International Office SXNU, Page 2

Please stay in tou with your family and friends while in China.  Living overseas, especially in a culture so distinctively different from what your are accustomed to in the west can be a source of stress.  Ask some of the other foreign teachers about low-rate calling cards/plans that are available for calling into China.  Mail, including magazine and newspaper subscriptions can be sent to the following address.

The address of the University is:

The apartment provides heating from November 15^th to March 15^th (and electric heaters, if necessary) Each apartment also has an air conditioning unit.

After arrival teachers are expected to contact the departments concerned. The dean will introduce the Chinese educational system, as well as the University’s teaching system, teaching plan and other requirements.

The Dean of the Foreign Languages can assist in solving the problems regarding the teaching activities in the department.

If adjustments to the teaching schedule are needed, the teacher must discuss it with the Dean. Lectures cannot be cancelled without prior notice and teachers are expected to make full use of their teaching periods.

Teachers should go to the INTERNATIONAL OFFICE, if they need medical care or help in arranging a private Chinese language class and for help in their travel arrangements (with students).  You will find that there are any number of students willing to take the time to teach you to speak Chinese.  Being able to speak a some Chinese will make your stay here much more enjoyable and your efforts will be appreciated by your students and those you encounter in China.  Remember, if you wish to travel to an area designated restricted (not open) you MUST apply for a travel permit from the INTERNATIONAL OFFICE. But, to-date, there are very few remaining in P. R. China.

The Cable TV provided to the apartment includes CCTV 9 (English language news and propaganda channel).  Occasionally CCTV 6 will show English language movies.  All other broadcasts are in Chinese.  It is legal for foreign residents to purchase a satellite television system.

The Chinese Government adheres to a policy of freedom of religious belief and respect for one’s personal beliefs.  Linfen has at least one Christian church whose services are conducted in Chinese.  Foreign teachers in China are not permitted to distribute religious books or articles, to proselytize, or to organize underground religious groups.

Teachers wishing to stay on at the University after their contract expires should open negotiations with the International Office in good time.  Pay special attention to the expiration date on your visa.  The school agreeing to allow you to stay a short time as a guest has nothing to do with your visa being extended or to applying for a tourist visa.  Overstays on visa can incur heavy fines.  If continuing work, new contracts can be signed once an agreement is reached, and the International Office can then arrange the extension of visas and residence permits.

Salary scales are at present divided into two categories:

FIRST CATEGORY: Teachers directly invited by Shanxi Normal University. In this case, the University directly pays the teachers a salary, living expenses, and indirectly pays for teacher-accommodations, cost of transportation to and from work site (e.g., apartment, meals, train fare, while in Beijing) and the medical expenses according to the Chinese medical system.  But the teacher must have their own medical insurance.

SECOND CATEGORY: Teachers sent to China by foreign institutions. The second category covers those teachers sent directly by foreign institutions, governments and people’s organizations.  Salaries and living conditions in this category are decided by special agreements or under relevant clauses in the contract.

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