[KSU2HK]

Hi,
We will be in Hong Kong for only one academic year from the States due to the grant we received. We may not have choice but to live by Lingnan Univ. from late August. I have a few questions here:

1. Cell phone - our current cell phone don't have GPRS. Should we just rent the cell phones in HK for a year? what is the best option for long term?

2. My kids will be entering K6 and K4, but I didn't find any international schools in Tuen Men area. I think the ESF in ShaTin is the closest. Are there any other good schools near Tuen Men? How much time do you think the kids have to spend on train/bus each day?

3. We emailed ESF and, they said we can't register the kids unless we are there? Since we won't be there till late Aug., is there a way to get around it?

4. I am fluent with both mandarian and English and would like to find a part time job in IT area, do you think I should not tell the potential employer my short-term stay or it is very common in HK?

5. Will I be able to work with a dependent visa? or do I have a find a job that would apply permit for me? Any site focused on part-time jobs?

Thank you for your assistance in advance.
Wendy

[KnowItAll]

>> Cell phone

They're available for US$30-40. Just buy one. I think the term you're looking for is GSM and not GPRS.

>> do you think I should not tell the potential employer my short-term stay

Depends on your ethical standards.

>> Will I be able to work with a dependent visa

Nope. You may be able to tutor English or Mandarin on a cash basis though. We'd seen a good site called bigenglish.com (never dealt with them or don't know much about them) which allowed people to hire teachers online.

I'll leave the rest of the questions to people more familiar with ESF than myself

[KSU2HK]

Thank you KnowItAll, can anyone anwer #2 and #3 about schools?
Also do most parents let the kids take public transportantion to school or how the arrangement is made?
================

# 2. My kids will be entering K6 and K4, but I didn't find any international schools in Tuen Men area. I think the ESF in ShaTin is the closest. Are there any other good schools near Tuen Men? How much time do you think the kids have to spend on train/bus each day?

# 3. We emailed ESF and, they said we can't register the kids unless we are there? Since we won't be there till late Aug., is there a way to get around it?

[Max]

KSU2HK,

try looking at this link:

http://www.esf.edu.hk/index.html

hope this helps.

[hksnoopy]

People need to wait at least 3 years for the interview to enter ESF p2 and above grade. I don't think you will have chance next year.
There is one school called Giga Mind in Tin Shui Wai. It takes you 30 mins by bus from Tuen Mun (10 mins driving).