1. Visa. The teacher should show the letter of invitation (agreement or contract) to the representative body of the Chinese Government (embassy, consult, or other authorized organ) in your country so that a visa can be obtained.

2. Necessary items for teaching. The teacher should consider and prepare in advance what he/she may wish to bring, as: tapes, videos dictionaries and other reference books, teaching materials, and background information on the literature, culture, and history of their own countries. Visual aid equipment is available in the department.

3. Clothing. The choice of clothes depends on the climate and the heating facilities in the living accommodations provided. In short, you need summer, fall, and winter attire (When its hot, it’s hot; and when it’s cold it’s cold!).  Your apartment is heated, but only from the 15^th of November to the 15^th of March; in the summer it’s rather hot and in the winter it is rather cold. The annual average temperature is 12.2 C; in summer the highest temperature is 37 C, and in winter the lowest temperature is around 13 C.  It ‘s advisable to wait and buy a good, heavy or down, coat when you get here, as they are just too bulky and heavy to pack. (See suggestions from former teachers and the section on climate.)

4. Medicines. The University will arrange all necessary treatment at any hospitals in the area, and we will do our best to provide the best possible care, the University has its own clinic, and in Linfen City there are other hospitals and clinics available. There are supermarkets and pharmacies, which sell both Western and Chinese medicine. It is advisable to use Chinese medicine, as there are fewer side-effects. You should bring supplies of any medicines you commonly use and need.

5. Air ticket. The teacher is free to arrange his/her own travel and ticketing, providing he/she notifies the FAO well in advance. If the ticket will be provided by the University, it will be by CAAC, and the teacher will be informed of when to go to the nearest CAAC office to pick up the ticket. The University will pay those, who make their own way, the cost of single economic class ticket by the shortest route in RMB (cash) when they get to the University (one-half at the end of each semester). See the appendix for more information on foreign airlines in China.

6. Documents needed.
   Resume and any other relevant documents, in English, should be submitted with your application.

The resumé should include the following information:

1. Name, sex, nationality, date and place of birth. Present address and occupation;

2. Academic record from the secondary level (secondary school, university or college, research institute, major course followed, thesis written, degrees obtained;

3. Professional titles;

4. Current state of health, list of previous illnesses;

5. Date of arrival (if you know), and the intended length of stay in China;

6. Type of work and department, etc. sought in China

7. Details of spouse and children (name, sex, nationality, date and place of birth. Present address and occupation, educational level, whether to accompany the applicant to China);

8. Basic details of any previous stays abroad, including country, the type of work, and length of stay;

9. Details of special interests, abilities, and other language skills, and at what level

Other documents should be included as follows:

1. Copy of academic and graduation certificates

2. Copy of certificate of employment from the current place of work

3. A letter of recommendation from the place of work or academic department

4. Recent certificate of health from a certified doctor or hospital (the University website has a downloadable Health Form)