<p>I have a son who graduated college in 2006 and is considering teaching English in Yulin, China with Aston English School. Yulin is in northwestern China in Shaanxi Province; provincial capital is Xi’an which is 6 hours from Yulin. Has anyone been in Yulin? What do you know about Yulin? There is very little info about Yulin on the Internet except on the Aston Web site. My H and I are concerned as S has type 1 diabetes. He is in excellent control but we would feel more comfortable if there are English speaking MDs and pharmacies available; I know there are some in Xi’an. S will probably need to take year’s worth of diabetes supplies (sure hope insurance will cover that). I imagine that that would be the case anywhere in Asia to insure that he has the requisite insulin and pump supplies as package delivery probably is not 100 percent reliable. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>I googled Yulin and it looks like a sizable city of 100,000 inhabitants. I would assume there would be reliable care and supplies available for diabetics. Here is a link with a picture of a hospital: </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.tropix.co.uk/region_files/china_yulin.htm[/url]”>http://www.tropix.co.uk/region_files/china_yulin.htm</a>.</p>
<p>I’ll try to get more information from people I know who have spent time in Shaanxi.</p>
<p>I live in Shanghai, China. And as a Canadian who has also lived in Guangzhou, China, Hong Kong and Boston, I would say while China has English speaking docters, bribes and gift giving is considered “necessary” for proper treatment of patients. If possible, do bring the med. from the US as there’s a lot of fake medicine in China. Other than that, I fell in love with the Chinese culture so your son will have a great time if he decides to go.</p>
<p>I am from Hong Kong and it breaks my heart each time I hear stories about the corruption and the seemingly lack of morality among many Chinese who can do anything for money. I am so sick of hearing news about fake food one after another (e.g. <a href=“China in fake baby food scare)%5B/url%5D”>China in fake baby food scare)</a>. (I don’t mean to scare you, however, as I guess most of the food are okay; if in doubt, just don’t buy processed food). My friends from Hong Kong would tell me “funny” (actually sad) stories about the uncivilized or blatantly selfish behavior (littering, cutting in lines, pushing people away to get on buses…etc) shown by people from the Mainland during their Hong Kong visits. I really hope those things won’t show up in full-display during Olympics next year! </p>
<p>Communism has no respect for tradition, social code, and culture. Under its rule for over 50 years, the beauty of Chinese culture isn’t embraced by many. I spent 6 weeks in Beijing to teach in a summer camp and was very discouraged by how many people constantly tried to take advantage of me (they think people from Hong Kong have $$$). Luckily, the HS students I was with in Beijing gave me last sense of hope for my country.</p>
<p>Thank you for your replies. The school web site says the city’s population is 250,000. However, Medic Alert’s referral service for international English speaking hospitals and MDs had names of providers in the province capital of Xi’an but none in Yulin. I have read a little about diabetes in China; the incidence of type 2 is increasing as people move away from an agrarian, walking environment. I also am concerned re: a refrigerator (for insulin storage) in the teachers’ apartment – supposedly would be very easy to confirm via email but my son’s attitude is laid back and that “everything will work out fine so don’t worry or look into it further”. Grrrr…</p>
<p>An update… S spoke with insulin pump company and rep will put him in touch with Beijing rep (packages from Beijing reach Yulin in 3 days; from here, takes 3 months for packages to reach Yulin). S is working on getting an extra pump – will also take syringes and insulin for both pump and syringes. School’s contract emailed to him and his apartment does have a refrigerator. Things are falling into place. Now for him to contact our insurance company.</p>
<p>marite, thanks – I would be very interested in hearing comments from people you know who have spent time in Shanghai.</p>
Hello 3boysnjmom. I am about to sign a contract with Aston to teach in Yulin and I was just wondering how your sons experience was. This was not my first pick of location and I am very nervous as the youtube videos of it seem ancient and almost underdeveloped. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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