A Teacher’s First Journey from Manchester in the UK to Shenzhen
A Teacher’s First Journey from Manchester in the UK to Shenzhen
Back in December 2021, my mind started to ponder the big step of working as a biology or science teacher internationally. Naturally, like most qualified teachers I looked to Qatar, UAE, Spain, and beyond for jobs. After a few interviews with various schools in Europe, I was left feeling somewhat unfulfilled with the packages that would potentially make me worse off than being in England. I also found the interview processes to be too standardized, lacking any true reflection of what teaching would be like in that country and at that school.
In February 2022, I was approached for an interview for a teaching role at an American international school based in Shenzhen. While being dubious at first about the prospect of teaching in China, I accepted the interview and never looked back.
The interview felt more like a professional chat, which spanned over two separate interviews. The interview was professional yet laid back. I felt comfortable asking the interviewer real questions about the role, lifestyle, and expectations that the role would entail. In turn, I believe he also was able to find out much more about me and how I would fit the role. A few days later I was offered the role and happily accepted, I recall the ‘wow’ moment of seeing the amazing salary and bonuses they had to offer, that only a UK or European teacher could dream about.
Perhaps naively in hindsight, I recall only a small part of the interview being about the barriers COVID-19 would place on me travelling from the UK to Shenzhen. After all, it was February 2022, and I wouldn’t be arriving in China till July 2022 so at the time it felt like a minor difficulty that would not likely be an issue.
A few months later I was matched with the school HR representative, who has been amazing from beginning to end. She has helped in terms of arranging flights, accommodation, visa paperwork, and much more. No matter the time day or night she was able to respond quickly and efficiently.
As I neared ever closer to my departure from the UK covid restrictions had changed somewhat to be more relaxed. The hotel quarantine time had dropped from 21 days to 10 days, no antibody test was required, and the PCR tests would only be needed 48hrs and 24hrs as opposed to some needing to be taken 7 days prior to flying. However, the big sticking point that still lingered was the lack of any direct flights taking place from the UK to China (as I write this they have started to re-emerge). Not only was this a pain in terms of not being direct, but also that I would need to transit to a location and do yet another 48hr and 24hr PCR to apply for a health code for the Chinese Embassy in that transit country. Another emerging problem was that flight routes were being cancelled for two weeks to a month when five or more passengers were found to have tested positive on arrival in China.
Let me say this! This trip is not for the faint-hearted… I made it in two attempts to China. On the first attempt to reach China I had issues in Amsterdam, where I tested positive for Covid in transit and had to return to the UK. It was incredibly stressful, but again the staff at my school supported me financially with this heartbreak. As a result, I had to do a further two PCRs to show recovery immediately after testing positive in Amsterdam, then repeat the normal application process of two PCR’s 48hr and 24hr PCRs before flights in both the UK and Europe the next time. If you are counting, that would mean 8 PCR’s to now finally just reach China!
For my second attempt to make China, when I went from the UK to Brussels to Xi’an, was much more successful. Before I get into this attempt, I wholeheartedly encourage others to take this route for both cost and lower stress levels. After testing and flying from the UK, I arrived and stayed in the Park Inn Radisson near Brussels Airport from 20th August – 23rd August. I performed the two PCRs in the city. I highly recommend this hotel for comfort, cost, and most importantly the position relative to the testing place. When you apply for the health code in Belgium, please ensure you take a screenshot of the UK green health code you received before leaving the UK. You will need to upload this to your transit country’s health code application.
“Finally, I’ve made it.” Comment made after finally checking into the hotel in Xi’an.
The flight went relatively smoothly; however, you will only be given a selection of edibles and water in a bag for the flight to China. I certainly suggest having a big meal prior to getting on a flight bound to China, as you won’t eat a meal for another 12-13 hours when you arrive at your quarantine hotel. After arriving at Xi’an Airport and then scanning endless codes with WeChat you will be given a ticket with a number placed on the back. This number determines the bus you will take to the quarantine hotel, I suggest trying to get a low number. It took three hours from getting on the bus to setting foot into our hotel in Xi’an, this was due to a long checking in process. This was conducted by bus number and after disinfecting each passenger’s luggage. It appears that the Xi’an route uses Swisstouches Hotel in Xian for its quarantine stayers (at least now). The hotel is clean and spacious, provides all your meals, and provides free Wi-Fi. The cost of the hotel was ¥3500 for a seven-day stay.
This has been a long process, but I believe that the experience I will have culturally, socially, and even financially will make it all worthwhile!
I’d like to round off my experience of the process from applying to arriving, with hints or tips, I feel are important and will help you along your journey:
- WeChat is life! – China’s answer to Facebook, download this in the UK and practice using it as it is very different from Facebook.
- Download a VPN – Most people I surveyed use Astrill VPN
- Keep in contact with your HR at your school – these have been godsends; they have helped me fill in numerous health codes in Chinese and provided support every step of the way.
- Add a Brit – A simple search and a post on groups such as ‘Teaching in China’ will match you up with people who have been or are in China. The ex-pat community is like a big family and people are usually more than happy to give you help and opinions on the move to China.
- Take comments with a pinch of salt – Yes, we all see those scary factor stories. While they may be true, they are most likely rarer than that story or post wants you to believe.
- Apply for a Chinese Sim card – While in Quarantine apply for a Nihao Mobile sim card to arrive in a couple of days. You can use PayPal to sign up, so you won’t need a Chinese bank account and you’ll need it for your health codes in the city of quarantine (they use your passport ID initially).
- Food Essentials – Bring coffee/tea, UHT milk sachets, snacks, and sweets! You may miss them, and it could help if you don’t like the food in the hotel.
- Ask Ignite to be added to their Visa group, as this has been, and continues to be very helpful, as I adjust to life in China.
Safe travels!
Ryan Holroyd
Useful links:
Swisstouches Hotel Xi’an (swisstouchesxian.com)
Coronavirus Insights for Your Business in China | China Briefing (china-briefing.com)