Paid teaching In China
Visa
Health & Safety
Vaccination
Money Matter
Field Support and Supervision
Communication
Climate
Materials to Bring
Gifts to Bring Host Family

How long has Rustic Volunteer Travel been working in China? Whom do you work with? Where are you located?

Rustic Volunteer and Travel has setup an office in HangZhou, which is about 2 hours away from Beijing when you fly. We work with many local schools, colleges and universities.

Our in-country coordinator, who is a mature and very responsible person, will be responsible for finding out about your teaching projects as per your criteria and qualifications. The local coordinator contacts all the schools and institutions who require teachers and will informs you when the position is available. Usually, a position doesn’t take time to become available. Before starting the program, you must sign a contract with the host school and you’ll have to abide by the terms and conditions on your contract.

When should I apply? What happens once I submit my documents and application? How long does it take to process my application?

3 months is the recommended time to apply before starting the project. If you’re late in applying, we might be able to expedite the application process, but you’ll have to call our office for more information.
When we receive your application, it will be reviewed and forwarded to the country coordinator in China. The coordinator will then try to finalize the placement. Once he does that, we will inform us and we’ll then pass on the information to you. This can sometimes take as less as 2 weeks, sometimes more.

School holidays in China

Chinese schools, colleges, and universities will be closed for the following holidays so please consider this when you apply for the program:

School Holidays:

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

Besides application form, we’ll require your resume, a copy of your passport, a copy of diploma/certificate/degree, which you can scan and send or fax, and a letter of reference.

You will need a valid visa to teach English in China. The process to acquire a visa takes about 1-2 weeks.

In China, your visa can be renewed by your local Public Secureity Bureau (PSB) with the help of your local Chinese school. Please don’t stay without out renewing your visa as you will not only be deported by fined RMB 500 yuan/day.

Always keep a photocopy of your passport, your travel insurance documents, air tickets and traveler's checks' serial numbers to help you recover lost or stolen information.

What kind of visa do I need to volunteer/paid teaching program in China?

Depending on your length of stay in China, you’ll apply for the visa.

• If you intend to stay for 1-3 months, you should apply for Tourist "L" visa.
• If you’re staying for 3-6 months, you should apply for visitor/business "F" visa.
• If you’re staying for longer than that, you’ll have to apply for working "Z" visa, for single entry.

When to submit for visa?

Wait until you receive invitation letter and other documents for your visa from the country coordinator in China. You’ll need these documents when you submit for either F or Z visa to your nearest Chinese embassy. The visa will be valid for 1 (ONE) after it’s been issued. Once you are in China, please remember to submit your passport to the school authorities for the local residency certificate, which is mandatory for all foreigners.

Rustic Travel DOES NOT guarantee your VISA. In some cases Chinese schools may ask teachers to come into China with a visitor's visa and then they will switch the visa status

What are the principle health risks?

No country is immune from any health risk. While China has good healthcare system, there are some diseases you have to be aware of before you travel to China. These are:

AIDS: Growing rapidly. The blood supply is not as safe as at home.

Bronchial and Sinus ailments: High rates in cities with highest air pollution rates, especially Beijing , Shanghai and Guangzhou .

Cholera: Notably present in western China

Hepatitis A and B: Very common due to less than ideal food storage, handling and cooking.

Malaria: Mostly in more southern regions and away from cities.

Polio: A one-time booster dose is recommended if you have not had one.

High Altitude Sickness: Very common when you travel in Tibet and other mountainous area. Symptoms are temporary and go away as soon as the victim returns to a lower altitude. Drink plenty of fluid.

Rabies: Rabid dogs are a problem in most of the rural and semi-urban sites of China. You, therefore, should remain aware of and away from non-domestic or freely roaming dogs in China.

Typhoid: Consider a vaccination for long stays and if you are an adventurous eater.

Numerous others exist, but not in abnormally high or epidemic proportions.

What health precautions should I be aware of and tend to?

Consult with your local doctor or a travel health specialist before your trip to China. Make sure you take all the required shots and vaccinations. Make sure you’ve tested on TB and taken chest x-rays. You will have to be immunized against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid. Bring the result of your HIV test results.

If you plan to travel to rural areas of China you should get vaccinated against Japanese Encephalitis and obtain pills to protect yourself against Malaria. If you intend to stay in cities, these are not required. If you plan to travel to western China or Tibet, it is generally recommended to get a Rabies vaccination.

Is the food safe if I buy from a street vendor?

Avoid eating from street vendors. The food they sell isn’t healthy and you might end up with stomach cramps if you’re fortunate and severe diarrhea if you’re unlucky. In China, poor food cooking, preparation and storage, as well as improper cleaning and disinfecting of cooking supplies is very common among street vendors.

How safe is China ?

Security is very tight in China and most of the things are regulated in the country. Hence, China is one of the safest countries in the world. But petty crime does exist, especially around major urban areas. However, there haven’t been any serious crimes committed against any foreigners. If you’re vigilant against pick-pocketing and snatching of purse in the open, you should be fine. Be extra vigilant in crowded places like stations and markets.

You should also avoid doing this like:

• Showing off your wallet and valuables
• Not carrying all the money with you all the time, instead keep them in a safety deposit box in your hotel
• Do not wear jewelry in the open
• Don’t carry your passport and all the traveler’s cheques with you all the time
• Don’t quarrel and start fights with locals
• Avoid closed, dark areas and don’t travel alone at dark
• Keep any opinions you might have of politics in China to yourself.

We strongly recommended volunteers to get vaccination before travel. Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications by CDC (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationChina.aspx)

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to China .. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

Routine: Recommended if you are not up-to-date with routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, etc.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG): Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high level of hepatitis A virus infection (see map) where exposure might occur through food or water. Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can also occur in travelers to developing countries with "standard" tourist itineraries, accommodations, and food consumption behaviors.

Typhoid: Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in Southeast Asia , especially if visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives where exposure might occur through food or water.

Polio: Recommended for adult travelers who have received a primary series with either inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) or oral polio vaccine (OPV). They should receive another dose of IPV before departure.

Japanese encephalitis: Recommended if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis, see country-specific information.

Rabies: Recommended for travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, hiking, or work. Also, children are considered at higher risk because they tend to play with animals and may not report bites.

Are ATMs easily available? If yes, which debit and credit card are accepted?

Large hotels and tourist stores accept most credit cards like America Express, Diners Club, JCB, Master and Visa cards. The local ATM machines and local banks usually surcharge you around $2-4 when you withdraw money from them.

What is the local currency and how do I know the exchange rate?

China’s official currency is RMB, also called Yuan. The currency comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 RMB. A $100 USD will get you RMB 798 Yuan.

Where do I exchange my money and how much?

Head for various branches of Bank of China to cash your traveler’s checks or to exchange your notes. You can also do it hotels, tourist stores and in the airport.

How much money should I bring with me?

About USD 300 should be enough for 2-3 weeks for groceries, travel and few shopping. Exchange that amount in the airport.

Is it safe to carry cash with me?

Carrying cash is not safe. Please don't carry a large surplus of cash because many Chinese are concerned with thieves.

Important Reminder: Retain your receipts whenever you exchange any currency or traveler's checks to Chinese Yuan. You may be asked to show proof of the exchange. Without receipts, you will not be able to exchange Chinese currency back to any other currency upon your departure.

How do I make contact with Rustic Volunteer Travel s local coordinator?

Our China in-country coordinator is Mr. Jeff. He stays in Qingdao City of Shandong Province. We will provide you with his contact information in your placement. The information will be included in the pre-departure informational packet as well.

How do I contact my family after I arrive in to China?

International Direct Dialing within China is available in most cities. Phone cards are widely available and calls can be made from post offices, hotels and phone booths on the streets. In hotels, local calls are generally charged at a nominal fee. The Chinese mobile phone networks are very advanced. Operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in most towns although they can sometimes be noisy as they are a popular spot for the youth to play online games. You can use any type of communication to call back home. You also can bring your cell phone (with a new SIM card installed, which maintains your personal numbers in China as well as provides your number to your family). Calls to the USA and Canada from China will cost 2-10 cents/minute depending on your service carrier.

Are internet services easily available?

Internet cafes are available in most towns, although the cafes can be very noisy as they are a popular venue for the youth to play online games.

How can my family members contact me?

Once you settle down at the host school, you will be offered a phone in some schools, or equipped with a local cell phone. In case there is no telephone provided, ask the school to provide you with the office telephone number so that you can set a time to receive family calls.

Can I bring my telephone from my home country?

Yes, you can but the charge will be extremely high and it is suggested that you use a local SIM card after you settle down.

Can I purchase phone service once I arrive in China and how much it cost?

Buying a Chinese Telecom SIM card costs you about RMB100. With this you get RMB
50 in calls, the other 50 covers the price of the SIM card number. The SIM card will go into all major brand phones (if you bring your own) and works perfectly. But do notice that before buying a Chinese SIM card; check that your current cell phone is internationally capable.

What is weather like in my placement?

You can check China weather at the website below:

http://211.147.16.25/ywwz/products/

When is the best season to travel China?

It depends. China is a vast country with wide ranging climate conditions. Volunteers will definitely enjoy autumn the most. It falls around September and early October. You’ll experience some rainfall with temperature remaining very pleasant.

Spring is equally delightful. But the weather is slightly unpredictable; hot day can be followed by cold nights.

Spring can be delightful and the average temperatures (50- 71.6 F) are roughly the same as that in autumn. Since the weather is unpredictable, you should prepare clothing both for chilly and warm weather.

Summer (from June to the end of August) can be extremely hot with a temperature above 71.6 F, especially in the rather famous 'furnaces' of China: Wuhan, Tianjing, Chongqing and Nanchang. It is also the time that experiences most rain falls. So investing in an umbrella and plastic sandals is very necessary and highly recommended.

Winter can be incredibly cold in thegl north, but there are also compensations. If you want to attend the Harbin Ice Lantern Festival, winter is the time for you.

It is a good idea to check the weather conditions of each city on the itinerary very carefully. Of course, if you choose the most attractive season to visit, you also choose the time when tourist spots and hotels are most occupied. Nevertheless, whenever you choose to visit, China is more than capable of offering you various charming scenes around the country.

It is a common courtesy to bring a small gift for the family that will be hosting you. You are not required to do so, but if you choose to bring something it can be pretty simple. We suggest a box of chocolates, a t-shirt with a hometown logo, or pictures of your family and some local post cards.

If you want to bring gifts for your project (and if you are working for an orphanage or a school please bring pencils, pens and paper, art supplies like markers and construction paper pads, and games. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring a bunch of one thing.