Parent Orientation Booklet

2014-2015

DET UR P O N S M UNDO

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Contents

Part One: General Information About Shanghai

A Brief Guide to Shanghai 6Transportation 6Weather 6Language 7Public Holidays 7Part Two: Before Leaving Your Home Country

Visas 10Flights 10Shipping Goods to Shanghai 10What to Bring 12Part Three: Settling In

Health and Medical Information 16Accomadation 17Utilities 19Banking 19Children 19Further Resources 21Part Four: Transitions

The Process of Transitions 24

WELCOME TO SHANGHAI

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Parent Orientation Information

A very warm welcome to Dulwich College Shanghai. This document has been developed by parents and staff at the College. We have put together a broad range of information to support both planning for arrival to Shanghai and the early months when you begin to settle in. We have also included a section entitled “Transitions, what is all the fuss about?“, which will help you understand the emotional stress associated with moving overseas. We do hope that it helps.

Our parent group, Friends of Dulwich (FoD) enables our families to build friendships and get involved within the school community. To assist our families in having a smooth transition to both DCS and Shanghai, FoD set up a Parent Ambassador Programme. This programme connects new families with our existing ones that have similar aged children. It is a very valuable programme and we strongly recommend that all new families take advantage of it. If you would like to join the programme or find out more information, please contact fod_welcome@dulwich-shanghai.cn.

If you have any ideas about how to make the transition process better do not hesitate to contact the College at info@dulwich-shanghai.cn.

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Part One: General Information about Shanghai

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A Brief Guide to Shanghai

Lying on the estuary of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River, Shanghai is regarded as the economic capital of mainland China. Arriving in Shanghai, you will be overwhelmed by the crowds, vehicles, malls and skyscrapers. This modern metropolis with its rich heritage of ancient Chinese culture offers you a wide choice of sightseeing, shopping and living. Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) remains Shanghai’s cultural, residential and commercial centre. It is not an administrative division or district in Shanghai but a term often used to describe the historical urban area of Shanghai. Pudong (east of the Huangpu River), officially known as Pudong New Area, is a district of Shanghai. Since the beginning of its development in 1990 when plans were first announced, Pudong has emerged as China's financial and commercial hub. Pudong is connected to Puxi by several tunnels, four major bridges and seven metro lines (Lines 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12). One of the things you will learn about Shanghai is that the more you explore the city, the more wonderful places you will encounter!

The College is located in Jin Qiao, Pudong New Area, about 10 kilometres from the Pudong CBD - Lu Jia Zui Finance and Trade Zone. It takes 30 to 40 minutes to travel to People’s Square - the heart of the city - from the College campus, depending on traffic. The areas around our Campus are largely residential, though there are many shops and restaurants nearby.

Transportation

If you do not have a car and driver, the metro and taxis will most likely be your main form of transport in the city. Buses can be difficult to navigate for non-Chinese speakers. Taxi drivers generally do not speak English, so it is a good idea to have your destination written in Chinese. It helps if you can also say the destination in Chinese. Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road in China. Taxis charge a minimum of RMB14 (or RMB18 at night), and from RMB2.4 per kilometre after the first three kilometres, and then from RMB3.6 per kilometre after the first 10 kilometres. Transportation cards are available for purchase at every Metro station. The cards can be used for metro, taxi, bus and ferry. You will need to pay RMB20 as a deposit which can be refunded when you surrender your card.

It is recommended that you sign up for the free SMS service called ‘Guanxi’. You can send an SMS of the shop/restaurant you want to go to on 106695882929, it will then send you a reply SMS with the address and phone number of the venue in English, it then gives you a further option to reply with the letter ‘C’ to get the address resent in Chinese. This address can then be shown to your driver or the taxi driver. There is also a free iPhone app called ‘Shanghai Taxi’ , this is also very useful.

Weather

With a subtropical maritime monsoon climate, Shanghai enjoys four distinct seasons, generous sunshine and abundant rainfall. Its spring and autumn are relatively short compared with summer and winter. The average annual temperature is 16°C (61°F).

Shanghai starts the year shivering in midwinter, when temperatures can drop below freezing and the vistas are gray and misty. Spring brings warmth; April to mid-May is probably one of the best times to visit Shanghai, along with autumn (late September to mid-November). In summer the hot and humid weather makes conditions outside uncomfortable, with temperatures often as high as 40°C (104°F) in July and August.

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Language

The languages spoken in Shanghai are Shanghainese and Mandarin. Since Shanghai is in the Peoples Republic of China, the official language is Standard Mandarin Chinese, also known as Putonghua. However, the traditional language of the Shanghai region is Shanghainese, which is a dialect of Wu Chinese which is not mutually intelligible with Mandarin Chinese. There is no standard written form of Shanghainese and it rarely appears in writing. Mandarin is the official language in China. It is a tonal language, written in characters. The Romanised phonetic version, which is commonly used to teach the language, is called pinyin. For example, China is 中国 in characters, or ‘zhōng guó’ in pinyin.

Some families find it useful to have a few Mandarin lessons before moving to Shanghai to learn the basics. If you do this, don’t worry about the characters to begin with. Mandarin courses are plentiful here, and many people have one-to-one tuition at very reasonable rates. The following websites are useful for learning the basics.

BBC (free online beginner’s course): http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/Free Chinese Lessons: http://www.freechineselessons.com/index.phpChinese Pod: http://chinesepod.com/ (free downloads; pay for extra features)Chinese Learn Online: http://www.chineselearnonline.com/about/how-to-use/ (as above)Online Shanghainese lessons: http://www.earnshaw.com/shanghainese/shanghainese.cfm

The Apple iTunes Store has a wealth of resources, some free, for iPhones, iPods/Pads, or Macs. They include:Apps: Lonely Planet Mandarin, AccelaStudy Chinese (plus plenty of Mandarin-English dictionaries including Dian Hu, KT-dict C-E and Pleco) iTunes-U: Open University Beginner’s Chinese, UCLA Center for Chinese Studies (free talks about China)

Public Holidays

China has a number of public holidays and festivals celebrated throughout the year. There are six major Chinese festivals, the most important being the Chinese Lunar New Year during which most shops and businesses close. Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations fall between January and February each year. These festivities stretch over 15 days in all, some of the evenings being marked by amazing firework displays, which are not to be missed.

Public holidays for 2014/15 include:Mid-Autumn Festival: 8th September 2014National Day: 1st-3rd October 2014The first day of January: 1st Jan 2015Chinese New Year: 19th-21st Feb 2015Qingming Festival (a.k.a. Tomb-Sweeping Day) 5th April, 2015Labour Day: 1st May 2015 Dragon Boat Festival: 20th June 2015

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9 Part Two: Before Leaving Your Home Country

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Visas

In some countries there is a registered mail service available both for submitting visa applications and receiving your visa, but this may take considerably longer. There may also be agencies who can apply for the visa for you.

Many Chinese Embassies / Consulates only open for the morning (9.00am till 12.00pm) for visa services and queues can be lengthy, so get there early (this certainly applies to the Embassy in London). Please be aware that Chinese Embassies /Consulates are closed on Chinese public holidays which may differ to local public holidays.

Embassy WebsitesUK London: http://www.visaforchina.org/LON_EN/visainstruction/250047.shtml UK Edinburgh: http://www.visaforchina.org/EDI_EN/visainstruction/255594.shtml UK Manchester: http://www.visaforchina.org/MAN_EN/visainstruction/250146.shtmlUSA: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/ Canada: http://ca.china-embassy.org/eng/lsyw/gzrz/vusa/t941629.htm Australia: http://www.visaforchina.org/MEL_EN/visainstruction/252279.shtml Other China Embassies: http://www.visaforchina.org/

Flights

Many airlines offer direct flights to Shanghai from major cities. Due to the time difference however, some flights arrive one day after the departure date.

From European cities: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air China, China Eastern, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, Austrian Airlines and SAS. Qatar Airlines via Doha, Emirates via Dubai.From North America: Air China, China Eastern, United, Continental, American Airlines, Northwest and Delta.From Australasia: Air China, China Eastern, Qantas and Air New Zealand.

Shipping Goods to Shanghai

The College does not recommend any one particular shipping company. It is essential that the service you do select is door-to-door and that the contact details for the shipping company’s office in Shanghai are known.

Our staff have used the following companies in the past:AGS Four Winds: www.agsfourwinds.comAllied Pickfords: www.alliedtoallied.comAsian Express: www.aemovers.com.hkAsian Tigers: www.asiantigers-china.comCrown Relocations: www.crownrelo.com/web/relo.nsf/index.htmEurasia: http://www.en.eurasia-intl.comLinks Relocation: www.linksrelo.comRelocasia: www.relocasia.comSeven Seas: www.sevenseasworldwide.comSanta Fe: http://www.santaferelo.com

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General Tips

The process of shipping belongings can be lengthy and frustrating. Please see the list on page 7 for items you may wish to bring that are hard to find in Shanghai.

Customs and Import Tax

Customs can be very difficult to negotiate, and you may be charged an import tax on many different items. Items attracting a high tax include electronic goods, DVDs, furniture and alcohol. How closely customs inspect your shipping is entirely arbitrary.

A helpful list of dutiable items can be found at: http://china.shipping-international.com/customs/

The timing of your shipping is dependent on a number of factors – where you are shipping from, whether you choose air or sea freight and Chinese customs. You will not be able to receive your shipment until you have your residence permit. You cannot apply for your residence permit until after your arrival and it may take six weeks to obtain, so you should make sure you have enough clothes and other supplies for the first two months after your arrival - including some clothes for cool weather just in case. Do not arrange your shipping to arrive too early as you may have to pay extra to hold the shipping at the port.

You should ensure that the shipping company spells your name correctly to avoid problems with receiving the items.

Baggage

Baggage Allowance: baggage allowances will differ according to the airline and ticket class, so please check before you fly.

What to pack: the weather varies significantly during the year so care needs to be taken in selecting the right clothing. For example, if you arrive in August, you will experience the most humid, hot season. Comfortable, lightweight clothing will be needed for a couple of months. Whilst you will arrive in the heat of August, Shanghai weather can be unpredictable so bring one or two cool weather items.

Airport Customs: if you arrive in Shanghai with a temporary visa this only allows you to bring in your personal/accompanied baggage. While Chinese customs is inconsistent, most people will not have trouble clearing the baggage allowed by the airline, providing you are not bringing in any prohibited items such as food. Note that hand-carried large electrical goods may attract a heavy tax.

Pets

If you have pets to bring to China, the pet will have to be quarantined for 7 days (at a cost of approximately RMB 2,000) at the quarantine station or even 30 days (around RMB 3,500) if it is from an “epidemic area”. Please contact your relocation company for more details.

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Mail/Posting

Packages: reliability of receiving packages is inconsistent. Large packages arriving in Shanghai may need to be collected from the main post offices.

Stamps are available at post offices for outgoing mail and there are some express mail services available, including DHL, Federal Express and UPS.

What to Bring

There are many large shopping malls, department stores, supermarkets and traditional markets in the city. There are also many markets stocking everything from designer clothes to furniture, plants to sunglasses, electronics to ski gear, but authenticity and quality are not guaranteed. Most items can easily be found in Shanghai, though you may not find the brands you are used to.

The most important things to have with you are your personal documentation (birth certificates, marriage certificates, vaccination records etc), these should be kept with you when you fly to Shanghai – not put in your relocation shipment.

Clothing/ShoesHaving clothes tailored - especially formal wear - is easy and cheap in Shanghai.

There are plenty of markets for cheap clothes, plenty of designer shops, and an increasing number of midrange options like Zara, H&M, Next, Promod, OVS, FCUK, Esprit, Uniqlo, Marks & Spencer, Gap and Mango, though clothes/shoe sizing and often style is aimed at the Asian market.

Harder to find:• Larger sizes and sizing for the taller person• Good quality underwear• Large size swimsuits• Hosiery• Shoes in UK size 7+ (women) and 10+ (men)

Special Note: Children’s shoes, especially school shoes: while they are available in Shanghai, the good quality ones are expensive. We recommend you bring a couple of pairs from home to last the school year. Shops will not generally measure your child’s feet.

Toiletries(Also see the Health section for more information)

Both Watsons (a Hong Kong chemist) and Sephora have branches in Shanghai, but you may not find the selection of goods here you would find in your home country. Also, be aware that many facial creams here have whitening properties. International brands, including virtually all cosmetics, are available in department stores but are expensive.

*Special note: First Aid products – most are available here, but we recommend you bring an initial supply from home for use in the first months until you are settled.

Hard to find:• Good deodorant and toothpaste - brands here may be different from those you are used to; selection here is limited, and flavours more suited to the Asian market (Green tea flavoured etc).• Vitamins and supplements are available but expensive.

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• Good mosquito repellent (necessary in the summer), such as Jungle Formula. Effective Chinese brands can be found – but if you have a favourite stock up.• Good sunscreen is available but expensive and often only in small volumes, also the descriptions are all in Chinese and it is sometimes hard to determine what you are buying• Basic painkillers of a brand you like (Nurofen, Advil, Tylenol, etc)• Cold and flu medication (e.g. Lemsip).• Other brand name medication.

Long-term medication - you can get items on prescription here, but you may not be able to get the same ones you have at home. Bring a large supply if you are concerned and especially for the first few months while you get settled.

FoodThe first thing to realise is that practically anything you want is available, but at a price.

“Expat” supermarkets like City Super, City Shop, Ole and Pines stock Western favourites but are expensive. Dairy products are available everywhere, as is breakfast cereal. Markets and local shops have inexpensive fresh fruit and vegetables. There are some international delicatessens, bakeries and butchers importing foreign foods. You may want to bring some favourite long-life or specialty goods (Marmite, breakfast tea, chocolate, baking goods, gravy granules are some items people miss) but be aware that bringing fresh food is prohibited by customs.

If you have a particular dietary requirement or allergy, you may want to consider bringing some specialty items (diabetic, gluten or lactose free). There are some items available here but if there are essentials you need, you should stock up. (If you have a special need and have questions, please contact a member of the FoD Welcome Committee at: fod_welcome@dulwich-shanghai.cn.

Computer EquipmentComputers are not significantly cheaper here but you can buy from computer stores like Apple Store, Cyber Mart, Pacific Digital Plaza and Buy Now. There is an Apple service centre out-sourced to Solution Keys inside the College and you can purchase Apple products there. There are two official Apple stores in Shanghai (one in Pudong, one in Puxi), as well as many authorised retailers.

If you bring your printer, you may need to bring a supply of ink cartridges as replacements are not available for all models.

ElectronicsElectronic goods can carry a high customs fee, so it may be better to purchase many items once you are here. Most items are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive. There are many local electrical stores in Shanghai including Yole, Sunning and Gome. Many supermarkets stock international brands, as do Nong Gong Shang (Chinese chain) and Carrefour.

If you bring electronics, check the voltage and bring plug adaptors: the universal adapters you can buy on aeroplanes in duty-free can be handy for travelling to lots of different countries. (Electricity here is 220 volts, similar to the UK, Australia and Europe).

*Special Note: Electrical Kitchen Equipment*: Some electrical kitchenware is hard to find and expensive so you may wish to consider bringing it from home. For example: food processors, bread makers, blenders and crock pots.

Mobile PhonesMobile phones are easy to buy here from local electronics stores and computer stores. If you decide to bring iPhones or other mobile phones from home ensure they are unlocked. You can then simply

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purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM (see mobile phone section for further details). If your phone is tied to a contract in your home country, you will continue to be charged at home and will not be able to use the phone in China.

Note: many people use Skype to make international calls (www.skype.com).

FurniturePlease note that imported furniture can attract a customs charge. If you are limited in the furniture you can bring, only bring items that are special and meaningful to you as furniture here is generally reasonably priced. Almost any type of furniture you want is available in Shanghai. From custom-made to antique, to IKEA, whatever you need, you will find it.

Household ItemsAs with furniture, there are plenty of shops selling kitchen equipment, crockery etc. including IKEA, Wal-Mart, B&Q, Muji, Carrefour, Franc Franc. Department stores stock international brands. Again if there is a specialised item that you use regularly do bring it with you.

*Special Note: Bedding*: Chinese mattresses may not be the same size as at home. If you bring your mattress from home, bring at least an initial supply of sheets that fit – especially fitted sheets. IKEA does stock fitted and flat sheets and it is very easy to have sheets and other bedding custom-made at various markets.

BooksEnglish-language books can be found at the Foreign Languages Bookstore, Garden Books and Charterhouse but selections - especially of newer titles - are limited. Amazon does deliver to China, and if you use a translation service like Google Chrome, you can also order from Amazon.cn. The school library is also well stocked and borrowing is encouraged. In addition, Friends of Dulwich will regularly hold used book sales where many English language books are available and other foreign language books as well.

DVDs/CDsGenuine DVDs/CDs are hard to find, as pirated versions are everywhere. If you want to play your DVDs from home, you will need to use a region-free DVD player or alter a region-specific player.

Sporting Equipment & ClothingFor the most part, sporting equipment and clothing is easy to find and there are a few branches of the sport superstore, Decathlon.

Some children’s higher quality/specialised sporting equipment may be a bit harder to find or may be very expensive and would be better brought from home, for example; branded football or rugby boots, baseball gloves (especially right handed gloves), hockey equipment and gum shields.

ToysMany department stores stock international brands including Toys ‘R’ Us but sometimes with limited options, especially if you are looking for English language electronic toys.

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Part Three: Settling In

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Health

Western-style medical facilities with international staffing are available in Shanghai. These offer international-standard family practice services, dental health, emergency medical and clinical services, though they can be very expensive. 24-hour emergency assistance is available as well as medical evacuation services. However these may not equate to the same level of service found in your home country. Some local hospitals provide quality care but beware that most require cash in advance and little or no English will be spoken.

The most comprehensive hospital catering to expats and providing the only full 24-hour emergency services is:

Shanghai United Family Hospital and Clinics (SUFH)1139 Xian Xia RoadTel: 2216 3900SHUPtservice@ufh.com.cnHours: 24 hour Emergency Room

Medical ClinicsThe nearest clinics to the school are: Hospital Name Website Telephone Opening HoursHuashan www.shanghai.ufh.com.cn 50309907 8.30am to 5.30pmParkway Health www.parkwayhealth.cn 64455999 24hr Phone line

Rui Dong Hospital www.ruidong-hospital.com 58339595 24hr Phone line

Other Pudong Options:Hospital Name Website Telephone Opening HoursWorldPath Clinic www.worldpathclinic.com 20207888 9.00am-8.00pm (Mon-Fri)

9.00am-5.30pm (Sat-Sun)Shanghai East www.seimc.com.cn 5879 9999 24hr Phone line

Other options:Hospital Name Website Telephone Opening HoursHuashan Worldwide www.sh-hwmc.com.cn 6248 3986 24hr Phone lineChildren’s Hospital of Shanghai

www.shchildren.com.cn 6279-2283 24hr Phone line

Physical Therapy:

Hospital Name Website Telephone Opening HoursSinoUnited Health www.sinounitedhealth.com.cn 50307812 8.30am-6.00pm (Mon-Fri)

8.30am-12.00pm (Sat)

Information and SupportName Website Telephone Opening HoursLifeline Shanghai www.lifelineshanghai.com 6279 8990 10.00am-10.00pm

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Dental and OrthodonticsIt is a good idea to have a dental check up before leaving home and to bring your last record with you. The international dental clinics in Shanghai provide full dental services but they are expensive.

Dental Clinic Name Website Telephone Opening HoursTokushinkai Dental www.tokushinkai.com.cn 50307858 10.00am-8.00pmKowa JinMao Tower www.kowa-dental.com/en/ 51082222 9.00am-8.30pmNew York Dental www.newyorkdentalchina.com 62781181 9.00am-6.30pmPG Dental www.pgdental.cn/en/ 64515351 9.30am-6.00pmPure Smile http://puresmile.com/ 61059400 10.00am-6.00pmDDS Dental www.dds-dental.com 68760409 10.00am-6.00pm

Vaccinations There are no vaccinations required by law for your work visa, but you may wish to ensure that your routine vaccinations are up-to-date before you come to Shanghai. Check with the World Health Organisation or your local GP for any vaccination recommendations for China, or have a look at: http://www.nathnac.org/ds/c_pages/country_page_cn.htm#vpr. Vaccinations, particularly if imported, may be difficult to acquire.

Malaria is a concern in parts of East Asia, but you do not need to take any anti-malarial medicine in Shanghai or other major cities. If you travel into more rural areas, you should seek your doctor’s advice.

OpticalWe recommend that you have an eye examination before coming. If you require glasses, bring a spare pair and your prescription. Opticians and optical services are available here. Contact lens solution is also easily attainable.

Huashan Hospital in Puxi has an very competent international Optical division.

Housing

Below are a few of the housing compounds where most Dulwich families are living. Although we have only included areas in Pudong, we do have many families who live in Puxi.

Dulwich does not endorse or promote any of these compounds. We have listed them by proximity to school in alphabetical order.

Key Points:• In the compounds located near school many parents and children will ride bikes and scooters as a means of transport to school.• Most compounds have security.• Although most compounds have health club facilities and pools often these are in addition to the rental contract. • Management companies tend to provide quicker and more consistent service than an individually owned unit.• Painting and minor repairs can be negotiated into contracts prior to moving in.

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JinqiaoThe Jinqiao area has been developing rapidly over the last few years. It includes a substantial retail/leisure complex called Green City which has a variety of shops along with popular chain bars/restaurants such as Starbucks, Bluefrog & Simply Thai. A short distance from Jinqiao is the popular Thumb Plaza area, this also has many of the popular chain restaurants, including McDonald’s and Burger King.

Century Park Area/ Huamu RoadThe Century Park area is close to Kerry Parkside and Century Park. Century Park is the largest park in Shanghai. It offers walking trails, boat rentals, rides for small children and more. Kerry Parkside is a hotel as well as a shopping centre. There is also a metro station close by on Huamu Lu.

LujiazuiLocated on the Huangpu river, with fabulous views of the Bund. Lujiazui compounds are within walking distance of Lujiazui financial area with SuperBrand Mall, IFC, World Financial Center and the Jin Mao Tower nearby.

Kangqiao New Development Zone10km from the city centre and 6 km from the Huangpu River, this area is in close proximity to the outer ring road and provides easy access to both Pudong and Honqiao Airports.Some of the compounds our families currently live in include:

Compound Name Area Distance from School

Facilites Villas/Apartments

Beverly Hills Jinqiao 5 minutes walk No VillasGreen Court Jinqiao 5 minutes walk Yes ApartmentsGreen Hills and Willowbrook Jinqiao 20 minutes walk

10 minutes by carYes Villas/Duplex

Green Villas Jinqiao 5 minutes walk Yes VillasShimao Lakeside Garden Jinqiao 15 minutes walk

5 minutes by carYes Villas/Duplex/

ApartmentsVizcaya Jinqiao 10 minutes walk

5 minutes by carYes Villas

Tomson Golf Jinqiao 15 minutes by car10 minutes by bike

Yes Villas/Apartments

Tomson Beautiful Villas Jinqiao 15 minutes by car Yes DuplexDong Jiao Villas Jinqiao 15 minutes by car Yes VillasKerry Parkside Residences Century Park 15 minutes by car Yes Serviced

ApartmentsPudong Century Garden Century Park 15 minutes by car Yes ApartmentsRegency Park Century Park 15 minutes by car Yes VillasSeasons Villas Century Park 15 minutes by car Yes Villas/Apartments/

townhouses/serviced apartments

Yanlord Town Thumb Plaza 10 minutes by car Yes ApartmentsEast Gardens Zhang Jiang 15 minutes by car Yes VillasTomson Gardens Zhang Jiang 20 minutes by car Yes Duplex/VillasBuckingham Zhang Jiang 30 minutes by car Yes VillasPalm Springs Zhang Jiang 30 minutes by car Yes VillasSan Marino Bridge Zhang Jiang 30 minutes by car Yes VillasFraser Suites Lujiazui 30 minutes by car Yes Serviced

ApartmentsShimao Riviera Gardens Lijiazui 30 minutes by car Yes ApartmentsTomson Riviera Lujiazui 30 minutes by car Yes ApartmentsYanlord Garden Lujiazui 30 minutes by car Yes ApartmentsBellewood Villas Kanqiao 30 minutes by car Yes VillasEmerald and Emerald Forest Kanqiao 45 minutes by car Yes VillasTiziano Villas Kanqiao 45 minutes by car Yes Villas

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Utilities

Electricity: Shanghai has 220-volt/50 cycle electricity. You will need a transformer for 110-volt appliances.

Gas: cooking in Shanghai is generally done on gas hobs. Many Chinese people do not generally use ovens, but apartments/houses for expats will usually have with them either built-in or table top style.

Water: it is not advisable to drink tap water in Shanghai, though it is usually fine for brushing teeth. Water dispensers that take large mineral water bottles are easy to find and the water is not expensive.

Heating/air conditioning: many houses and apartments use individual-controlled wall-mounted units. Some apartment blocks have central air conditioning, which provides both heating and cooling depending on the time of the year. Some villas have underfloor heating.

Telephone/Internet: most apartments and houses have landlines connected, and calls and line rental are billed monthly. Broadband internet access can be arranged easily. Monthly charges are from 175RMB depending on the speed of the connection with unlimited usage. You can purchase a router easily if you need a wireless internet connection.

Mobile PhoneYour mobile phone is your first and main form of communication. You may want to consider a phone which texts easily. Texting is a popular form of communication throughout China.

Discounted rates for international calls are widely available.

You will need a passport when going to China Mobile, China Unicom or another phone service provider to obtain a SIM card for your cell phone. You can choose either to sign on for a plan with monthly billing, or a prepaid plan that has no contract or monthly subscriptions. A secretary from your office or a friend who speaks Chinese can help expedite this process. China Unicom is the only 3G provider in China.

There are many choices on purchasing minutes. You can go to any China Mobile or China Unicom store/kiosk to do this. Handing over your phone and phone number and indicating how much money you want to spend usually results in a successful top-up . Also cards can be purchased at many shopping marts. Recharge minutes are sold in increments of 100RMB - wait for the English prompt and simply load minutes onto your cell phone. Phone kiosks also sell pre-paid SIM cards that do not require deposits or monthly subscriptions. SIM cards cost 100RMB and come with 50RMB worth of minutes. Local calls and text messages are inexpensive.

IDD/IP CardsYou can use International Direct Dial from your apartment landline by using the dialling codes (00+country code + city code). IDD charges are very expensive in China. Buying an IP card is often a much cheaper option and these can be purchased at news stands, mobile phone shops and convenience stores. There are many different types offering different rates to different countries. Do not pay the card value (100RMB) - you should be able to get them for around 30-40 RMB (60 to 70% off).

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Household Help

Many expatriates in China have an ayi (pronounced ‘eye-ee’): ladies who either live in or come to your home (anything from a few hours a week to every day) to do laundry, housework, cooking, grocery shopping, childcare, babysitting and pet care, depending on what you require. Rates are very reasonable. Ayis are often found through word-of-mouth recommendations, but you may also find one through the community forum on the College website, discussion pages of expatriate websites, expat supermarkets, and agencies. Be aware that most ayis do not speak any English, and the ones who do, charge more. Although the lack of English can be challenging at first, it makes for a good way to learn Chinese and children invariably pick up the language quickly from their ayi.

Banking

The currency in China is the Renminbi, or RMB. The main unit is called the ‘yuan’, or colloquially ‘kuai’. At the time of writing (June 2014), the exchange rate to GBP is 10.59 and to USD is 6.23.

Most shops, restaurants and supermarkets accept credit cards and debit cards. Some smaller shops and markets accept cash only.

Please note that many ATMs give your money before returning your card, so be careful not to leave your card in the ATM.

You may want to consider setting up internet banking, as this is a very useful way of tracking and administering your home bank accounts while you are overseas.

Children

Chinese people love children, and will often react very warmly to them, even to the point of picking up young children and touching older ones. For some Chinese people, Western children, especially if they are fair-haired, are an unusual sight, so they may attract a lot of attention. This phenomenon is much more common in the countryside than in the city. Do not be alarmed - it is not threatening, and is well-intentioned.

Shanghai has a lot of child-friendly restaurants, and plenty of child-oriented activities and events including a variety of sports. A number of publications cater specifically for families with children, providing general information and guides on events and activities.

Equipment/ToysBicycles are easy to find, as are car seats and buggies/push chairs though they are expensive. You may wish to bring these with you. Toys are easily found in department stores and markets.

ClothesMarkets have a wide variety of children’s clothes but size and quality vary. Stock up on basics from reliable stores at home. You may find small gloves/mittens hard to find and these are essential for winter. Good quality, reasonably‐priced shoes are also hard to find.

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Books/TelevisionThe Foreign Languages Bookstore has a good selection of children’s books, but original DVD favourites of TV series are hard to find, so you may want to bring them with you.

ChildcareSee Accommodation section above for information about household help and childcare.

OtherThings to be aware of:

• Most taxis do not have rear seatbelts• The age limit for consumption of alcohol is generally not enforced so it is relatively easy for young teenagers to obtain alcohol.

More Resources

There is a lot of information about China and Shanghai on the internet: have a look, but please remember that opinions and experiences differ. You may find the following websites useful:

School website:www.dulwich-shanghai.cn

Moving to China:Transitions Abroad offers helpful advice on moving with children, food, etc:www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/living/livingabroadin/living_abroad_moving_to_china.shtml

Living in China:Etiquette in China: www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=China

General Information on China and Shanghai:The Economist: www.economist.com/countries/ChinaLonely Planet: www.lonelyplanet.com/china/shanghai

Information on Shanghai events, restaurants and entertainment:Shanghai Events: wwwshanghaiexpat.com/City Weekend: www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/Smart Shanghai: www.smartshanghai.com/This Shanghai: www.thisshanghai.com/Asian Xpat Shanghai: www.shanghai.asiaxpat.com/Shanghai Family: www.shfamily.com/Thats Shanghai: www.thatsshanghai.com/

BooksAnything by Peter Hessler (River Town, Country Driving, Oracle Bones)Jonathan D. Spence, The Gate of Heavenly Peace and The Search for Modern ChinaJames Kynge, China Shakes The WorldMartin Jacques, When China Rules The World (the UCLA iTunes-U site has a free talk from him you can download - see below)Jung Chang & Jon Halliday, Mao: The Unknown StoryLeslie T. Chang, Factory GirlsJames McGregor, One Billion Customers

OrganisationsShanghai Expat Association: www.seashanghai.org/Brits Abroad: www.britsabroadshanghai.com/Australian Women’s Group: www.awsg.org/American Women’s Club: www.awcshanghai.org/

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Currently the nearest station to DCS is Yunshan Road on line 6

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Part Four: Transitions

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The account below is based on an article entitled “Transition Programming in International Schools:

An Emergent Mandate” by Barbara F. Schaetti (originally published in 1996, by the Association for the Advancement of International Education), derived from a model of transition by David Pollock2. It has been included in this Handbook to help parents gain an understanding of the emotional difficulties that may be experienced when transitioning to an international school environment.

Student mobility is a defining characteristic of most international schools. It’s not uncommon for 30% of any given student population to turn over every year. While faculty and staff mobility may be less extensive, regular turnover there too is common.

What does this mean for an international school? Consider the impact on a learning environment when on average one third of the population is in the midst of pre-departure anxiety, another third wound-up in post-arrival uncertainty, and the final third busy trying to keep it all sorted out.

The Process of Transitions

Phase 1: InvolvementPeople who are involved in their community have a sense of belonging. They are perceived by others as being part of a group, with a reputation—for good or ill—and a social/professional position. They are known by others and they in turn know the people around them: histories, weaknesses, strengths. They have a similar knowledge about the community itself. They know where to look for the first flowers in spring, where to go to get their shoes fixed, multiple ways to get from point A to point B depending on the weather or traffic conditions. As an adult global nomad put it to me after living in a rural community for thirteen years, being involved means “everyone knows you for 50 miles around and 50 years back.”

People in the involved phase typically present themselves to others as committed to their community, responsible and responsive. Their internal experience is one of intimacy. They feel secure, confirmed by the world around them in who they are. While they may also, of course, feel confined and claustrophobic, they nonetheless know what is expected of them without question.

The involvement phase means people’s time orientation is to the present. Those in this phase are not thinking about where they have come from nor are they thinking about where they are going. Although they of course think about the past and the future, their primary orientation is in terms of what is going on now.

The experience of involvement typically requires that a person spend time in a given geographic location. It’s important to remember that multi-mover students and their families may not have a recent experience of this phase of the transition experience. The well-known 3-year expatriate cycle does not really allow for it: the first year you’re in the confusion of arrival, the second year you’re beginning to figure out how things work, the third year—just as you’re becoming involved—you get transferred on.

For some, a transfer can be a big relief. International school students are quick to say that one advantage of moving is that you can re-invent yourself in your new location. Don’t like the reputation you have—change it at your next school. Want to start fresh—wait for that next international transfer.

Of course, the flip side of this is also true: do like the reputation you’ve worked hard to build, now begin all over again from the bottom up. A multi-mover non-salaried spouse, having at the time lived in one place for several years, told me how she had finally been able to build a reputation in the community such that she was elected to the board of her children’s school. At last here was a position which she could put directly on her c.v., a credible position with status (albeit volunteer). Unlike

Part Four: Transitions

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other expatriate spouse volunteer positions, she would not have to search for ways to legitimise its professional relevance to hoped-for future employers. This multi-mover, finally re-involved in her community after their last transfer, came home one day to learn that her husband had been transferred yet again. There she was, facing loss of reputation, loss of position, loss of being known and of knowing others. Time to start over—again.

Phase 2: LeavingWhen people learn that they are about to be transferred, their time orientation suddenly shifts from the present to the future—where are we going, what will it be like, will I fit in...?

People in the leaving phase of transition are typically (and hopefully) perceived by others in celebratory fashion. Friends pay them a lot of attention, ask a lot of questions about where they are going and when. It’s a time of recognition, of farewell parties and of bringing closure to relationships and activities.

Inevitably, however, one’s social posture necessarily becomes distant. In order to leave, one must loosen ties, let go of roles, disengage. In order to transplant a plant, one has to pull up its roots. Just as when transplanting a plant, however, a person’s roots must be carefully disengaged; they will otherwise be torn and damaged and not be able to take firm hold again in the new location.

While those in the leaving phase of a transition must disengage from people and activities being left behind, so too must those remaining disengage from people leaving. This can lead, on everyone’s part, to feelings of rejection and resentment. A child or adolescent —or indeed an adult—may understand when friends plan future activities and don’t include them, but it hurts nonetheless.

International school teachers often report another dimension to disengagement. It’s common to see students creating conflict and rousing anger with one another as a way to ease the sense of loss from an impending transfer. For some reason humans seem to think it’s easier to leave a friend when we’re angry with him or her than otherwise. Unfinished business goes with us, however. Three months later, six months later, the regret over harsh words once spoken can very much impede a person’s ability to settle into a new community. Just when it seems least worth our effort—after all, we’ll never see this other person again —is when it’s most important to reconcile differences.

Leaving, one’s own or a friend’s, is a time fraught with emotion. One common response is to deny uncomfortable feelings. (There is a bumper sticker in the United States which reads “denial is not a river in Egypt”.) I asked a group of secondary school students with whom I worked recently what skills they or those they knew had gained from moving internationally. One young man replied, “how not to feel feelings”. The other students laughed with him, but everyone in that room knew the truth of what he said. For multi-movers especially, not feeling feelings can become a survival skill. So can disengaging from all academic and social roles immediately upon learning of a transfer. While people leaving must disengage, they must do so in a timely fashion: neither too late nor too early. ve.

Transition Phase 3: TransitionWhen people find themselves without status, unknown and unknowing. They have special knowledge—such as where to go to get shoes fixed in Copenhagen—which is totally without use in Tokyo. Their internal experience is typically one of chaos and isolation. The whole world seems turned upside down, often right on top of them. Time orientation for people in this phase is typically to the future: how will this situation resolve itself, will it ever end.

The transition phase is a time of self-centeredness. People in this phase necessarily think first and foremost of themselves. Despite all good intentions, parents may be less emotionally available to their children during this time and certainly the reverse is true. At the same time, just when people may most want to isolate, they must self-initiate: get up, get out, meet others, keep busy. It’s typically a time of psychological anxiety. There’s often a loss of self-esteem as the reality sinks in that you truly are statusless and unknown by others.

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The experience of this phase as chaotic may be exacerbated by being on “home leave,” visiting friends and family and favourite places, living in hotels or other people’s homes, rather than being in one’s own domain. The loss of continuity brought on by a move is extreme during this phase; one is not only without familiar people and places but also without the household goods which may be the only real continuity outside the immediate family. Teachers and staff can educate students and parents about “sacred objects,” those few things which remind a person of home and community wherever he or she may be. Sacred objects are best taken on the airplane, in a carry-on bag, rather than packed in a household shipment.

However uncomfortable this phase may be, it can also be a time of great creativity. The creative act is essentially one of stepping outside the tried and true into something new and different. William Bridges, in his book Transitions, writes about the chaos of transitions as a necessary phase, a necessary fermentation, out of which comes the creative future1. The more this experience of chaos is resisted, the less creative are the future possibilities. This is an important perspective and consideration for people in transition, even for the non-salaried spouse and dependent child who may not feel that they have much power over future possibilities.

Transition Phase 4: Entering People in this phase of transition are constantly having to introduce themselves to others. In uncertain positions within the new community, they may easily misinterpret nonverbal signals and moves taken for granted by others. Entering is often a time when people feel marginalized, on the edges of the society and looking for a way in to the centre.

The entering phase of a transition is usually one of great vulnerability. People in this phase can often be ambivalent, fearful, and easily offended. While their time orientation may again be to the present, it may also be only temporary as they look repeatedly to the past and the (often now idealised) memory of where home once was.

Students at all grade levels repeatedly tell me that their first self-imposed task upon entering a new school is to make friends. Even students in the midst of transition fatigue, more inclined to isolate than to socialize, need to have at least one friend before any measure of security is reached in the new environment.

Transition Phase 5: Re-Involvement The most fortunate of those in transition stay in their new location long enough to finally complete the cycle. Now one’s time orientation is again to the present, this time with a sense of permanence. People who have re-involved themselves again have a sense of belonging, of knowing others and of being known. They again have a reputation and a position in society. They experience themselves as committed and secure, affirmed by the community in which they live, work, study, and play.

A Special Kind of Transition: Re-EntryRe-entry, moving to one’s passport country, is typically found to be the most difficult of all transitions. As such, it requires special attention in any discussion of international school student transitions.

Many factors come into play to make re-entry such a challenging transition, not least of which is the assumption that one is “going home.” Even a short one or two year international sojourn is enough to change perspective and outlook. People returning to their passport countries after such a brief time abroad may expect to fit right back into their old friendships and daily patterns. Typically, however, their international experiences have re-shaped them enough that they don’t fit in quite the same way. They’ve become to some extent like a square peg trying to squeeze into a round hole, a hole they think should be familiar but isn’t. This is all the more true for the multi-mover or long-term international sojourner whose experience of “home” may be based solely on family stories or periodic vacations. A Canadian who grew up in Papua New Guinea and India spoke of “riding on his parent’s mythology” about Canada. The Canada which he eventually re-entered bore little resemblance to the Canada of his family’s myth.

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Entering one’s passport country is also challenging because, once there, students typically attend local rather than international schools. Students and teachers in an international setting tend to be very aware of helping new students make friends—after all, everyone there has at one time or another been new. This is much less the case in a local school context where student mobility is more often the exception than the rule. Ask any international school multi-mover student who has experienced re-entry which is easier, entering another international posting or re-entering one’s passport country, and the answer will invariably be the former.

Transition activities and education specific to preparing students for a re-entry experience include those described earlier in the discussion of “leaving”. The particular characteristics of re-entry should also be addressed however, giving a slightly different twist to the focus of the work. It can be especially effective for students to hear from their peers on this topic.

1Bridges, William. Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes. Reading MA: Addison-Wesley Pub-lishing Company, 1980.

2Pollock, David C., The Transition Model, Albany NY: Interaction Inc., 1990.

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266 LanAn Road, JinQiao, PuDong, 201206info@dulwich-shanghai.cnwww.dulwich-shanghai.cn