Hi, i've set up this post to get an idea of how many of you are interessted in meeting up in china a few days before to celebrate chinese new year. I thought if a few of us got together then we could sort out a way of booking hostels together and flights together so that we can get lost together and get to know each other before we start teaching. Also it might be cheaper to book a hostel as a group rather than indivduals and we can transport from the airport easier if there was a few of us going. Let us know if anyone is interessted.

Hi Megan,

I am planning on getting there for New Year so meeting up sounds good to me! If everything goes to plan I will be flying in from Nepal so i'd probably meet you in Beijing.

Can't wait now, just hope it's not too long until we hear back from TTC so I can book my flights! 

Hey Megan! I'd be well up for that-sounds awesome! Hoping to leave UK in January though and hopefully do some travelling before. Probably end up in Beijing around end of January :)

Hi.... Same here. I hope to arrive in Beijing end of January . Would be great to have people to meet up with and even travel together. And Megan...I have looked up Hostels in Beijing - the look great and really cheap to stay in also.

Hi all, Im definitely up for this too! Im going to start looking into flights etc as soon as I know for definite! Interviews on Thursday ahhhh! Good luck everyone :) x

Hi Everyone

Was thinking it would be great to be there for Chinese New Year - just waiting on my confirmation before booking flights. I have the telephone interview on Thursday. What sort of stage is everyone at with the application?

Am getting super excited now just want it all confirmed so i can book the fun stuff :-)

Hi everyone , I' definitely up for going over for Chinese New Year and be great to meet up with everyone and arrange flights to arrive the same time ! I have my interview tomorrow morning too at 8am. All going ahead to plan i  hope to book my flights soon ! Kim

So i've been accepted onto the program 1st stage complete now just visa to go through. Hope everyone else has been accepted. Thinking about new year, i'm planning on flying out 31st january and be there for the 1st feb and staying in a hostel for a few days. Would be great if we all stayed in the same hostel and maybe planned a few trips around beijing together to get to know china a bit better. Hope everyone is well and courses, are going well.

I have made the plunge and booked the flights. touchwood there is no problems with visa and finishing off the TEFL course. On the emirates flight leaving on the 31st.

31/1 London Gatwick 13.40 - - - - Dubai 00.25 (1/2)

1/2 Dubai 03.50 (11.50pm uk time) - - - Beijing 14.45

hoping with the latter flight leaving around midnight UK time i should sleep on the second flight and limit any potential jetlag. Paid £394 one way, cheaper to do a return in the long run but in no rush to come back to the UK. So if any guys/ladies feel free to join the same flight if you want company.

wow ur brave taking the plunge already. gutted bout the flights, i wont be able to join on the london to dubai flight cos i'm being fussy and wanting to fly out on the new airbus to really annoy my dad cos he wants to fly on the airbus. plus i'm hoping to go from manchester as its a lot closer and easier to get than london. i might be joining you on the dubai to beijing flight though cos most manchester connections connect with that flight, hope that makes sense. how much of the course have you got left to do?

Well I'm still working on my application but I'm trying to get it sorted as fast as I can. Don't want to leave the flights til late.

I'd love to meet up with people and celebrate Chinese New Year, really get a sweet experience of China before we're into the work.

I'll update as soon as I've sorted everything, but pretty much count me in.

Hoping to fly out on the 31st also....i will be flying from Dublin...anyone else going then from Dublin ???

I still need to look into flights now, but i've got my acceptance letter, so now i'm sure that i'm going i will deffinately be up for going out for the Chinese new year, and I would imagine that I will be flying from London,

Matt

Hey kimmy I plan on travelling from dublin myself and would love to head for the new year too. I have another friend from dublin booked in too, so hopefully we can all get the same flights

That sounds awesome!! I think I can swing it getting out there a bit early.  It's good to know everyone else is planning on arriving more than the day before. 

I'm well up for that too.

Planning on spending a week or so in Dubai first but love to meet up afterwards for New Years.

I think I'm going to aim for the eand of Jan as well, to try and get there for New Year. I think there's something in the internship FAQ about accomodation and airport pickups for people who want to arrive early, has anyone seen that?

Hey Alex! I've not seen that. Sounds good though! What does it say? 

Hey Jess,

The FAQ's was attached to the email I received with the letter of invitation.  It states that accomodation is at 250RMB per night, and airport pick up is 350RMB.  I asked my contact which hotel it was, and he emailed back to say it was the Hongqiao Hotel, but I only found a hotel listed as Huiqiao or Hui Qiao Hotel.  Regardless, it's across the street from the University of International Business and Economics, which is in the Chaoyang District.

If you don't have the FAQ's, I can email them to you. :)

Hey! I do have them, I just hadn't read it properly! Oops! I think i'll probably get a transfer and hostel independently as it will be cheaper.

My flight is booked now and I arrive in Beijing on the 1st Feb! Whoop!! 

Hi MeganR77, I'm also at the same stage as you & have just had my 1 year sabbatical agreed by work. So my last day of work will be Friday 28th January therefore am able to book my flight on 31st if i so wish. I like the sound of your plan as it'll enable me to sleep off a bit of the anticipated jet lag & be refreshed ready to start. =0)

I'm meeting a Chinese guy i used to work for tomorrow in the hope of some good advice (he's married to an English lady who he met whilst she was teaching English in China many years ago) so i'm holding off on flight booking until i've met him.

Please add me as a friend & i'll gladly share anything i learn.

Take care meantime, Victoria

Hi Alex458, yes i read that about arriving early & it said something along the lines of paying for your own travel & excess baggage. Think there were set charges which i imagine are a bit inflated if you choose to accept the help of the company...

Feel free to add me as a friend as i'll be there too (prob end of Jan for these NY celebrations...

Victoria =o)

I've yet to book my flight, but I am hoping to be out there for New Years too

Hi Guys! Are we getting excited yet?

Ive booked to arrive in Beijing on the first of february, and I'm staying in the sanlitun youth hostel until its time to get bust with the teaching jazz. Please tell me some of you guys are doing the same!

Hi Alex458, I am well excited and arrived at the very same hostel this morning after meeting a charming Chinese guy on the flight from France who insisted i share him and his mums taxi here. The staff are friendly, plugged myself straight in to the net so haven't seen the dorms yet but i'm so tired at the moment I could sleep on a clothes line! Gonna catch up on some kip & see you soon. Woop woop! :o)