ShangHai

Hi Suki,

before you go, make sure you have a Z-visa (work visa) sorted out. Your new employer should help you get all the necessary paperwork to apply for one at your local Chinese embassy.
If you go to China on a tourist of F-visa (which some employers will ask you to do) it's pretty darn impossible to transfer those into a Z-visa once you're there.

I just came from China, and met many people that actually had to leave the country because they didn't have the right visa on arrival.  Even though their employers promised them the tourist or F-visa could be transferred.
The Chinese are tightening all their visa laws, so things are getting very strict and it's best to sort stuff out beforehand.

Other than that, Shanghai is pretty cool, and you can make loads of money there as a teacher. Food is great there, but be prepared to get stared at constantly!

hey Joshi, tht was hell of a great info! thank you loads fr tht..n yeah my mum is a teacher n she is planning on coming over to teach english too...btw are u working thr too? or worked?

Hi Suki,

no problem! I just arrived in Phnom Penh from China.
I lived and worked as a teacher in Suzhou, which is about 30 minutes on the train from Shanghai.
Had to leave because of visa problems myself.
So you are going to teach together with your mum?
If you or your mum have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!