So Lauren and I arrived on Tuesday 4th September expecting to begin work on the following Monday. Sadly, at the very last minute, the Sunday, we received news that we would not be able to work on the visas we currently had. So instead of heading into the classroom we went to meet our boss the following day to discuss our options. Basically, we would need to apply for a 'working visa' also know as the 'Z visa'. To do this we need to first obtain a working license and pass a medical before heading down to Hong Kong to apply for the visa itself.
Everyone was gutted, possibly me most of all. As I explained in my previous blog, I wouldn't have made it back to China if not for the support of my family. And now I found myself with the equivalent of £20 to my name, yet I would be expected to cover all the expenses which come with applying for a Z visa.
First up was the toughest challenge, the application for a working license. I did not hold out much hope of being successful as I was told a degree would be required plus two years teaching experience. But with no money to book a flight home, I had little choice but to apply and take up my new housemate Kevin on his offer of helping pay for my application.
After an agonising wait, the results were in. against all odds, I had been granted a work license and would now undergo a medical. Luckily, the medical was at a Western Medical Centre opposed to a Chinese one, though I have had all my shots (Tequila is only a pound in one bar I frequent), of course I mean vaccinations (I apologise for the feeble and somewhat obvious gag about tequila shots).
We got the bus to the centre, and underwent a series of examinations - some were familiar such as giving blood, testing blood pressure and X-rays. Others less so, one involved a variety of suckers being attached to various parts of my body to measure only Buddha knows what and another which was an odd variation on the classic eye test, like the ones I have had in England a hundred times were you look at a board and read out the letters, the Chinese version is a series of Ms, Es, 3s and Ws.
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| The Chinese eye test |
The results came back, all of which I had passed. The one I was most excited about was to hear that I didn't have AIDs!
Next up was the final stage, the application for the Z visa which would involve heading down to Hong Kong on what would be a 28 hour train journey. I have opted not to go into too much detail about my trip to Hong Kong as I think it deserves a blog of its own (maybe even be another 2 parter!).
Once we got to Hong Kong we had enough time to drop our bags off at the hostel before legging it over to the Visa Office, and after borrowing yet more money to pay for the application, we submitted our applications for consideration on a 24 hour schedule which meant we had time to explore before learning our fate. The next day we arrived to pick up our results and fortunately we were all successful. We arrived back in Beijing on Saturday 6th October marking just over a month's worth of not teaching. But, thankfully on the Monday, I finally got back into the classroom!
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| L-R: Natalie, Chris, Kevin, Me and Jess on the bus before our medical |
