I lived in Hunan for about 3 years and I would suggest that if there is something that you want you ask for it up front, flights, health coverage, utilities paid, maximun amount of teaching hours, etc... Be polite, but firm in your requests. You may have to barter your way through your contract so start luxury and try and get to a middle ground. Also, don't be affraid to say no to anything at any time. For the first few months the school will try to see just how much they can get you to do for them. If you agree to judge a speech competition that lasts for 6 hours once, you will be asked and expected to do it every time. I learned that one the hard way. The same goes with Bai Jiu, you drink it once at a banquet you'll be expected to drink it at all of them. Anyway, Hunan is a really beautiful province once you get out of the cities. Explore it and if you are lucky enough to have students from the country side and they invite you to their homes for the weekend, deffinitly take them up on it. Those were some of the best trips I ever took out there. Well, good luck and have fun!!