Forums > Living in Kunming > Food Safety

Thanks everyone for your feedback! It's helpful reading to prepare myself psychologically. At the same time, it's nice to know that there are some options.

Forums > Living in Kunming > Food Safety

So what is the deal re: food safety in China? Is all the food tainted and riddled with weird chemicals, or is some of it overblown Western news propaganda? I mean, millions of Chinese people still need to eat, right?!

I have been all psyched up about moving with my family to Kunming this Spring. Almost done with my TEFL cert. Ready to apply for jobs. Making a list of what to pack. Happy music playing in my head as I envision life in Kunming for the next few years... BUT every time I mention to someone that I plan to move to China, they look at me like I have three heads. Their main concern: food safety (ok pollution is another one). I'm going to be eating fake rice, fake eggs, noodles made of detergent, meat with traces of human hair.

I did read that Salvador's has an organic partnership with a local farm.

Any thoughts?

Forums > Living in Kunming > Living in Kunming with small children

Hi,

I am planning a move to Kunming next year with two small children (will be ages 4.5 and 1 years old around the time of the move). I've found a few preschool recs on this forum as well as some good advice about getting expat kids into schools...

But I still have more questions so I hope you don't mind that I'm posting again...

Is there anyone (expat or native) currently living in Kunming with small children that I could email offline with questions, or who wouldn't mind sharing their experiences?

Some of my questions are:

I'm wondering about whether preschools have waiting lists?

When I get a Z visa for teaching, I understand that the entire family is covered by the visa, but does that mean all family members must undergo the health exam?

Is the Green Lake area the best neighborhood to start out in (I'm asking in terms of commute time both to preschool and to work)?

Any other advice would be great.

On a separate note, I've been told that March is the best time to look for English teaching jobs. How long does it usually take to be hired (assuming I would be hired)? Or perhaps it varies from school to school. I'm asking because I want to get a sense of how much time I would have to wrap things up where I'm currently living in order to move.

Thanks for reading!

Nancy

Forums > Living in Kunming > Longevity of Long-Term English Teaching?

I am also an ABC planning to move to Kunming next year.

Ocean: Do you know if Robert's School has hired or are willing to hire Chinese-Americans? When is the best time of year to apply to Robert's or do they accept applications all year round?

Also, I had heard that it is easier to get a proper Z visa via a public school rather than a private one. Is that true? If so, any tips on how to go about finding a public school job? Most of the listings seem to be for private schools.

Thanks!

Forums > Living in Kunming > Any Expat Families with Kids in Kunming Public Schools?

Hi, I've come across a few threads here that seem to give the impression that expat kids (I'm Chinese-American) can attend the state-run, public elementary schools in Kunming.

Can anyone tell me which specific public schools their child(ren) attend and share thoughts regarding the process? How did you "register"? Any obstacles, advice?

I am planning a move to Kunming next year with my daughter, who will be about 3.5 years old by that time. While her output is mostly English, she understands much of the basic stuff I say to her in my conversational-level Chinese. (I'm just adding that in case anyone also has thoughts about transitioning a child that is not 100% Chinese-speaking).

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

-N.