interview and possible relocation to Wuxi or Shanghai...help

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abk62

Newbie

Joined: Sep 14, 2004
Posts: 9

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 14, 2004 - 12:13 PM
Post subject: interview and possible relocation to Wuxi or Shanghai...help

Hello all,
My name is Art. I'm an american who doesn't travel much. This will be a two part question. First:

I may be traveling to China for an interview September 24. The actual job site is Wuxi, but I may be staying in Shanghai. Does anyone have any suggestions on what kind of clothing to pack, what I may need for what might be a 4 or 5 day stay. Any information on how to prepare for the trip and what to expect when I'm there. Like I said I don't travel much. I can count the times I've been out of my home state on one hand. So I'm clueless. Especially when traveling abroad.

Secondly:
If I take the position I will most likely be posting more questions more towards relocating rather than visiting. The offer on the table is...
1.) $90,000.00 salary w/bonuses (reflective of performance)
2.) Furnished 2 or 3 bedroom apt
3.) Personal car and driver
4.) Personal secretary/assistant/translator
5.) 30 days vacation
6.) Maid service
7.) Health and medical evacuation insurance
8.) 5 day work week (40 hours)
9.) 1 round trip ticket back home per year

From what I understand this is a typical expat package. I should be getting the offer in writing in the next 24 hours. If I missed anything I'll include in my next posting. Is this a good deal, extremely good deal, bad deal??? Anything else that I should expect or ask for?

I guess I forgot, now there's a third part:

How does everyone like it in Shanghai or Wuxi? I think my apartment will be in Wuxi. Since I don't travel much I'm concerned about health issues, safety issues and my general happiness. I have ulcerative colitis and am wondering if the change in diet has affected anyone who might have the same condition. Is the area (Wuxi or Shanghai) safe, any concerns. And is everybody pretty happy with thier lives in Wuxi or Shanghai. I'm nervous about leaving family and friends to go somewhere that i don't know anyone.

Sorry to include so much. To anyone who can give me information, thier opinion, advice, etc., on one or all of these topics it would greatly be appreciated. You can e-mail me at abk62@aol.com.

Thank you,
Art

clc349

Rocker

Joined: Mar 20, 2003
Posts: 674
Location: California, USA
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 14, 2004 - 12:37 PM

You should include info like your responsibilities, job title, and industry so people here can give you appropriate advice.

n00b
PopStar
PopStar

Joined: Apr 27, 2004
Posts: 1130
Location: Hua Guo Mountain

Posted: Sep 14, 2004 - 12:40 PM

1. Visit to China
You might want to just stay in Wuxi or make sure you spend few days in Wuxi to get a feel what it likes there.
Shanghai and Wuxi is very different. You might like Shanghai but you'll work in Wuxi.
Bring your raincoat or you can buy umbrella here, it's raining almost everyday in Shanghai. Bring your sweater if you can't stand a bit of cold weather. Bring some instant food with you just in case you can't stand the food. Bring some basic medicines; aspirin, flu, cough, soar throat, stomach flu, etc.
2. You have a wife? Children? Better to ensure that they are covered in your package. Good or bad, depends on your job function.

abk62

Newbie

Joined: Sep 14, 2004
Posts: 9

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 14, 2004 - 12:48 PM

clc349,
Sorry. Responsibilities: Implementation and management of design/engineering staff at a manufacturing plant, Job title: Project manager, Industry: Automotive. Thanks for commenting so quickly.

Art

abk62

Newbie

Joined: Sep 14, 2004
Posts: 9

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 14, 2004 - 12:51 PM

n00b,
I'm single, no kids. Responsibilities: Implementation and management of design/engineering staff at a manufacturing plant, Job title: Project manager, Industry: Automotive. Thanks for commenting so quickly also.

Art