Since we work with both public and private schools, your school could be one of several
types: a boarding school where the children live and eat on the school campus; a school
where students travel home on weekends; or a public school where the students come and
go every day. Private schools often have more resources and are able to provide a step-up
in apartments. Both public and private offer very reasonable and sanitary living conditions.
What will my apartment be like in China?
The school is responsible for providing a free, clean, furnished, climate-controlled (meaning
heat and AC, which is not common in China) apartment. However, be aware that Chinese
heating and AC sources may not be as efficient as you are accustomed. Though the
apartment is heated, it may still be 'cool' in your standards. Remember that you are living in a
developing country. Utilities are an area of negotiations for some schools. Certain ones ask
the teachers to cover their electricity each month, whereas others will automatically cover all
expenses. Please be considerate with respect to these services by not wasting water or
electricity, especially when the school is covering the costs.
The layout style of each apartment differs regarding number of bedrooms and whether or not
a kitchen is provided. All apartments are contracted to have a private bathroom and shower
with a western-style toilet. However there are a few schools that are still 'modernizing' which
have 'squat' toilets. Most furnishings include a TV, VCD/DVD player, telephone, bed with
coverings, wardrobe cabinet, desk, chair/couch, refrigerator, computer with internet access,
and a washing machine. China Horizons, however, cannot guarantee each of these
amenities. All the rooms are private with a lock and key issued to the foreign teacher.
What will the eating conditions be like?
Some schools offer free meals at the cafeteria on campus while others expect the teachers to
pay for their own meals out of their monthly living allowance/salary. Schools without
cafeterias and the means to feed teachers, will provide a kitchen in the apartment for the
teacher to cook independently. If the school provides a kitchen with the apartment and a
teacher would rather cook independently than eat at the cafeteria for free, then he/she is
responsible for all grocery costs. You should be aware that the cafeteria food is Chinese
food and varies vastly from western tastes. Sometimes several weeks are required before
one becomes accustomed to this change of diet. Much of the Chinese diet consists of
noodles, rice, steamed/deep fried meat and vegetables, fish, chicken, pork, and beef. Most
teachers LOVE the food and miss it. You will most likely be asked to try something very
'foreign.' What you eat is up to you. Just be polite about it.
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