WKU FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
What medical facilities are available?
There are several comprehensive hospitals and dental hospitals in Wenzhou affiliated with Wenzhou Medical University. Wenzhou-Kean University maintains an on-site health clinic and pharmacy with Chinese doctors and nurses that speak English, for simple immediate care.
How easy and safe is it to travel around the area? Are buses, taxis or transportation provided by the University?
Shuttles are provided for employees to travel from their apartment to the campus. There is no additional cost for shuttle transportation. Other means of in-city transportation include taxis and buses. Shuttles operate standard routes in Wenzhou, including transportation from Xin Tian Yuan Government Subsidized Housing and Chashan Higher Education Town Houses.
Are there local schools for my child(ren) to attend?
We are working to create joint partnerships with local schools in Wenzhou for 1st through 12th grade education. Plans are underway to open a Kindergarten close to the University in the near future. Instruction will be in English and the Kindergarten program will provide curriculum, services and student support in a unique learning environment.
Which banks are available? How easy is it to access money (ATMs)?
Chinese banks are available such as Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, etc. There are no American banks. All branches or sub-branches as well as shopping malls have ATMs. Two ATMs are available on campus. Foreign credit cards can withdraw RMB from ATMs of Bank of China. Credit cards issued by Bank of America can withdraw RMB from ATMs of China Construction Bank, commission free. Foreign credit cards are not accepted in China, except at a few high-end department stores. Most small grocery stores accept only cash.
Do I need to open a Chinese bank account?
It is required for all employees to open a local bank account in Wenzhou due to China’s foreign exchange control policy and for reimbursement purposes. Employees will receive assistance in opening a bank account in China. Due to foreign exchange control in China, WKU is unable to wire money to foreign bank accounts.
What currency is accepted in China?
Renminbi (RMB) is the official currency of China. Prior to arrival, please be sure to exchange your money to RMB for immediate needs. Major currency can be exchanged and deposited when opening a Chinese bank account.
What bank account do I use for my direct deposit form?
All employees must provide the required banking information on their direct deposit form. Employees can choose one or two accounts for direct deposit. Many employees choose to complete the form with their current bank account information (for the bank account in their home country) and later provide information to change their deposit to a Chinese bank account when they open one in China. Please be advised there are payroll deadlines enforced each pay period to ensure the information is received for a timely deposit into a new account. For international bank accounts, employees must indicate their name exactly as it appears on the account, the name and address of the bank, the bank account number and the Swift code on the direct deposit form. Your salary will be deposited in US dollars, but you must convert the dollars into RMB yuan in order to use the money in China. Due to China’s foreign exchange control policies, a non-PRC citizen cannot convert foreign currencies into their account into Chinese currency via an online bank. Instead, they must go to the counter of the bank in person for foreign exchange transactions. Moreover, the maximum amount a non-PRC citizen may convert to RMB yuan is $50,000 USD per year. Some banks may have a daily maximum quota as well.
Do I need to bring cash?
New hires are required to pay a security deposit and will also need cash to buy groceries and to support daily living before their first paycheck. Please bring adequate cash already converted into RMB yuan to cover these expenses. Wenzhou-Kean does not extend credit or loans to employees.
What is a Fapiao and its purpose?
For purchase of goods or services in China or with a vendor registered in China, "Fapiaos" (invoices) are recognized as the only valid voucher for book-keeping purposes, pursuant to Chinese financial laws and regulations, with only a few exceptions. Fapiao is a kind of financial voucher with pre-determined and uniform format, printed and issued under the supervision of tax authorities. A Fapiao should bear the following information: name, quantity and price of each item purchased. In case a Fapiao does not have adequate room for the list of all commodities/services, a separate list of the purchase must be acquired, bearing a special stamp for Fapiao issuance. Inaccurate Fapiaos may compromise their validity for reimbursement. When purchasing goods or services in China during your relocation period to Wenzhou-Kean, it is highly recommended to obtain Fapiaos at the time of purchase for submission with relocation reimbursement paperwork to WKU.
Can I ship items to China?
Chinese Customs imposes a strict code on all imported goods. Shipped boxes and cartons have a high risk of getting stopped in Customs. Small packages or parcels from a U.S. post office can be shipped to a WKU campus address.
What meal plans and grocery options are available?
Various restaurants, convenience stores and shopping centers such as Century Mart, C&U, Wal-Mart, Householder, Real Life and Lotus Center are available around the Wenzhou area. For those who live in government subsidized housing, there is a supermarket and a convenience store within walking distance. A convenience store and meal plan options are available on campus. Employees can deposit money into their school card accounts and pay for meals with their cards.
Can I pay cash for meals on campus?
The University cafeteria does not accept cash, but every employee has an account on the campus card system. Employees can put money into their account to use for meals and groceries on campus.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Wi-Fi is free and available on campus.
Does WKU provide laptops?
WKU encourages the use of technology in the classroom and supports the use of a laptop computer for teaching and learning. All full-time faculty are issued a laptop at the beginning of their assignment. When a faculty member is provided with a laptop, he/she accepts responsibility for safeguarding the laptop itself as well as the data stored on the laptop. If a laptop is damaged, lost or stolen, the faculty member may be held responsible for assuming part or all of the cost of repair or replacement. The determination of responsibility will be made by WKU. At the end of the assignment, it is required that the laptop be returned since it is University property.
Can I purchase a cellular device in China?
Purchasing a Chinese cellular phone is not required but highly recommended. Telephone expenses are typically $6-$7 USD a month (about 36-42 RMB). WKU staff will assist with cellular phone purchases.
Do I receive sick days and vacation days?
Tenure-Track faculty earn twelve and one-half (12.5) sick days for ten (10) months of employment. Tenure-Track faculty do not receive vacation days. Unused sick days can be carried over into the next calendar year.
Ten (10) Month Lecturers earn two (2) vacation days [one for every five (5) months of employment] and twelve and one-half (12.5) sick days.
Twelve (12) Month Lecturers will earn one (1) vacation day for every month of employment, for a total of twelve (12) vacation days earned per year in their first year of contract and will earn one and one-quarter (1 and 1/4) vacation days for every month of employment, for a total of fifteen (15) vacation days earned per year in their second year of a contract. Twelve (12) Month Lecturers will also earn fifteen (15) sick days.
Managerial staff members earn fifteen (15) sick days and twenty-two (22) vacation days on a fiscal year basis, July 1st through June 30th. Managers receive prorated time for their first year based on hire date.
How is my salary paid?
Faculty are appointed for a ten-month period and payment is made on a ten-month schedule per State of New Jersey regulations. Extra deductions are taken to ensure continuous benefits coverage for the summer months.
Twelve-Month Lecturers and Managerial staff are paid on a twelve-month basis. All employees are paid bi-weekly every other Friday. Please be advised that there may be a delay with wire-transferred deposits.
Is there a dress-code?
All employees are expected to dress professionally in business casual attire.
Fast Facts about Wenzhou, China
-
Wenzhou is located in the southeast portion of the Zhejiang Province. It is positioned in the middle of the coastline, approximately 11,184.68 miles from the western bank of China’s circum-Pacific area. Wenzhou is the most populous city in Zhejiang Province with approximately 1,916,000 residents.
-
Wenzhou, China is located approximately: 288.69 miles from Shanghai; 567.31 miles from Hong Kong; and 1,000.93 miles from Beijing
-
“Wenzhou” means “a pleasant and mild land.” Wenzhou’s annual average temperature is about 17°C (62.6 °F). The humid subtropical climate results in short winters and long, hot, humid summers. Heavy rainfall occurs in late spring and early summer due to the plum rains.
-
City Flower: Camellia
-
City Tree: Banyan
-
Currency: Yuan (Renminbi)
-
Wenzhou Area Code: Internal dialing code is 0577 while the international telephone calling code is +0086-577.
-
Wenzhou is known for its handcraftsmanship especially pottery, paper-making, ship-building, silk, embroidery and lacquer etc.
-
Wenzhou is famed as the 'Clothes World' and 'Shoe City' in China.
-
Wenzhou exports food, tea, wine, jute, timber, paper, Alunite (a non-metallic mineral used to make alum and fertilizer). Alunite is abundant and Wenzhou claims to be the "Alunite Capital of the World".