So, 2 years and 8 months ago, I finished my final project in the final year of my communications with multimedia degree course and I sat back with a pint of Guinness in me hand and I says: “I want to go to Asia”.
The month was June and I had just finished a hard slog of three years of study. Half of the first year was getting back into the swing of studying after a 4 year interlude! Anyway, the final project was handed in and that’s when the teaching began. Teaching in Ireland that is. Me moulding minds!
So it was off to Gormanston College for, what turned out to be, two great months of teaching Spanish and Italian teenagers the joys of the English language! Seriously, it was a laugh and it was to prepare me, albeit in a small way, for what was to come.
So, after a summer of ups and downs, swings and roundabouts, strikes and gutters, the faithful day came at the start of August that was to change my life, irrevocably. It was the day when I was asked:
“Well, do you want to come Harbin to teach?”
“Where the f**k is Harbin?”, says I.
“North-East China”, came the reply.
So, being quite the spontaneous and impulsive person that I am, I said: “Yeah, why the jaysus not”. That wasn’t before I perused, what was the first in a line of the most meanlingness contracts I have ever , and will probably ever, have the displeasure of perusing! And I mean that! Although sometimes entertaining to say the least, the contracts are legally binding, however, I am of the opinion that they are not worth the paper they are written on. It is easier than easy to do a runner on one of these “contracts”. Of course, this could be said of any contract, but with schools in China, it’s somewhat different.
Personally, I have always seen my contracts out, but I could easily see a time when I wouldn’t have any qualms whatsoever, in breaking one of these contracts, safe in the knowledge, that once I stay away from whatever school I am running from, all would be rosy in the garden.
Lots of people, on different forums and what have you, would more than likely disagree with me, saying that the subsequent school will look for a letter of release. This is true, but how difficult is it for anyone to say no to any school who may look for a letter. There are PLENTY of schools looking for teachers so keep in mind who needs who the most.
Anyway, I signed the contract and two weeks later, I was on a plane to Harbin….
Honesty’s the best policy.
So, 2 years and 8 months ago, I finished my final project in the final year of my communications with multimedia degree course and I sat back with a pint of Guinness in me hand and I says: “I want to go to Asia”.
The month was June and I had just finished a hard slog of three years of study. Half of the first year was getting back into the swing of studying after a 4 year interlude! Anyway, the final project was handed in and that’s when the teaching began. Teaching in Ireland that is. Me moulding minds!
So it was off to Gormanston College for, what turned out to be, two great months of teaching Spanish and Italian teenagers the joys of the English language! Seriously, it was a laugh and it was to prepare me, albeit in a small way, for what was to come.
So, after a summer of ups and downs, swings and roundabouts, strikes and gutters, the faithful day came at the start of August that was to change my life, irrevocably. It was the day when I was asked:
“Well, do you want to come Harbin to teach?”
“Where the f**k is Harbin?”, says I.
“North-East China”, came the reply.
So, being quite the spontaneous and impulsive person that I am, I said: “Yeah, why the jaysus not”. That wasn’t before I perused, what was the first in a line of the most meanlingness contracts I have ever , and will probably ever, have the displeasure of perusing! And I mean that! Although sometimes entertaining to say the least, the contracts are legally binding, however, I am of the opinion that they are not worth the paper they are written on. It is easier than easy to do a runner on one of these “contracts”. Of course, this could be said of any contract, but with schools in China, it’s somewhat different.
Personally, I have always seen my contracts out, but I could easily see a time when I wouldn’t have any qualms whatsoever, in breaking one of these contracts, safe in the knowledge, that once I stay away from whatever school I am running from, all would be rosy in the garden.
Lots of people, on different forums and what have you, would more than likely disagree with me, saying that the subsequent school will look for a letter of release. This is true, but how difficult is it for anyone to say no to any school who may look for a letter. There are PLENTY of schools looking for teachers so keep in mind who needs who the most.
Anyway, I signed the contract and two weeks later, I was on a plane to Harbin….
…to be contd