Communication with your school administration is also key. I can't speak for all of the schools, but as for ZUST, communication is minimal. Each person at ZUST has different responsibilities so you must develop relationships with at least a few different people to get things done. Nyeve is your girl for school administrative business. She can help you with classes and scheduling. Mr. Li is your man for anything related to your teaching contract. He takes care of your paycheck, visa, and housing contract. If you need something fixed in your apartment, you have to talk directly to the housing ladies in charge of the international students. Ironically, they don't speak a word of English. I suggest you either practice your charades skills or snag a Chinese-speaking international student who can usually be found loitering around the dorms anyways.
Julia is the Dean of the Languages and Literature School. I've only met her once. She is very friendly, but never really available.
Your greatest resources will be the other foreign teachers living in your apartment. The couple who have worked here the longest will be leaving next year, but there are others who will be more than happy to lend a helping hand.
To be quite honest, working at ZUST has been frustrating. I've had to re-write a final exam 4 times because they didn't hold up to the 'specifications' that the department required, of which, I was never informed of. ZUST, like other Chinese universities and businesses, informs us of events, important dates, etc. on the last minute. People give the excuse that "it's just China." Either way you look at it, it is very frustrating being on the receiving end and having to change your plans for them. I've heard the same thing from other classmates about their workplaces. Some are worse than others.
