settling in shenzhen, part one: signing the contract

August 23rd, 2007
9:30 AM
The foreign teachers (that would be us CTLC-ers) congregate in an auditorium in the hotel and are instructed to find their names on the back of the seats. After wandering up and down a few aisles, there it was, my name next to a seat with the sign "Shi Sha School" on its back. I sat there and observed the nervous energy that spread throughout the room. Representatives from the various schools began to arrive one by one and I awaited mine with anticipation.

In most situations two people would sit next to the foreign teacher: the head master of the school and the contact teacher. The contact teacher is perhaps the most important person we foreigners will know this year. As bilingual speakers they are our interpreters and the person we are to go to if any problems arise. Essentially they have the power to make or break your experience in China. And so, it goes without saying that my anticipation was shared by most everyone.

At last, a small middle-aged lady with shoulder-length hair and a man dressed in a polo shirt and loafers settled themselves into the seats next to mine. These were my people. The two people in this entire country who would either make my year terribly difficult or absolutely wonderful.

The lady, my contact teacher, introduced herself as Jane. The man, in what I now realize is very limited English said, "it is very nice to see you, Malia". This was my school's headmaster.

10 AM
The ceremony begins. Every school is announced, along with the teachers who will teach there. Enormous bouquets of flowers were handed to the foreign teachers by their headmasters. And then began the signing of the contracts. After signing six different copies - three in English and three in Chinese - all were stamped with the school seal. And it was official. We were now employees of a Chinese school.

After the ceremony an elaborate banquet was enjoyed by all (I swear, I've done nothing but eat since I got to this country!!). I sat with Jane and the headmaster and soon found them to be very nice and warm. I knew that I had been placed at a good school.


The adventures of Maria Settling in Shenzhen, to be continued...