China GTA FAQ's
(Frequently Asked Questions)

1. “Odds and Ends” for China-bound Teachers
1. From the Office of Strategic Partnerships

2. SUGGESTIONS FOR CHINA PACKING LIST (2007) -- Some hints about what you should include and what can be left behind…
1. By Sharon Graham, SNU (with input from Cindy Elliott

3. RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES FOR THE DELIVERY OF FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY COURSES TO INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES
1. By Keith Campbell

4. China BBA in Management Costs and Responsibilities

5. What classes will I be teaching?
1. You will be teaching MGT301 (Management Principles) during the Fall semester and MKT 301 (Marketing Principles) during the Spring semester.
2. The university will supply the course curriculum and you will be responsible to teach that curriculum at the university you are assigned to.
3. You will receive training about teaching methods for China Universities in August.  This training will give you information about classroom settings, how to administer student activities and projects, classroom discussions, assignments and lecture. 

6. Who will supply the visa that I will need to work in China?
1. FHSU will supply your work visa.
2. You will need to get a passport before a visa can be issued.  The passport costs approximately $97.00 and takes approximately six weeks to get.  You will be responsible for the cost of the passport.  CTEL will take a picture for a passport if needed.  The website for obtaining a passport is www.passport.gov.
3. There are two types of visas that are needed.  One visa is a “Tourist Visa”.  This visa allows you to enter China.  This visa can be obtained through timelyvisa.com (http://www.timelyvisa.com/).  The tourist visa is a limit of a thirty day stay in China.  You will not need to reapply for this visa because the partner school you will be working at will supply you with a “work visa”.  To obtain a work visa the partner school will require you to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree along with two years of teaching experience or related training.  You also need to be under the age of 65 to receive this visa.  The GTA and Course Coordinator will need to have both visas (tourist and work).

7. If I leave for a holiday or a school break and return to the United States, do I need to get a new visa issued in order to go back to China?
1. The tourist visa is a multiple entry visa.  You can leave China and return as many times as needed within a one year period. 

8. Am I able to get another job in China while I am working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant?
1. You will be extremely busy while you are working 19 hours a week as a GTA and taking a MBA class.  For this reason, we are not permitting GTA’s to work outside of their teaching assignment through FHSU.  Students may visit you after school hours and need assistance with their work.

9. What is the length of this contract?
1. This is a two year contract.  If there is a reason to change the length of the contract, appropriate approvals will be needed.

10. Is health insurance covered by FHSU?
1. Health insurance for a GTA is not covered by FHSU. You will need to obtain health insurance at your own expense. You can contact Student Health.  They will give you a brochure for United Health Care.  This will explain the benefits offered to you as a student.  The insurance must include repatriation coverage and evacuation coverage.  If you have insurance through your parents that insurance plan must also include repatriation and evacuation coverage.
2. The website for Student Health which includes information about insurance offered to students is as follows: http://www.fhsu.edu/studenthealth/insurance.php

11. How do I get access to money?
1. If your money gets deposited into a bank in the United States of America you can access your money through an ATM in China using your four digit pin.  The ATM will need to be visa or mastercard ATM. 
2. You will need to notify your bank that you will be going to China and using your ATM while you are there.

12. What immunizations do I need to have before I go to China? 
1. The following website will provide information about immunization requirements for different countries:  http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
2. After you visit this website to determine what immunizations you may need, you can contact the Ellis County Health Department at 785-628-9440.  If they are unable to give you the immunization you need, there are other health departments that administer immunizations needed for other countries.  These health departments include Reno County, Sedgwick County, Douglas County, Finney County, Norton County, Riley County, Wyandotte County, and Shawnee County.

13. Will there be phones available?
1. Smart Phones will be provided to the Graduate Teaching Assistants during their stay in China.  FHSU will cover the cost of these phones.  GTA’s may also buy phone cards or Chinese cell phones at their expense if they would like to talk to their family while they are in China.

14. Will I need to learn the Chinese language?
1. There are more English-speaking persons in China than there are in the United States.  There will be Chinese classes offered at no charge should you want to take them, however, it will not be necessary.

15. Will I have an advisor/mentor while in China in case I need guidance, advice or to overcome challenges?
1. You will work closely with the Course Coordinator.  That person will be assigned to the university with you and you will have them as a resource during your GTA assignment.

16. Will I have internet access?
1. Yes, you will have internet access while you are in China. 

17. If I am traveling to China after my FHSU online class starts, will I miss a lot of the coursework?
1. You will miss approximately one week of coursework.  Notify your instructor in advance that you will be traveling to China to begin your GTA assignment.

18. Will I be considered a full time student since I am only taking one online class per semester while I am in China?
1. Yes, you will be considered a full time student.  Your GTA assignment represents two of your specialization courses each semester.  Therefore you are actually taking 9 hours per semester.

19. Where will I live?
1. There is an option to live on campus in the dormatories or off-campus in an apartment.  There are benefits to both of these options.  Living arrangements will be covered during your training in August. 

20. How will I know which university I will be teaching at?
1. The Chair of our Marketing and Management department will assign you to one of the two universities (either SIAS or SNU).  You will be notified of your assigned university through the coordinator.

21. What training is provided to prepare me for this position as GTA in the China Program?
1. We will provide a three day training program in August to supply you with information on the following topics:

                                               i.     Itinerary

                                             ii.     Contact Information

                                            iii.     Faculty

                                            iv.     School Calendar

                                             v.     Recommended Strategies for the Delivery of FHSU Courses to International Universities

                                            vi.     International Education Management Group Policy Handbook for International Education Partner Schools.

                                          vii.     Miscellaneous Topics including luggage, clothing, weather in China, shopping, laundry accommodations, toiletries, medicine/first aid, contacts/glasses, cooking stuff, food, linens/towels, electric appliances, film/cameras, office supplies, reading material, mail, medical issues, banking, and suggested resources to help you live and teach in China.

Other questions asked:

1.    What is the ultimate outcome that FHSU COBL has intended?  What future endeavors may there be with FHSU (teaching other future GTA’s, public speaking events)?  What documentaries will be requested from this experience?

2.    Are there any travel adventures scheduled?  Are the adventures all-inclusive, semi-inclusive, or at the student teacher’s expense?  Are the adventures elective or mandatory?

3.    What would be the guidelines to follow should an emergency situation arise (death in the family, political instability, etc.)