Travel 4 - South East Asia (China)

Recently, I returned from a very long visit to South East Asia, specifically, China, Bangladesh, and Thailand.  Here, I shall write about the Chinese part.

After a very tiring 3-day series of flights from London (Ontario) via Los Angeles, and Hong Kong, to Kunming (Yunnan Province) I signed in to a comfortable youth hotel.

Headquarters of the Kuomintang before
they fled to Formosa (Taiwan) in 1945

Long May Youth Hotel, Kunming

Initially, I was met at the airport by a helpful old friend who thought that because it was only the afternoon, he should drive me around town to meet people ... after my sleepless time traveling across the ocean, that was the last thing that I needed, but it would have seemed very rude to explain.  Actually, once I was back at the hotel, it was evening and my tiredness had disappeared, so I took an evening stroll around Green Lake Park and my favorite Yunnan University campus.  Suddenly, it felt as if I had only been away for three weeks rather than the actual three years.

Cui Hu (Green Lake) Park

Unfortunately, most of my ex-students were unavailable for me to meet due to there being no means of communication put in place, but a few wonderful friends made contact.  Nevertheless, I was at a loss most of the time due to my very poor grasp of the Chinese language.

Car drivers were still dangerous ... they seem to adopt Buddhist practices, that is;  We have no wish to hurt you, and if we do, there is always the next peaceful life.

My visit coincided with a May Day parade.  It was extremely interesting because of an extraordinary number of minority groups in their colorful ethnic costumes, not to mention a noteworthy number of gays.

Yuan Tong Temple, Kunming

Later, my very good friend, Li Hua (Robert) invited me to join his family on a long drive to Fu Xian lake, the second deepest freshwater lake in China.  But I was disappointed to learn that the Chinese navy uses it for submarine experiments, and there are huge tourist resorts being built everywhere around it ... obviously without sufficient sewage controls.

After a few weeks, I was pleased to be able to fly to Dhaka, Bangladesh (The originally intended destination) meet my favorite ex-student, and begin work auditing the language faculty of a private university (To be explained in Part 2).

Quotation - "Education is an admirable thing ..."

Oscar Wilde

"Education is an admirable thing.  

But it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught."

Education 3 - Volunteer Teaching

I was recently introduced to a university in Bangladesh that was in need of a volunteer English language teacher.  But, after sending my resume, the reply stated that a PhD. was required, although a MA. English or MEd. with a TEFL certification, would be acceptable.

Naturally, I was very surprised, because in essence, additionally, they were saying that besides the academic qualifications, I would be required to pay my own travel costs (without reimbursement) and accept no salary.  If I were sarcastic, I would say that there must be hundreds of doctoral professors just queuing up to fill this post.

I feel it necessary to amplify my reason for surprise with a couple of examples.  I have devoted my life to an aerospace-related career, culminating in the writing of a user guidebook that, today, resides in the library onboard the International Space Station ... and a PhD. was not required to do that.  Recently, I returned from spending many productive years in China, successfully teaching English students from junior to postgraduate levels ... and a PhD. was not required to do that.  Maybe I should add, that I judge my teaching success from the number of Chinese students who still write to me asking me about a return visit.

Concerned about this, I searched the Internet for similar opportunities, and discovered to my additional surprise that, previously, I was simply experiencing the tip of an iceberg.  It seems, generally, in order to volunteer for posts overseas one must associate with one of the many NGO’s in this business.  These NGO’s, although accepting of my lowly BA. degree, not only require that one pays for the airfare, but also  between $500 and $1,500 per month for the “privilege” (actual quote) of teaching at the colleges.  No doubt, it must be a privilege to live and work in a country with a 5-month monsoon season, a mosquito-infested environment, deep mud for roads, no safe drinking water, and electricity blackouts every day.  I suggest that there should be a serious investigation of the definition for the term ‘non-profit’.

I guess that there is nothing like the feeling of a teacher scorned.

Postscript - Since writing the above, I have been invited as a Visiting Fellow to another university in Bangladesh, in May, with more suitable conditions.  You may expect to read a blog with exciting details in the autumn of this year.

Travel 3 - Medical Insurance

Were you properly insured during your last overseas vacation?

A piece of investigative journalism, by CBC’s programme, ‘Market Place’, recently focussed on some much ignored facts regarding medical insurance related to overseas travel.

Firstly, the programme interviewed some victims who had their claims rejected by the insurance companies, thus, subjecting them to huge hospital bills ... one bill as high as $346,000.00.  In this case, the victim (I use that word advisedly) required multiple-bypass surgery, which was covered by the policy but, when the company checked with his doctor, it was revealed that he had previously had some gastrointestinal tests which he did not disclose — the fact that these tests were, in no way related to his heart condition, was considered irrelevant ... in other words, he had lied on the application, a totally unjust accusation. Obviously, these retired people have, now, had their lives ruined by so much debt.

The case for the insurance companies is that applicants are filling in the forms incorrectly but, as Susan Ang of the advocacy group CARP expressed, the complicated application forms require the knowledge of both a medical doctor and a lawyer to interpret them ... and there is no accountability.  In addition, a persons actual knowledge of their medical record may not be identical to the doctor’s file.

Additionally, the programme used hidden cameras to visit four different, well-known, travel agencies (Carlson Wagonlit, Marlin Travel, Thomas Cook), and all (except FlightCentre) gave incorrect advice to customers which, if claims had been made, could have resulted in huge bills.  The only advice that should be given by a travel agent is, “We are not medical professionals, please consult with your doctor”.

I recently visited my GP and discussed the subject with him.  He seemed unaware of the CBC programme, and seemed too quick to blame the patient for incorrectly filling in the insurance form and, then, with a smile on his face said, “Of course, [the court case] is no longer a medical problem, but a legal problem.”  Then, he went on to say, “The insurance companies do this all the time with impunity.”  I was far from impressed with his virtuous attitude.  Not to mention the 80-minute delay with my appointment ... that lasted five minutes.

Should you consult with your doctor?

P.S.;  It will be of additional interest that I have now been given my travel insurance policy by the 21st Century insurance company, and was amazed to discover the following warning attached,  "You must contact the Assistance Centre before receiving treatment.  Failure to do so will limit liability to 75% of eligible expenses."  I really pray that I maintain consciousness, following my first heart attack emergency, long enough to delay the surgeon's enthusiasm to start the life-saving procedure.

Quotation - "You yourself, as much as anybody ....

Siddartha Gautama (Buddha)

"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe,

 deserve your love and affection."