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retire_early
Guest
Go for the food! You probably won’t get a chance like this again.
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aicirt
Guest
I just googled Roman Catholic Churches in Shanghai, and expat community in Shanghai. There are seven Catholic Churches there and an active expat community. The latter invites those with questions to contact them. I’d site it for you but don’t know how.
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Sarcelle
Guest
Why would you be targeted for.the one child.policy? You are a foreigner not a Chinese citizen. I have yet to hear of foreign women being targeted for forced abortions.
Imagine the backlash if a forced.abortion was performed on a citizen of a.Western country.
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Sarcelle
Guest
Yes pollution would be a worry especially if one is pregnant.Pollution that bad really concerns me.
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Contra_Mundum_1
Guest
I have not been to China but have lived abroad in 2 different countries for the last 12 years, so I can offer my opinion as an expat. Just go for it if he gets the offer. This will be such an exciting thing for you and your family, especially since you say you have not been abroad. You can only gain from this. And if you absolutely hate it - 18 months is not a long time and you would be home quickly, and you could choose to not leave the expat bubble if you really don’t want to interact with the outside world.
I wouldn’t worry about their healthcare. Go to a private hospital to have your baby.
You can discuss all of these things with the person responsible for your relocation.
I wouldn’t worry about their healthcare. Go to a private hospital to have your baby.
You can discuss all of these things with the person responsible for your relocation.
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lifeisbeautiful
Guest
One more thing, I have lived temporarily in different places for my husband’s job (although always within the states), and I know that with little kids it takes a while to get the swing of things and be able to go out to different places. I always had a list of places I wanted to see wherever we went. I think 18 months (if it is truly going to be just 18 months, you guys can ask about that) is great because it gives you time to settle in, learn more about the area little by little and go to the places you would like to go, and then come back home (US) after it all!
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mommamaree
Guest
This is my gut instinct here. Most of my questions and concerns are easily addressed. Though we would face some downsides in doing this (he has a great job now, and we would be leaving money on the table if he leaves at this time), there are so many potential upsides. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and even if we absolutely hate it, we would still be together and it would only be for 18 months. And then, it is back to the US, to settle on one coast or the other, depending on where they would want to permanently place him.
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mommamaree
Guest
Thanks everyone so much for your feedback! I told my husband about this thread and he is quite pleased that there has been so much help and encouragement offered here. I think he really would like this opportunity, but he wants to make sure that I am happy and that we will be safe and well-cared for.
He has his phone interview tonight! He is coming home a tad early, and then he is going to prepare for the call. If they proceed after tonight, they will be flying him to California to do more interviews. If they do decide to hire him, we will be seeing Shanghai the first time when we actually move there. Nothing more exciting than moving somewhere site unseen!
If they decide to proceed, I will have to really get down to the business of researching this, because the California interview and then possible job offer could happen quite fast. Thank God we only have two weeks of lessons left for this school year! If we are going, we will be more ready since we will be done with lessons until the late summer!
Please pray for us!
He has his phone interview tonight! He is coming home a tad early, and then he is going to prepare for the call. If they proceed after tonight, they will be flying him to California to do more interviews. If they do decide to hire him, we will be seeing Shanghai the first time when we actually move there. Nothing more exciting than moving somewhere site unseen!
If they decide to proceed, I will have to really get down to the business of researching this, because the California interview and then possible job offer could happen quite fast. Thank God we only have two weeks of lessons left for this school year! If we are going, we will be more ready since we will be done with lessons until the late summer!
Please pray for us!
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daisybee
Guest
Has your husband ever gotten placed by a headhunter before? If so, he obviously knows the ropes.
If not, proceed with caution in terms of getting your most pressing questions answered. Don’t let them off the hook easily when you need an important question answered well, and don’t let them rush you. You and your husband have to look after the well-being of your family better than anyone else; the headhunters won’t.
I had a bad experience with a headhunter once–I asked if I would be expected to travel frequently for business after being placed. I was told no. However, within about a month of starting with the company, I was told I needed to start traveling multiple times per week.
The problem was that their response to what I considered to be one of my most important questions was not in writing–that was the lesson I learned.
If there are things that are essential to you/the family that are related to the job, try to get the agreement in writing if at all possible. If there are things that are essential to you/the family that are not related to the job, try to confirm the information with a source that is not a headhunter representative.
Headhunters can be a boon for some people, but they can also be slick. Sometimes they will tell a candidate what he wants to hear. But their main aim is generally to please the company, not the potential employee. And once the employee is hired, the headhunter is long gone.
If not, proceed with caution in terms of getting your most pressing questions answered. Don’t let them off the hook easily when you need an important question answered well, and don’t let them rush you. You and your husband have to look after the well-being of your family better than anyone else; the headhunters won’t.
I had a bad experience with a headhunter once–I asked if I would be expected to travel frequently for business after being placed. I was told no. However, within about a month of starting with the company, I was told I needed to start traveling multiple times per week.
The problem was that their response to what I considered to be one of my most important questions was not in writing–that was the lesson I learned.
If there are things that are essential to you/the family that are related to the job, try to get the agreement in writing if at all possible. If there are things that are essential to you/the family that are not related to the job, try to confirm the information with a source that is not a headhunter representative.
Headhunters can be a boon for some people, but they can also be slick. Sometimes they will tell a candidate what he wants to hear. But their main aim is generally to please the company, not the potential employee. And once the employee is hired, the headhunter is long gone.
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mommamaree
Guest
Well the phone interview was a success. It lasted over two hours! We should know within a few days if they want to schedule a face-to-face interview. I am trying to not get excited at this point. The feedback here has been enormously helpful though. It has held me to feel brave and ready to try something new.
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Contra_Mundum_1
Guest
Great 
You definitely seem excited
Please keep us posted about the developments.
You definitely seem excited
Please keep us posted about the developments.
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mommamaree
Guest
Apparently the company provides a paid-for private education for employees’ children. I had anticipated homeschooling, but it could be a great opportunity for the kids to make friends and learn a wider range of things for the year or so we would be there. Also, apparently it would not be in our interest to sell the house while we are overseas. That would be something to decide upon return. I could not sleep last night. I alternated between exuberance and sheer terror for most of the night. If this is going to happen, I almost feel like just taking a deep breath and closing my eyes and jumping in with both feet!
I am trying not to obsess, but I do know that if this progresses, we have about six weeks from now before we would be packing our bags. I have researched English Masses already, but I intend to meet with our pastor to discuss issues of faithful practice in China. Apparently, also, this career path would probably include later living in Paris or other metropolitan destinations all over the world for a couple years at a time. Why is it that a possibility to actually live out a one-time pipe dream can make a person want to run and hide?! We have watched House Hunters International and talked about living abroad for years, and now that the dream might be a reality, I am terrified!
I am trying not to obsess, but I do know that if this progresses, we have about six weeks from now before we would be packing our bags. I have researched English Masses already, but I intend to meet with our pastor to discuss issues of faithful practice in China. Apparently, also, this career path would probably include later living in Paris or other metropolitan destinations all over the world for a couple years at a time. Why is it that a possibility to actually live out a one-time pipe dream can make a person want to run and hide?! We have watched House Hunters International and talked about living abroad for years, and now that the dream might be a reality, I am terrified!
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Contra_Mundum_1
Guest
hee heeWhy is it that a possibility to actually live out a one-time pipe dream can make a person want to run and hide?! We have watched House Hunters International and talked about living abroad for years, and now that the dream might be a reality, I am terrified!
I remember how I felt when my husband and I had to decide if we would move to Malaysia. It meant him quitting his job, leaving all family and friends and everything that is comfortable and familiar behind, and going to a completely unknown place. It was a mix of excitement and a sense of great freedom, but also of great fear. Most people thought we were nuts and that we would not cope well. I think the hardest thing was to actually decide and say yes. The actual packing and travelling and all that followed was fine.
Guess what. We are in no rush to return to Europe. Probably one day but we want to continue this adventure for now. You only live once. Why not go and live abroad and be a bit crazy? What you realise is that despite the differences people are just people wherever you go. It’s wonderful. I remember a moment at mass last year when we all stood up and recited the creed. It boomed in my ears and it felt like hearing it for the first time. I was surrounded by people from a completely different culture from my own and different ethnicities. But I really felt in that moment that we were all a part of the wonderful Body of Christ, that we were together in a special way that has nothing to do with culture and customs and ethnicity and all other external things. I felt alive and happy and grateful for that experience of the world.
By the way, your potential deal sounds very good. Apartment, school fees, household help.
What about medical insurance for the whole family?Goodness, I am getting excited about this now!
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mommamaree
Guest
Medical benefits would be the same as what they offer to all their employees, whether abroad or stateside. It is pretty much the same as what we have now.
He has been called back and they are flying him out next weekend for the next stage of interviews. If they do give an offer at that time, they do help with getting passports and pay for an apartment-hunting trip. That is the point where we will inform family, before we go on our first visit. Soon after that, we would be packing our bags for good. I found out yesterday that the expat apartment communities that we could choose from are furnished apartments. So we would only have to pack personal belongings. And all the spouses and families are very active socially!
One of the reasons for our recent discontent in our current town is that no matter how hard we try, we cannot make any headway with making friends. I have lived in this town for a total of 8 years (we moved away and then back again in the middle, or the total would be much longer) and I have a sum total of two friends, and I rarely get to see them. That is it. It is heartbreaking what a socially-closed town this is. We started talking about moving again last month, and then suddenly this opportunity arose. We are so hopeful now. If he doesn’t get an offer, we will be very disappointed.
Please pray for us to know and be content with God’s will.
He has been called back and they are flying him out next weekend for the next stage of interviews. If they do give an offer at that time, they do help with getting passports and pay for an apartment-hunting trip. That is the point where we will inform family, before we go on our first visit. Soon after that, we would be packing our bags for good. I found out yesterday that the expat apartment communities that we could choose from are furnished apartments. So we would only have to pack personal belongings. And all the spouses and families are very active socially!
One of the reasons for our recent discontent in our current town is that no matter how hard we try, we cannot make any headway with making friends. I have lived in this town for a total of 8 years (we moved away and then back again in the middle, or the total would be much longer) and I have a sum total of two friends, and I rarely get to see them. That is it. It is heartbreaking what a socially-closed town this is. We started talking about moving again last month, and then suddenly this opportunity arose. We are so hopeful now. If he doesn’t get an offer, we will be very disappointed.
Please pray for us to know and be content with God’s will.
M
mommamaree
Guest
Oh and a funny story to share…
My husband and I have been building a crazy reputation for ourselves as people who do completely off-the-wall things. We play our cards very close to the vest, so nobody ever knows what we are up to until we announce. We have dropped some bombshells on family at times, and are known to be unpredictable by them (meaning: they realize we are unconventional and do things our own way). So, on to the story…
I was at my OBGYN for my checkup (the baby is doing great!) And I knew I had to warn her that we might be moving away, especially since she did all my prenatal stuff in my first pregnancy until I was 8 months along and suddenly just picked up and moved cross-country and she never heard from me again, until YEARS later when I returned for this fifth baby. So, I said I need to warn you that we may be moving to China. Before I got any further in my comment to her, she slumped in her chair dramatically and exclaimed “You do such WEIRD things!!! I am not going to be able to deliver this baby either!” Then we both laughed and I told her she is right, I do do weird things. But once I explained, she totally supported the idea and said that in Shanghai I should have no trouble finding good OB care.
My husband and I have been building a crazy reputation for ourselves as people who do completely off-the-wall things. We play our cards very close to the vest, so nobody ever knows what we are up to until we announce. We have dropped some bombshells on family at times, and are known to be unpredictable by them (meaning: they realize we are unconventional and do things our own way). So, on to the story…
I was at my OBGYN for my checkup (the baby is doing great!) And I knew I had to warn her that we might be moving away, especially since she did all my prenatal stuff in my first pregnancy until I was 8 months along and suddenly just picked up and moved cross-country and she never heard from me again, until YEARS later when I returned for this fifth baby. So, I said I need to warn you that we may be moving to China. Before I got any further in my comment to her, she slumped in her chair dramatically and exclaimed “You do such WEIRD things!!! I am not going to be able to deliver this baby either!” Then we both laughed and I told her she is right, I do do weird things. But once I explained, she totally supported the idea and said that in Shanghai I should have no trouble finding good OB care.
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dans0622
Guest
Hello,
There is a lot of paperwork that would need to be done, not just passports but also visas to enter China (maybe that’s what you are talking about). Having spent time working in Korea and going to China to adopt, there’s a lot of bureaucracy you’ll have to navigate. But, the company should really be able to make it pretty simple for you and make sure all those things are in order. That will really help, since you have a large family and lots of documentation that needs to be completed.
While pollution is a problem, it is not a constant issue. When I was there (in Shanghai and elsewhere in China), it was not too bad. It depends on the wind, I suppose.
Dan
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bitterhope
Guest
We move every two years and have lived in Germany and Italy. We are hoping to go to either Korea or Japan next move–I guess we will see! My kids keep asking to move to China. I would love to have that opportunity. I think you will enjoy living abroad. Good luck!
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Contra_Mundum_1
Guest
Who knows, maybe for her it will be the case of 3rd time lucky
I’m sure you feel more confident now that she has told you about good medical care in Shanghai.
My husband and I often talk about our next step. He thinks that we should look into China as an option for a few years. I’m up for it.
I’ll pray for your family and this move. It sounds that you are ripe for a change and that this could be a door that opens for you.
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300WhiteKnights
Guest
I just recently finished an international business class last semester at my university. One of the things we studied was business strategy in sending expatriates. China is a popular place for business to send expatriates nowadays, since so much of American business is done with them.
That being said, the United States has a the highest failure rate for sending expatriates compared to the UK and Japan. The number 1 reason the United states has such a bad failure rate is because the expatriate’s spouse could no longer stand living there. I don’t mean to be a debbie-downer, but it may be lonely for you. You may find it hard to make friends and feel cooped up in the house.
But wow… 1.5 years in China? thats incredible. I may be wrong, but I think the Communist-sponsered catholic church in china does have apostolic succession. But If you do go to a party-sponsered catholic church don’t give them any money.
That being said, the United States has a the highest failure rate for sending expatriates compared to the UK and Japan. The number 1 reason the United states has such a bad failure rate is because the expatriate’s spouse could no longer stand living there. I don’t mean to be a debbie-downer, but it may be lonely for you. You may find it hard to make friends and feel cooped up in the house.
But wow… 1.5 years in China? thats incredible. I may be wrong, but I think the Communist-sponsered catholic church in china does have apostolic succession. But If you do go to a party-sponsered catholic church don’t give them any money.
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
We homeschool already I would jump at the chance to do this. provided I had access to the sacraments.
better start watching Ni Hao, Kai-Lan.
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