Working while studying

[lucespanol]

Hello everyone!

I've already join here and it seems to be a very good place. Let me explain my situation.

I am 20 and next year with 21 I will finish my Economics degree in Universitat Pompeu Fabra, in Barcelona. I am really interested in going to China to study and work at the same time. I've seen, but, that is it not possible. Is this true?

I'd like to find some part-time job related to my degree and study some master in Finance (I've seen that english teachers are very well paid but I'd be better to enter in the labour market of what I studied). I do not want a job for earning thousands of Yuans, Dollars or Euros. My goal is to study there and earning money just for "living", apartment, food, transport, flight... Of course if there is something extra money to pay the master it'd be welcome, but I'd pay it here anyway so this is not a problem. I do not speak Chinese, but I'd really like. I can speak Catalan and Spanish as mother tongues, english (not native) and italian.

I've been once in Beijing and I really loved that city and that culture. I am very interested in doing that cause it will mean a huge growth not in my carrier as an economist but as a person too.

Just let me know if I have to wake up of my dream or if it is possible.

Thank u very much!

Lucas.

[ZhangKaiRong]

Hey lucespanol,

welcome to chinese-forums!

About your problem: with an X visa/ student residency permit, you mustn't work... I don't know if it is the same with every university in China, but when I got here, we signed a paper stating that during our stay in China we mustn't do what kind of things, and working was one of these restrictions. So, you can't work legally in China if you're a university student. Chinese student can do part-time jobs, but because you're a foreigner, it is not an option for you.

I also have some doubts that you can find a suitable work for you (apart from English teaching). You're very young, I guess you haven't amassed that much professional experience yet, and as you stated, you don't speak Chinese, so what qualifies you to work in China? You know, if you want to work in China, you have to compete with an awul lot of Chinese jobb-seekers. They can be as inexperienced in work as you, but they have a great advantage: they are native-speakers. Of course, if Spain has financial companies in China, you will be useful for them, because it it possible that they don't require Chinese skills, but in this case you still face the visa problem I mentioned before.

Why don't you first come to study in China? For European Union citizens, there is a good scholarship scheme called EU Window, the Chinese Embassy in Spain also have a bilateral scholarship agreement, so you have chance to get one of these.

[liuzhou]

It is not possible to work legally while on a student visa.

To teach legally, you need a degree and a teaching qualification and two years' experience.

That said, there are illegal jobs, but they pay less (usually), conditions are poorer (usually) and you run the risk of being deported. It happens.

[bluetortilla]

I'm wondering about the flip side of this, not that it will be of much help to the OP. I've been working as an English instructor (college level) for a year and a half now. It takes quite a bit of discipline to get the work done to pass the HSK 6, but it can be done. I'm planning on getting an MA in Linguistics in the next couple of years, but I'm not quite sure how to proceed.

It's tricky.

Speaking from my experience in GZ, plenty of people here are working here under the table or on dubious visas. By no means are they all native English speakers. I am in no way endorsing illegal working, but it doesn't seem likely to me that you would get deported for it. Having said that, I personally would not work illegally nor do I need to, having the required qualifications needed for a Z visa. You can on the other hand be working on a Z visa and enroll in school- you'd just need to get the school to accommodate your work schedule. That's probably what I'll try to do.

[liuzhou]

it doesn't seem likely to me that you would get deported for it.

That's what the deportees said.

As I said, it happens. Every now and again they have a clear out. Especially in Guangzhou and Shanghai. I have known of several cases here in Guangxi.

[roddy]

I wouldn't risk any type of office / school job where you're in one place and likely to be around if the police pop round to check up on things. And any company employing foreigners in finance jobs good enough to be useful experience (as opposed to cold calling or something) is probably doing things by the book.

The only work-while-studying thing I'd advise is private teaching or tutoring, or some kind of freelance work-from-home set up.

You might not get deported, but it'd be all too easy to end up with a note on your record which might affect future visa applications.

[lucespanol]

Thanks everyone, very helpful!

As I cannot study and work, I'll try to find some scholarship or earn money to finance myself. Another possible thing would be to go there as an english teacher just to earn some moeny and enrole a chinese language course. What is it better, trying to find something from here by internet or going there and look for a job directly in China? Is it very difficult if you are not a native english speaker (but with a quite good level) and neither a chinese speaker?

Thanks again!

[liuzhou]

Another possible thing would be to go there as an english teacher just to earn some moeny and enrole a chinese language course.

As has already been pointed out, you seem to be unqualified to teach legally. You don't yet have a degree; you don't have a teaching qualification; you don't have any experience.

And while I don't mean to be unkind, your English needs some work before you could presume to teach it.

[Ami18]

Hi!

the answer to your question is quit simple, you cant work "legally" while your are holding X-Visa (Study Visa), but you can do some teaching not only English Language... you can teach English but your English should be good and you should have some teaching experience',

the benefit of studying in 2nd-tier Cities is that your university cant find out that you are working...

good luck!

[alreadytaken]

Legally you can't, but in reality no one shall play by the rules. This is China and things do not work out like the West. If your employer is willing to hire you he shall work that out for you. Good luck finding a job!