents, as someone who spent so many months being cold. All. the. time.
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shadowjack
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@txteach - you can buy the lower face warmers with the nose cover...or a balaclava :-)
Looking at weather in Shenyang, it appears to get cold in mid to late November and warm up in March, so about 5 1/2 months of winter. The fall and spring months, weather-wise, seem to be quite nice. The summer looks horrible, but with holidays people wouldn't be there for most part.
Plus in the winter....2 weeks off at Xmas and 3 weeks off in Feb...so destination SUN!
Hmmm....
Looking at weather in Shenyang, it appears to get cold in mid to late November and warm up in March, so about 5 1/2 months of winter. The fall and spring months, weather-wise, seem to be quite nice. The summer looks horrible, but with holidays people wouldn't be there for most part.
Plus in the winter....2 weeks off at Xmas and 3 weeks off in Feb...so destination SUN!
Hmmm....
If this is the school that used to be managed by ISS and has only been open for about 3 or 4 years I would stay far away. I have a friend who worked at that school (I'm pretty sure this is the one but not 100%) and had to leave after one year of the contract because of racism and harassment. They also had very few students