So here is what is going on so far...
I am unofficially officially part of the QISS team. I am included in all emails sent to the staff, allowed to put my two cents in regarding curriculum, and even asked about what science equipment I would like to order. I have also been added to the school website introduction of the new teachers for the 2010-2011 school year.
Here is the link to the introductions if you would like to check out my introduction, along with some of the peeps I will be working along side of.
http://www.qiss.org.cn/qissfiles/new%20staff%20introduction2010may5.pdf
It is still unofficial for a couple of reasons. My actual contract has not been signed. It is currently in route via DHL and I should have it by Friday. I then sign it and send it back to China. From that point on, the only thing that could keep me from going is Noah's passport. I have not yet received it. And while I am sure that I will get it, it still makes me nervous that there is some technicality that could keep me from receiving it.
Because of this, I am still not comfortable in my mind, that I am safely off to China. When I receive Noah's passport in hand, it will be a for sure thing and I can really celebrate.
So here is to hoping and praying that I get the passport sooner rather than later and I will be able to relax and truly prepare for the adventure.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
FAQ's
Hello All! There are a few questions that I have been asked a lot the past couple of days, so I am going to start this here FAQ section. If you have any other questions, shoot me an email and I can add it! Thanks :) - My email is rdr02@hotmail.com
Where are Noah and I going to live?
As part of my contract I am receiving a housing allowance. This looks to be a nice sum that will allow us to get an apartment around 1200 sqft and 2bed/1-2bath. We are required to arrive in Qingdao and week earlier than orientation, where the school will put us up in a hotel for a week. During this week the school will put us in touch with reputable real estate agents to help us find housing. All housing will be furnished.
What all are we taking with us?
It is my plan to take clothes, some essentials that can not be found over there, and some stuff from home to keep familiarity in our new home. I want to take books, blankets, and some toys of Noah's to keep him from being too homesick. Everything else I am going to sell in July. My shipping allowance isn't huge, but I get a nice chunk of change as a settling in allowance. So my general rule is that if I can buy it over there, it will not go with us.
What about transportation?
We will also be receiving a transportation allowance and Noah and I will become experts at Public Transit. It is mucho mucho scary to drive there, as they don't really obey traffic laws.
When are you leaving?
We are still waiting on Noah's passport. As soon as we get that, the school needs to get an Invitation Letter from the Chinese government. Then the school will DHL the invitation letter to me and I take it to the Chinese Consulate here in Houston to get our visas. We will not buy tickets until we get Noah's passport. However, the planned date for departure is July 31st, 2010 - the day after my birthday!
How long will be live in China?
My contract is for a year, but it is renewable for as long as both the school and I want to continue working together. I would like to stay for a least a couple of years. The average time a teacher stays at QISS is 4 years.
What about your mom?
LOL...my mom has made arrangements to watch my niece for the next year. She will also take care of some work needing to be done on the house and sell it. The plan is for her to join Noah and I in China after the first year, as long as we can obtain her a visa to do so. Until then, she will visit us as much as possible.
Where are Noah and I going to live?
As part of my contract I am receiving a housing allowance. This looks to be a nice sum that will allow us to get an apartment around 1200 sqft and 2bed/1-2bath. We are required to arrive in Qingdao and week earlier than orientation, where the school will put us up in a hotel for a week. During this week the school will put us in touch with reputable real estate agents to help us find housing. All housing will be furnished.
What all are we taking with us?
It is my plan to take clothes, some essentials that can not be found over there, and some stuff from home to keep familiarity in our new home. I want to take books, blankets, and some toys of Noah's to keep him from being too homesick. Everything else I am going to sell in July. My shipping allowance isn't huge, but I get a nice chunk of change as a settling in allowance. So my general rule is that if I can buy it over there, it will not go with us.
What about transportation?
We will also be receiving a transportation allowance and Noah and I will become experts at Public Transit. It is mucho mucho scary to drive there, as they don't really obey traffic laws.
When are you leaving?
We are still waiting on Noah's passport. As soon as we get that, the school needs to get an Invitation Letter from the Chinese government. Then the school will DHL the invitation letter to me and I take it to the Chinese Consulate here in Houston to get our visas. We will not buy tickets until we get Noah's passport. However, the planned date for departure is July 31st, 2010 - the day after my birthday!
How long will be live in China?
My contract is for a year, but it is renewable for as long as both the school and I want to continue working together. I would like to stay for a least a couple of years. The average time a teacher stays at QISS is 4 years.
What about your mom?
LOL...my mom has made arrangements to watch my niece for the next year. She will also take care of some work needing to be done on the house and sell it. The plan is for her to join Noah and I in China after the first year, as long as we can obtain her a visa to do so. Until then, she will visit us as much as possible.
Monday, May 3, 2010
WELCOME EVERYONE...
Hello all! I plan to use this blog to chronicle the adventures that Noah and I will undertake as I begin a career as an international teacher. When we get to China, we will not be able to use Facebook, so this will be one way of communicating with family and friends. However, getting to China is still 3 months and a few hurdles away. I decided to go ahead and start the blog to help give everyone some idea of where Noah and I will be living and going to school. Thanks for visiting :)
This is the school that Noah and I will be at - Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong - QISS for short. I will be teaching 5 classes (in an 8 period day) ... Grade 6 Earth Science, Grade 7 Life Science, Grade 11 Biology, 6th/7th Grade Communications, and one other course. The idea being floated for the fifth course right now is something with at risk kids and science. Noah will also be at the same school entering pre-K. I think doing this at his age is best since he doesn't really know any different in terms of school. I think it will all be very exciting.
QISS is located in Qingdao (ching-tao), China in the Shandong Province. It is a coastal city on the Yellow Sea that is surrounded with "hills" which I like to call mountains. Above are some pics of Qingdao.
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