Well I didn't get paid by a German construction worker in Miami years ago; but I don't assume
I would have had that same problem with all German builders who ply their trade in USA.
Since then, I have worked for a few TC's in China and have always been paid. Sounds like
you just had bad luck as I did with my German.

I've always said pretty much the same thing. If I have a bad Big Mac in London, I don't assume the ones in Scotland are just as bad!

I worked at EF Dalian under a really good DoS and while he was there is was a good place to work, when he left it wasn't and I left as soon as possible. I would no longer recommend it as a good place to work.

I have a friend who worked at an EF in Xian and loved it. They treated the staff really well, he's teaching in Germany at the moment, but he's planning to go back to EF Xian next year.

As with any franchise operation, it really does depend on what management they have in place. Unfortunately, since the departure of Alan De'ath from EF DL at the start of 2012, EF DL is now just another money first operation.