Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How large is the
city of Linfen?
Linfen and its surround
areas have upwards of 4 million residents but the number of city residents
is considerably less.
2. What international
restaurants does Linfen have?
Linfen has several
western style restaurants including a McDonalds (6789200*), KFC,
Dicos (2013288*) (fast food), a couple of coffee shops, and a Korean
Restaurant, a Brazilian BBQ and a Pizza Buffet (2698333*). Several
restaurants will deliver to your residence Be prepared to order in Chinese
or get help from someone.*
Refer to the map.
3. Is travel from
Linfen to other destinations in China easily accomplished?
Linfen has both a train
and bus stations. Staff in the The International Office will assist in
purchasing tickets if the teachers desires to travel.
4. What is there to do
in or around Linfen?
There are several cities,
parks or mountains that can be reached all within a days travel by bus or by
train. The International Office plans from time to time to help teachers
get a first hand taste of China. Linfen as many small shops for those who
enjoy shopping. There is also a movie theater, which occasionally shows
English language films. There are often cultural/art programs at the
university as well.
There are several full-service gyms in the city. At the current
exchange rate it will cost you about 1300 RMB
($170 U.S.- check exchange rates) for a years membership. Because the Chinese have a habit of using their
long lunchtime break
to take a nap, the gym is empty during lunch time. This is also a good
time to do any shopping if you want to avoid crowds.
There is a small amusement park which
includes some rides and pedal boats east of campus. There are also
several dance clubs and karaoke establishments.
Yao Temple (named for the first
Emperor) is a short taxi ride from campus and boasts buildings which
identify the area as the birth of Chinese culture. The temple area
includes an aquarium, as well.
5. What is the typical
salary of a foreign teacher?
Typically teachers
who hold a BA or BS, earn 4500 RMB monthly for 16-18 hours of class work.
Working less or more than 16 hours will decrease or increase the salary
working more than 18 will increase your salary. Typically it is a 1000
RMB increase for an additional 4 classes per week.
6 What is the
university's policy regarding airfare reimbursement.
The university will
reimburse the teacher for the cost of one roundtrip air ticket the teacher's
home country upon the completion of a one year contract.
7. What does the
apartment come equipped with?
Teachers are provided
with a modern, clean apartment in the apartment building behind the library
on campus. The apartment is equipped with a small kitchen,
bathroom, bedroom, living room and balcony where clothes can be hung to
dry. The apartment has an air conditioning unit and is heated with
boilers between Nov.
15 and March 15 (according to Chinese law). Portable heaters are
provided as needed. The apartments have a
television with cable TV and a full complement of furniture. The kitchen has a washing
machine, counter/sink area, gas stove and refrigerator.
Teachers are also provided with a computer in their apartments.
8. Do
the apartments have an internet connection?
The teacher can
have an internet connection in their apartment but will be responsible for
monthly, semi-annual, or annual fees. The current rate is
approximately 50 RMB a
month for an always on connection with download rates at around 200 mbps.
The internet is paid along with your phone bill.
9. What is the cost of
living in Linfen?
While this has not
been precisely calculated, the cost of food is considerably less than
it is in the United States. The cost of clothing and electronics
comparable to costs in the United States. Housing and utilities
are included with the teacher's contract. There is a monthly
base telephone
fee of 15 RMB, plus any additional calls are the responsibility of
the teacher. On campus calls (to other teachers, for example)
are not charged. The cost of a movie is approximately 30 RMB.
The typical salary of a teacher at SXNU is more than enough for the
teacher to live very comfortably. A taxi ride is 5 RMB to most
locations in the city.
A loaf
of bread is 3-5 RMB. A bottle of coke is 2.5 - 3 RMB.
10. What is shopping
like in Linfen.
Within 2 minutes walking
from the Foreign Teachers Apartment there is a restaurant, a branch of the
Bank of China, an office supplies store, a mobile phone branch office, a
farmer's market type fruit/vegetable stand, a barber shop and an
optometrist.
The city has a wide
variety of small stores as well as two large supermarkets (Wongef in four
locations, and Milky
Way in one location) which sell groceries, clothing, appliances and electronics.
Refer to the map.
11. How large is the
student body at SXNU?
The student body has
approximately 20,000 students.
12. How large is the
campus.
SXNU main campus is on 50
acres with two smaller campuses in another part of Linfen.
Refer to the map.
13. Does
SXNU have
weekend classes?
No.
Occasionally the English Promotion Society or some similar organization
will conduct an "English Corner" discussion opportunity on the weekend.
Students will invite you to attend these events, typically 2 hours long.
