As members of the same species, we are morally obligated to warn others of danger and impending doom.

Dalian Institute of Light Industry
(Dalian, Liaoning, PR China):
Deceitful, Manipulative, Unethical.
DANGER: IMPENDING DOOM!

I was not bothered so much by the actions of Dalian Institute of Light Industry (because one learns to expect a certain level of incompetence after 6 years of living in China), but rather by the attitude of the Director and Vice-Director.

In a nutshell, I was forced out of my apartment in November and into an unsanitary (sewage stench/cockroach infestation) and unsafe (aggressive neighborhood flasher/multiple keys to my door and unknown people just walking in) apartment because of redecoration of the campus accommodations.

The temporary apartment had NONE of the things listed in my contract as indirect compensation including: heat, bedding, furniture, hot water heater for showering, cooking facilities, refrigerator, television, washing machine, telephone, the list goes on and on The Foreign Affairs Department promised that the basic essentials would be in place within a few days. Three weeks later, the only thing installed was a cheap hot water heater bought by the landlord before I moved in. And it was so cheap that the water temperature was constantly inconstant and kept burning me!!

I made many phone calls, messages, and emails every week. When they bothered to answer, the answer was always the same: were working on it. After 3 long weeks of stinky uncomfortable torture I handed in my resignation. They replied immediately, and made a heartfelt apology. The Vice Director told me (to my face) that I couldnt possibly expect them to follow the terms of the contract, because it couldnt possibly apply under circumstances like this (ie: they didnt want to spend the money required to follow the terms). I replied that law was law, and it was created so that vulnerable foreign workers (me) would have their basic rights provided for (heat and a skink-free place to sleep) during a contracted work agreement.

I noted that I had upheld my responsibilities (teaching well prepared lessons and receiving praise from both students and the leaders of the English Department), but the school had not lived up to their end of the bargain.

During this time, the Provincial Education Committee was evaluating the school because the Institute wanted to become a University. Having their only foreign teacher leave would have looked bad, so they coaxed me to finish the term and promised to make adequate reparations in atonement for their mistreatment. Honestly, I wasnt too keen about leaving the students without a mark only two weeks before final exams, so I stayed.

All appeared calm, and I was moved back in to my old apartment (still no washing machine but I knew nothing would come of it, so I didnt bother). In January I went to the Foreign Affairs Office to collect my winter salary (standard two months salary with a holiday allowance) but much to my surprise I was refused!

I was told that after the deplorable way they treated me, how could they ensure I wouldnt just take the money and run.

I was stupefied!

Of course, on my salary, I didnt have enough money to last the winter. They left me no other choice but to find another job.

If I wanted to be treated so disrespectfully I could stay at home and teach!! I came to China to enjoy a new culture and new experience not this kind of experience! I dont really need to be treated this badly for such little money.

If you are looking for a rewarding teaching experience and enjoyable life in a foreign country DO NOT go to Dalian Institute of Light Industry. Their incompetence and flexible legal responsibility will make your life miserable! Benign neglect is one thing, but malignant incompetence is quite another!

You have been warned!!!

Contact me for further details theres much more to the story!!!

Chantelle Snyder
cplsnyder2000@yahoo.com