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Hospitals and corner shop pharmacies are well stocked with modern western medicines, but one should not submit to treatment without the intercession of a reliable advocate.
It is common sense to ensure that you have received all your recommended vaccinations from your own doctor before departure, as a precaution.
A network of student translators and independent guides exists, local Chinese and long-term resident foreigners. They have accumulated a wealth of personal connections and of experience concerning the daily realities of living and doing business here, things that less casual advocates for regional or personal development will be reluctant to tell you.
Employment opportunities exist, though most are still for English language teachers. The workload can be rewarding, difficult or easy depending on your professionalism, luck, personality and understanding of local conditions.
To set up shop here alone or in partnership is a difficult undertaking.
There are many hurdles to overcome such as communication and in some cases official approval. These barriers are not impassable.
For example, Joseph, from Sierra Leone, speaks French, English and Chinese. He had invested in and created his own bar but was eventually forced to close by the authorities. He became too successful too close to other bars operated by locals with good connections. He now manages another successful bar across town where a Filipino band plays.
Avi, an Australian, who has a firm command of the local language and an engaging personality, generated a deal of fame during the period he had his own television show. "I like it here," he says.
David Puckett, from the USA, opened his own English language school in 2000 and now employs several other English teachers.
Xavier and Nicola Lynch with their four children from New Zealand have been here for several years. Xavier works as a kindergarten teacher and shares his Christian faith in English with a growing network of Chinese friends.
There are, by some estimates, about around a thousand or more people from other lands living and working or studying in Changchun. The number includes the German community connected to the Volkswagen joint venture, British engineers, backpackers, teachers, students and businesspeople from other Asian nations, Africa, North America, Europe, Australasia and others.
Work and business visas can be obtained on your behalf by one of the companies or government offices authorised to do so.
It is becoming more difficult to transfer a visitor's permit into a renewable residence and work permit.
The official Jilin Provincial Government web site can be found at http://www.jl.gov.cn and a quick letter to manager@TeamBridge.net or a visit to www.TeamBridge.net will put you in contact with the established foreign community, employment opportunities, guides and advice.
At least one independent USA based consulting firm offers a fee based service for businesses seeking to set up shop.
You could make Changchun your doorway into the northeast or into the rest of China.
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