Maple Leaf International School - Tianjin Huayuan www.mapleleafschools.com City of Tianjin Tianjin is one of the four municipal level cities in China, and is located in the northern part of the country near Beijing. The city is home to one of the most important ports, and is surrounded by the Haihe River. Tianjin has beautiful scenery that leaves a deep impression on its visitors. Additionally, it offers its inhabitants four seasons. Although most of Tianjin s citizens do not speak English, the people who live there are known to be very friendly and kind. Maple Leaf International School - Tianjin Huayuan Maple Leaf International School - Tianjin Huayuan (MLIS- Huayuan) is situated in the Xiqing District of Tianjin. It currently enrolls more than 900 students from pre-school to grade 9, and has ten nationalities that are represented by teachers and students. All classes at the school are taught in either English and or Mandarin. The school also has high-end equipment for teaching such as Smart Board technology. Students at MLIS - Tianjin Huayuan The students at MLIS - Huayuan are all taught the Chinese curriculum and take ESL classes beginning at the kindergarten level. Once they complete grade nine, students are prepared for to continue their studies in Maple Leaf s BC certified high school program. The students at MLIS are very polite and have many creative abilities. They are willing to use English even after class Staff at MLIS - Tianjin Huayuan There are 31 teachers in the ESL center which includes both bilingual and international teachers. Every week the staff members come together to share their teaching techniques. The atmosphere at the school is harmonious and warm. Everyone tries their best to help and learn from each other.
Housing The apartments that are provided for the international teachers are near the school. If there are no apartments available or a teacher wishes to live somewhere else, a staff member of MLIS-Huayuan will assist them in finding other accommodation. Please note that If the teacher chooses to live in an apartment which costs more than the monthly allowance, the teacher then will be responsible for paying the difference. Furnishings Most rental apartments are furnished and include a bed, table, chairs, couch, television, hot water heater and refrigerator. Teachers will need to buy their own linens, dishes, pans, towels, mats, etc. It is suggested that teachers bring a set of sheets and towels that can be used until they are able to purchase some more in China. Utilities Teachers are responsible for the cost of water, gas, electricity and internet services as well as grounds and maintenance fees. Depending on the building and usage, the utility fees will vary for each teacher. For example, a building with an elevator will cost around 100 RMB/ month more than renting a building that does not have an elevator. Cleaners Cleaning services are available and are relatively inexpensive in China. Cleaning prices will vary depending on the size of the apartment and how often the teacher wishes it to be cleaned. Teachers who wish to hire a cleaning service are solely responsible for employment arrangements with cleaners. Pets Pets are not allowed on campus or in the school s apartments. Some teachers have brought their animals to China, however, we do not recommend bringing pets to China because it is a long and complicated process. We also do not recommend getting pets in China because workdays and vacation times are long and therefore it is very difficult to take proper care of them.
Rail Tianjin s subway system is a fast and convenient way to travel around the city. It can be used to travel to the city centre and to the Maple Leaf International School TEDA which is another campus in Tianjin. China s capital city, Beijing, can be accessed by train in only 30 minutes. Bus In Tianjin, the bus system is highly developed, and can take passengers to almost anywhere in the city. Buses are an inexpensive way to travel, but take more travel time during rush hour. Bus fares start at two RMB, and there are options for purchasing monthly passes. Taxi Taxis are easy to find on most streets in Tianjin. The base rate starts at 9 RMB for the first 3 kilometers and 2 RMB for each additional kilometer. Private taxis can be ordered by apps such as Didi and or UBER. Most drivers do not speak English, and it is recommended to have a business card or map to show them the destination you wish to travel to. Bike If you are interested in cycling, travelling by bike in Tianjin is also a great choice of transportation. Before biking in China, it is recommended that teachers first pay attention to traffic and understand how it works. Depending on where the apartment is located, it takes on average 18 minutes to bike to the school. Teachers who are interested in bicycling in Tianjin can either purchase or rent a bike. Walking Many restaurants, stores and markets are all within walking distance of the school s campus. It is important to note that pedestrians do not have the right of way on roads in China, and must pay attention to traffic at all times. There are also many nearby parks that offer pleasant walking experiences.
Groceries Groceries can be purchased at Wu-Mart, AEON, Wal-Mart and at local stores near the school. There are plenty of vegetarian and or seafood choices in Tianjin. If you have a food allergy, please let the school know and a staff member will write the allergy in Mandarin on a card for you to bring to the grocery store and/or restaurants. Household Items Household items such as furniture and small appliances can be purchased at stores such as IKEA and some supermarkets near the school s campus. Imports Imports can be purchased in large supermarket chains such as AEON or at some markets along Times Olympic City in Nankai District. Teachers can also purchase things online from Tabao and JD with delivery taking, on average, one week. Clothing Clothing shops are everywhere in Tianjin and offer a range of prices as well as styles.when packing clothing for work think comfortable and professional. Men are required to wear pants, a button up shirt with a collar and tie. Women are required to wear dresses, skirts and or pants of modest length. Jeans are not permitted for teaching but okay during weekend and holiday activities. There are many stores that sell clothing in Huzhou. It is important to note that large sizes for clothing and shoes are difficult to purchase. It is suggested if you require large clothing or shoes to pack extra. Electronics It is recommended not to bring any major electronic items to China. The Chinese use 220V power, which will permanently damage any electronics that are not rated for this power service. Laptops are usually ok, but you should check all electronic ratings before use. If you want to access Facebook and other sites you will need a VPN before you leave. If you have a mobile phone, we recommend that you get it unlocked before you leave home. WeChat is the most popular social media platform used in China, and is a good idea to install WeChat to connect you to your family.
Sights There are many places in Tianjin that offer visitors beautiful and or interesting sights. To view the City of Tianjin and get a bird s eye view, visit the Tianjin Broadcast Tower. Many parks in Tianjin are free to enter and have a lot of beautiful scenery. It is important to note that some attractions can be accessed free of charge if the person has a passport from outside of China. Entertainment In Tianjin there are many entertainment options including visits to museums, libraries, karaoke (KTVs), bars, night clubs and movie theatres. Restaurants There are many good restaurants in Tianjin that offer a variety of different dishes and types of cuisines. There are also Western options such as McDonalds, KFC, Subway and Starbucks. Travel Travelling to other cities in China by air is very convenient, and there are daily flights available that travel to nearby countries such Korea, Japan and Singapore. It takes a little under an hour to travel by taxi from the MLIS-Huayuan campus to the Tianjin Binhai International Airport. Tianjin Air is a preferred airline to travel with as their tickets are often less expensive than other competing airlines. It is important to note that during the month of May and national holidays it is always best to book travel plans a few weeks in advance. Sports Since Maple Leaf International School Huayuan is not a boarding school, the teachers are not required to supervise afterschool clubs. Teachers can join various sporting facilities as they wish.