Interested in combining a challenging job with travel in a fascinating foreign country? Why not follow in the footsteps of other Osgoode graduates who have taught law and legal English at the Southwest University of Political Science and Law in the city of Chongqing, located in the province of Sichuan, Peoples Republic of China?
For the past tweleve years, Osgoode has sent between one and three graduates to teach in this program. The lucky few who are hired leave Canada near the end of August and return the following year at the end of June, unless, of course, they decide to spend some time traveling in Asia before returning. The Southwest University pays roundtrip air travel costs to Chongqing and back to Canada.
The monthly wage is the highest standard for foreign experts teaching law courses at Southwest University, (5000 Yuan approximately $900.00 CDN). This is high by Chinese standards and more than sufficient to cover living costs in China, although it does not, of course, compare to “Bay Street” salaries. In addition, an extra month of salary is paid in January to enable the visiting teacher to travel in China or elsewhere during the month-long Chinese New Year holiday period between the two semesters. An up-scale rent-free apartment within 10 minutes walking distance from the “new campus” is also provided. Meals in a foreign visitor’s dining room are subsidized, but one may always shop in local stores and markets and cook for oneself. Graduates who have taught in China all espouse that the experience is a rewarding and enriching one. Many take the opportunity to enroll in Mandarin courses while there, although a facility in Mandarin is not necessary for the position, since teaching is conducted in English.
Previous Osgoode graduates taught graduate seminars on topics such as International Business Transactions, Comparative Law, WTO and International Disputes Resolution, as well as Legal English. Osgoode teachers are treated as “law faculty” and can participate in the research and teaching activities of Southwest University. There may also be opportunities to participate in other activities inside and outside Southwest University.
We expect to send two graduates this year in August.
So if you are looking for a change of scenery or the stimulus of living in a rich and ancient foreign culture, why not consider teaching in China? All you need to do is to submit (a) a current resume, (b) one copy of your law school and undergraduate transcripts, and (c) a cover letter addressed to Professor Jinyan Li. In your cover letter, explain your interest in teaching in China and highlight any experiences or qualifications that are particularly relevant. You can leave your application with Angela Monardo (4th floor – 4050B). The deadline for receipt of applications is Monday, March 3, 2014. Applicants will be contacted for interviews by email the week of March 10th. For further information about the SUPSL, please visit their website at www.swupl.edu.cn.