China Bound A Guide to Academic Life and Work in the PRC (1987) / Chapter Skim
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2. Preparing for the Trip
2. Preparing for the Trip
Pages 7-40
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From page 7... ...
ARRANGING TO LEAVE THE UNITED STATES Sponsoring organizations in the United States or China generally provide detailed information on travel arrangements, visas, shipping procedures, methods of payment while abroad, and regulations and procedures governing specific cases. Because there is constant change in regulations, services, and procedures, you should seek specific information on these matters from your sponsor.
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From page 8... ...
by the State Education Commission, the Foreign Experts Bureau, the ministry responsible for particular institutions, or the foreign affairs office of the provincial government depending on the hiring unit. When you apply for the visa, send as much supporting evidence as you can—including copies of contracts, letters of acceptance, or other documents—to prove that you are expected in China.
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From page 9... ...
Many American residents in China travel to Japan for medical or dental care or for recreation, shopping, or research. For the addresses of the nearest Japanese Consulate, write or call: Embassy of Japan 2514 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202-234-2266)
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From page 10... ...
Because the host organization must clear the dates with the China Travel Service and then communicate its approval to issue the visa to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the United States, the process can be complicated and time consuming. Some Americans have secured Chinese tourist visas for individual travel in Hong Kong within a few days.
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From page 11... ...
HHS 86-8280.) For information on health conditions in developing countries, contact International Travel Clinic Johns Hopkins University Hampton House 624 N
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From page 12... ...
Although the official Chinese government regulations affecting foreign students, researchers, and teachers in China and the health certificate required from such persons have not yet been changed, the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., reports that all Americans who will be in China for one year or longer are required to be tested for AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) prior to commencing their program in China.
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From page 13... ...
bank that has an international division with correspondent relations with China (many major banks in large cities offer this service) ; funds can then be wired to a Chinese bank account as needed.
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From page 14... ...
According to American Express officials, at designated branches of the Bank of China in 42 cities, you may write a personal check for up to Y500 with an American Express green card and Y2,000 with a gold card. (The official exchange rate in January 1987 was Y3.71 to US$1.00.)
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From page 15... ...
American Express advises that only major hotels, retail stores (such as Friendship Stores and other stores catering to foreigners) , and restaurants authorized by the Bank of China will accept credit cards.
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From page 16... ...
o Heavy books and other professional supplies are best shipped separately; your Chinese host institution should be requested to handle customs clearance as part of its support for your activities in China. o You should be prepared to encounter what you might judge to be arbitrary and excessive customs duties levied on any packages sent by international mail.
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From page 17... ...
Baggage allowances for traveling within Asia, including China, are also calculated by weight; the 44-pound limit applies in most countries. Thus, it is possible that if you travel within China, or if you stop in Hong Kong or Tokyo or Shanghai, for example, before going on to your final destination in China, you may be charged for excess baggage weight even though you stayed within the limit on your U.S.
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From page 18... ...
TEACHERS: HIRING, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, FINANCES As noted previously, the distinction between a "foreign teacher" and a "foreign expert" is extremely important because it affects all arrangements for a teaching assignment in China. Foreign Experts The number of foreign expert positions is determined each year by the State Council of the People's Republic of China.
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From page 19... ...
Benefits Following is a list of benefits that foreign experts will receive while in China. · International Travel: If your term of service in China as a foreign expert is at least one calendar (or academic)
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From page 20... ...
Salaries The salaries of foreign teachers, which are paid in renm~nbi, are usually lower than those of foreign experts. And unlike the salary arrangements for foreign experts, some host institutions do not permit foreign teachers to convert any of their salaries to foreign currency (i.e., to foreign exchange certificates)
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From page 21... ...
You should check with your host institution regarding its particular policies. · Vacations: At any particular institution, vacation arrangements and allowances for foreign teachers may be similar to those for foreign experts; but again, it is wise to check on specifics with the host organization before signing a contract.
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From page 22... ...
bookstore, laundry, restaurants, bakery, barbershop, photography shop, bicycle repair shop, tailor, and a general store that carries everything from cooking items, toiletries, and clothing to bicycles and sewing machines. Clothing from Hong Kong and a variety of other items can now be found at the many free and night markets that have sprung up in Chinese cities in recent years.
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From page 23... ...
In general, pack carefully; the less you take, the better because storage space is limited in hotels and dormitories. Excess baggage also is expensive to bring into China and even more cumbersome to take out; it can become a real burden if you move from place to place.
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From page 24... ...
It's not necessary to avoid bright colors and anything with frills or decoration. In fact, Chinese women enjoy seeing the contemporary fashion styles of their foreign colleagues.
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From page 25... ...
Chinese detergents are hard on clothes and hands, so be certain to take sturdy items in good condition and rubber gloves if harsh detergents irritate your hands. Repairs usually are not too difficult: sewing supplies are easily found in neighborhood shops, clothing repair shops are inexpensive and efficient, and shoe repairmen set up shop on the streets (their prices are quite reasonable)
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From page 26... ...
warm bathrobe warm, sturdy slippers* woolen sweaters comfortable sandals for summer rain boots*
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From page 27... ...
57°F 83°F 73°F MEDICATIONS AND TOILETRIES While you are in China, managing your own health problems as far as is reasonably possiblewill relieve your Chinese hosts and save you time and energy. You should take with you any prescription drugs you might need, especially if you will be living outside major cities.
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From page 28... ...
If you reside in a hotel, you will find that hot water, stored in thermos bottles changed at least twice a day, is something that you can count on in China. Note, however, that tap water is not potable not even in the major cities or in the large joint-venture hotels.
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From page 29... ...
Extension plugs and extender sockets can be purchased in Chinese general stores and at some Friendship Stores; in some cases Chinese clerks will even make extension cords and replace plugs there is a daunting variety of electrical outlets in China, sometimes even within the same building. An international travel kit of plugs (one scientist writes that the Franzus kit is the best)
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From page 30... ...
take as many kinds of converter plugs as you can find an international kit is a good idea. In the case of repairs, you should not count on help unless you live in a city with special repair shops or where representatives of your particular computer's company are in residence, although repair service may be fairly
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From page 31... ...
RADIOS AND TAPE RECORDERS A small AM/FM shortwave transistor radio is useful for language practice and for news from outside China. Beijing Radio offers a special Chinese-English program (for schedules, see the China Daily)
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From page 32... ...
(See the earlier section on customs regulations for cameras and film.) If you go to Hong Kong during your stay in China to purchase photographic equipment, be sure to check with your host unit about customs regulations.
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From page 33... ...
In Beijing the rental shop is just opposite the Friendship Store; personnel at tourist hotels or local China International Travel Service offices can provide information on rentals in other areas.
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From page 34... ...
. If you are invited to a home for dinner, you might take along some imported candy or wine, or cookies in a decorative tin, all of which can be found in Friendship Stores and hotels.
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From page 35... ...
As "normal" relations with Chinese friends become ever more possible, traditional boundaries blur and reticence lessens. Today you can simply ask a trusted Chinese friend for advice about gifts.
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From page 36... ...
Many of these guidebooks are now on sale in hotels and Friendship Stores in Beijing; see also Appendix L for complete publishing details. The non-China specialist also might find that a subscription to the China Daily for a few months before departure will be good preparation for current events in China (both political and cultural)
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From page 37... ...
His experience suggests that prior arrangements for obtaining these items be made with your home institution before you leave. If you send equipment ahead, send it in care of your host unit's foreign affairs office.
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From page 38... ...
It is probably best to take some of the most highly used and regarded books in your field with you; you can then donate them to your Chinese host institution upon departure. If you will be teaching English, you should also obtain information about the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
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From page 39... ...
Most returned teachers recommended that you write ahead to your host unit for details on their particular arrangements. In addition, you can talk with returned teachers and possibly even consider taking your own equipment, such as a slide projector with transformers, if you think it worth the effort.
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From page 40... ...
As one teacher put it, "I can't think of anything not to take, except maybe pornographic literature. That is frowned upon, but the Chinese are remarkably open about what you bring for your own reading or for sharing with Chinese friends." In addition to the guidebooks on China mentioned earlier, an excellent preparation specifically for teaching in China is a recently published book by two Americans, Tani Barlow and Donald Lowe, who taught literature and history in Shanghai from 1981 to 1982.
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