I am finishing a stint at S.I.E. Shenyang, China. Before you go you might want to consider the following: While you do get an apartment (as part of the deal) here are some of the things you'll have to contend with. You are promised "Two English speaking channels" on the T.V. Well, once in a blue moon you'll get two; you'll be lucky if you get one. Internet? Well, yes, when it is working. AC in the aparments? Sometimes and at some hours in the day...Apartment cleaning? Yes, every few weeks whether it "needs it or not." Oh, yeah, two weeks ago the cleaning lady missplaced the set of master keys for the apartments. As of this date: (a) no keys and (b) no new locks. They will do your laundry for a fee and give you mildew for free! Ever wear a tee-shirt that has mildew? The smell is worse than roquefort cheese.

I have found the principal recruiter to be as honest as a crook and more controlling. I asked her for the specific procedures used when converting Yuan into Traveler's Chiques and, boy, she just couldn't be bothered with the "technicalities", i.e., the steps and procedures for conversions! When I asked her to put same in writing so all Foreign Experts would have the correct procedures she demurred and said, "I don't want to." When I told her I was going to advise everyone I could by posting on every internet site I could find she said, "I don't care; some will believe you; some won't." The program director is an amiable, affable individual but otherwise detached/disinterested and for some reason or other won't bring her to task. Sorry, forks, but this is China...not exactly the part that the tourists want to go and see. Oh, I almost forget when things break the attitude is:"Let's wait a while and see if it (fill in the blank) fixes itself. We don't want to be hasty here."

The Doc