Life in Nanjing
Nanjing 每 literally meaning the ※Southern Capital§ is one of the oldest cities in China. It was the capital of China until the capital was moved to Beijing in 1949, and was the home to many dynasties throughout history 每 including the Ming Dynasty. There are many places of historic interest in the city 每 including Sun Yat Sen's tomb, the Presidential Palace, the Ming Tombs, and the Confucius Temple.
Today, Nanjing is a bustling metropolis of nearly 8 million people 每 with all of the amenities of modern life. There are literally thousands of local stores and restaurants, buses, taxis, bicycles, a subway, a bullet train to Shanghai, an international airport just to name a few. There are many foreign-owned restaurants, bars and night clubs catering to the approximately 10,000 to 12,000 foreigners living in Nanjing 每 mainly students, business people and teachers. The Nanjing International Club was started by expats about 10 years ago and they arrange many cultural and entertainment activities during the year.
Nanjing GCA's staff is a diverse group of people, and we enjoy working together and getting together every now and then for dinners, evenings out and excursions. Many of our staff like to keep fit by working out at any one of the many high-end gyms in the city, playing squash, doing yoga, swimming in the lake at the top of Purple Mountain, and doing long-distance bike trips.
The cost of living in Nanjing is much less than in the west (and even in Shanghai). Many of our staff live in very comfortable yet affordable apartments, go out several times a week to eat, and travel 每 and yet are still able to save a considerable portion of their salary.
Nanjing teachers at the local bakery for lunch. Nanjing has many foreign restaurants and bars. |
One of our teacher's 2100RMB per month apartment living room. |
One of our teacher's 2100RMB per month apartment kitchen. |
One of our teacher's 2100RMB per month apartment courtyard. |
One of our teacher's 5000RMB per month apartment living room. |
One of our teacher's 5000RMB per month apartment kitchen. |
One of our teacher's 5000RMB per month apartment view of downtown. |
Nanjing bike lane. |
Downtown Nanjing 每 Xin Jie Kou shopping area (Starbucks, McDonalds, KFC, Haagen Daaz, DQ, many local restaurants and shops). |
Fuzi Miao (the Confucius Temple) shopping, entertainment and temple district at night. |
One of the streets leading up to the Purple Mountain area of Nanjing 每 about 1 km from Nanjing GCA. |
The central Xuan Wu Lake 每 former area of the emperors. |
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Life in Jiaxing
Jiaxing - Tongxiang: Jiaxing City has a population of about 1 million people and is developing quickly as a business hub between Shanghai and Hangzhou . Tongxiang itself is a town that is part of Jiaxing City (Jiaxing can be found on Google Earth) and has a population in the city proper of about 100,000 people. Tongxiang is between Shanghai (75 minutes) and Hangzhou (60 minutes) and is in Zhejiang Province. The major industries are textiles, silk production, and farming. As the city is surrounded by lush farm fields the air is clean and free of the pollution found in larger city centres. Mandarin is spoken in this part of the country, and English is limited in Tongxiang. Learning a few Chinese phrases can be a big help before arrival (For example, Ting-bu-doh means I don't know what you are saying!).
Building: Our classes are on the sixth floor. At the top is a stellar observatory. Classes are equipped with televisions, projectors, central computer, and air conditioning.
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Maodun: The ※Big School§ is named after the famous writer. His works have been translated into English.
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The School: Purpose built in 2000, the campus stretches over several acres of land, crisscrossed by a river and tree-lined. The campus boasts a grass turf sports field with rubber running track, modern gymnasium, star observatory, a full-service cafeteria, and well-appointed classrooms. ※The Big School§ has some 3000 students, while Grand Canadian Academy, which resides in Building One with its own classrooms, library, and computer lab, has an expected enrolment for 2008-09 of about 90 students.
A rendering of the School Campus.
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Students: Our students are primarily Chinese and Korean. We offer grades 10 to 12 and students complete the full 80 Credit BC Program, earning a Dogwood Diploma upon graduation. Our students will attend universities in Canada, the US, and in other English speaking countries.
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Apartments: There are several new apartment developments within walking distance to the school. Within these complexes, there is a Fitness Center, Bank, Supermarket, Outdoor Fruit / Vegetable Market, and Massage / Sauna Center. Rents run from 700RMB to 1000RMB per month for a one bedroom, and 900RMB to 1400RMB for a two or three bedroom apartment. The common practice is to give three months rent at a time to serve as deposit and rental fee. The staff at GCA assists in finding and setting up your apartment and dealing with landlords and utilities companies.
Apartments Spotlight:
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Apartments arranged through our staff
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Modern, new developments walking distance to school
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Basic furnishings (Fridge, Gas Range, Washing Machine, Bed, TV, Desk)
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Satellite TV can be arranged (not included)
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Cleaning Services available for about $7.00 per afternoo
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Shopping: Clothing shopping abounds in the downtown core of Tongxiang along a pleasant tree-lined street. Several department stores offer electronics, appliances, clothing, accessories, and the like. Pharmacies have basic western supplies to deal with colds and headaches, but it is a good idea to bring a full supply of your regular toiletries from home as they can be hard to find. UPDATE: Walmart is set to open October of 2008 in Tongxiang. Walmart is haven for western goods and supplies, like cheese, good bread, and pasta.
Shopping in Jiaxing is easy and food is super cheap!
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Restaurants: There are several good western restaurants that serve steak, fish, and Italian food. There is an excellent Korean restaurant run by Koreans in town, as well as the regular fast-food favourites like KFC and McDonald's. Update: An excellent buffet is now available in town at a 5-star hotel that includes all you can eat king crab, sushi, steak, and beer for 98 rmb for dinner (about $14.00). Canal Bar and Coffee Lounge provides great coffee in the day and a selection of drinks in a relaxed atmosphere in the evenings.
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Hospitals: There are several hospitals in Tongxiang to deal with common aches and pains. Our school has an English speaking contact within one of the hospitals who assists teachers in translation. More comprehensive medical treatments or advice can be arranged in Shanghai or Hangzhou at a number of western medical clinics with foreign, English speaking doctors.
We now use GBG/Tie Care as our company health care provider 每 the service is excellent and they have a large network of hospitals all across China , in Asia, and in North America .
Medical Links
North American Hospital Hangzhou
Shanghai Clinic
Health Insurance
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Neighbouring Cities: Shanghai , one of the world's premier cities, is located an hour away to the east.
※Not to be mistaken for a space station, Shanghai is a real city! China 's biggest and most advanced city, Shanghai was said to be the most cosmopolitan city in the beginning of the 20th century, but lost its glory during the "Mao era". It is now quickly regaining its position as one of the biggest economic powerhouses in the world as well as a showcase of modern architecture. In Shanghai you'll find 18 structures that are over 200 meters tall, one of which is the insanely tall, the 468m downtown Oriental Pearl T. V. Tower .§
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CONTACT US DIRECTLY:
If you have any questions regarding the school, working, living conditions, or any other information, do not hesitate to contact us.
Principal: Scott Reid sreid@gcahighschhol.ca or scotreid@gmail.com , Tel: (+86) 573-810-7576
GCA (Jiaxing) BC High School website |
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