In my experience thus far the standard notice period when leaving a job is 4 weeks, some say 2 weeks while others argue that you don’t have to give any notice at all but I’ve always known 4 weeks to be the norm. Is it different with contractual work though? I mean, you have a start date and an end date so unless you are planning to break contract and leave early then is it necessary to actually give notice. The fact of the matter is I have reached a crossroad, in fact I reached it a couple of months ago, and my life in the near future is to be determined by my choice between home and work?
As you know I left South Africa in September last year and my one year teaching contract with EF Xiaoshan will end 4 weeks today on the 28th of September. So you are probably asking yourself what am I going to do ? Well, here’s the thing.
Marguarita renewed the contract with her school and so is set to be in China for at least another year.
Life is pretty easy over here in China. The cost of living is low and as I learn more and more of the language, albeit at a slow pace, day-to-day communication gets easier. I know all the critical bus numbers and routes now although with my scooter (the best purchase I ever made in China) I don’t have to worry with buses so much anymore. And the buzzing metropolis of Shanghai is only 1.5 hours away by train.
I left SA amidst uncertain job market not helped by the global economic slow down last year. Unsure of whether things have improved or precisely what career I want to pursue the market for English teachers in China remains large and stable. Together with almost 1 year’s experience under my belt the opportunities can only grow.
So this is my 4 weeks notice to you, my friends, that I will not be returning to South Africa at the end of September. I have instead decided to stay here in China teaching English for another year. However I am not renewing my contract with EF but instead I am going to be teaching at Xiaoshan Yinhe Experimental Primary School which is where Marguarita works and where I relief taught for 12 weeks earlier this year in a partnership that was also a marketing effort by EF. While the classes are larger (around 30-40 children), the hours will be considerably less for similar pay and the benefits of normal school holidays (around 6 weeks during the year) not to mention having the same schedules so we can hopefully do more travelling around China.
Don’t get me wrong, I miss my family and my nephew who I’ve only had the chance to meet via webcam. I miss my friends too. It took a while to adjust to life in South Africa after growing up in Zimbabwe and it wasn’t until the group of friends I met during 2005/2006 that I started to feel at home with the golf tournaments, team “steam”, the parties, the weekends away, the surfing, the squash, the braais, the hiking and the poker. I also miss Cape Town, the blue skies, mountains over 1000ft high and the sea BUT not the southeasters. I even have a list going of the things I want to do when, not if, when I get back to Cape Town.
What I will do though is continue to share with you my experiences here in China and I hope you will continue to read, enjoy and comment on my blog into 2011.
(Yes I know its been a while, I’ve been reading your blogs just not had the time to respond lately – apologies my friend!)
WTF??!! (X2):
i) has it been a year already?! well a month short of a year – time flies! well done! &
ii) the things we do for “chicks” (no offence to any ladies who read this) & then cover it up with a lot of waffle justifying it to our mates 🙂
Just kidding bud, enjoyed the last few blogs & the increase in pics & videos! A great skill you have learned while there is breaking the damn internet firewall over time! I think it is fantastic that you decided to stay on. It’s a complete 360 from where you were about 9 -10 months ago! “YOLO” – You Only Live Once! And we will still be in CT in a years time – or WHEN you return, like you say!
Anyways all the best, good luck pal! Certainly looking forward to another year of your blogs, pictures & especially videos!
Cheers from a cold CT today.
Zubs
Thanks Zubs, appreciate all the support (and chirps) – thats what mates are for afterall.
Likewise I have been following Raise Your Game and trust it is going well.
Look forward to seeing you in 2011 either in China or back in Cape Town.
“YOLO” indeed
I enjoyed your efforts at trying to use the economy and the job market as an excuse, and was sorry that you don’t mention the highlight of your life in Cape Town – squash! (we do miss you!). Home is after all where the heart is and my money says that’s the driving factor.
Have a great time and keep the blog going. Don’t forget your buddies when time comes for the wedding invitations!
Thank you for pointing out my oversight (which I have rectified) as I do indeed miss my squash; haven’t quite gotten round to much exercise here apart from the very occasional tennis game.
Hi Rors!
So good to hear that you’ve decided to stay on – well good for you! We miss you back home but sounds like you having an amazing time and I’m sure you will come back with plenty great memories…and a wifey by the sounds of it!!! Things haven’t changed much so don’t race back home! Make the most of it while you can – wish I had the balls to quit my job and go travelling again!
I’ve loved reading your blogs and keeping up to speed with your adventures! Keep having fun and hope to see you on a holiday soon.
Take care, Nats x
Rors
So happy for you and glad you are doing what you want to do! We will all be here when you one day decide to return home and things wont have changed except quite a few of the crew will be married and probably having more babies – ha ha! But when you feel the time is right for you then you should come home, we will be happy to have you back ! Keep smiling, filling us in with the gossip of China and living life to the fullest!
Big hugs
Mocks xxx
Struuuth! Could you not have just said, see you guys next year? Good luck with the Blog awards, i have tried to add my vote, not sure if i was successful or not. I, unlike you, have not quite caught up with technology!
I have, as you will be able to tell, worked out how to comment on your blog AND have even added it to “favourites” in Firefox. Not really sure how to be honest, it really happened by accident but i guess things happen for a reason.
I am, believe it or not, also following you on Twitter. Sadly, i am still more of a follower than a Twiterer myself but i may get there one day.
Keep well, good luck at the new school. You know what they say, a change is as good as a holiday! Look forward to hearing about your action list for Cape Town IF you are allowed to return not when!
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