Help your transition to China go off without a hitch by completing the items below
Approximately 6 weeks before expected departure:
□ School contract signed
□ Check that your passport is valid for at least six months
□ Required Visa paperwork collated with no criminal record check completed
□ Authentication for your degree certificate and criminal record check underway
□ Book an appointment with your travel nurse to arrange immunisations.
□ Tell your family and friends are aware and regularly updated on your progress
□ Prescriptions; if you have a medication prescription, inform your Doctor that you will be living in China for a year and ask them if a long term prescription is available for you to take with you. If not possible, note that most medications are available in major cities at international clinics.
□ Arrange personal international medical and travel insurance
One month before departure:
□ Read up on the city you will be living in – check out our city guides for more information
□ Do your research; read all of our resources regarding living in China, and re-watch our pre-departure webinars
□ Inform your bank you will be living in China to avoid your card getting blocked
□ Consider arranging a credit card to be used only in case of an emergency
Two weeks before departure:
□ Give your next of kin Opportunity China’s contact details
□ Buy adaptor plugs for electrical equipment
□ Check that the Wi-Fi option on your laptop and mobile phone is functioning
□ Purchase some RMB in cash (we suggest at least £300 for the first month)
□ Scan and print all of your documents at least twice: visa, passport, flight ticket, contract, degree and English teaching qualification, insurance documents
□ Check your baggage allowance
□ Buy any small packaged food items that you could not possibly live without to take with you!
□ Visa in your Passport
□ Only book your flights once your visa has been arranged, unless you book a flexible ticket via STA Travel. Visas can sometimes be delayed, and given that some flight tickets are non-amendable or charge a high administration fee to amend any details.
Final Packing list
□ Cash
□ Clothes for all weathers, and suitable for your city of work
□ Medication
□ Origional copies of your Degree Certificate, TEFL Certificate and No Criminal Record Check
□ A folder containing multiple high quality scans/ photocopies of your passport, visa documents, qualifications, insurance details
□ Luggage locks
□ Small backpack
□ Chinese phrase book, or download a translation app
□ A small gift for your future employer
□ Photographs of your friends and family to show your pupils
□ Any items that might be useful for teaching, such as newspapers or magazines, music etc
□ An English board game; again, this may be useful for teaching
□ Camera
□ USB stick
□ Sun block
□ Any favourite cosmetics
Remember that you’ll be able to buy any items in the local Chinese supermarket that you cannot carry in your luggage, or choose not to bring.