Job Discussion Forums

[gsmith68]

Hi all,

This is directed primarily to those who have taught in more than one of these places. First, let me introduce myself. I'm a 44 y.o. male from the U.S. I have a TESOL certificate and a Master's Degree in English Lit. My primary purpose in going abroad is to make as much money as I can for a couple years. No, that's not my ONLY motivation, but it's crucial. Where in Asia are the best opportunities for making and saving money now? I also have two cats, and they are coming with me, because otherwise I will have to give them away and I am not going to do this unless I am on the verge of homelessness. I realize some schools may refuse me on the basis of my cats, or provide lodgings that are too small to be workable. I will need an apartment not smaller than 37 square meters (400 square feet), because anything smaller is unworkable for three sentient beings to live in. I've heard some of the apartments in Japan are incredibly tiny -- 12 foot square rooms. This will not work for me. I'd rather live with roommates than endure living in such a cell, although roommates are not my first choice either.

My sense is that Korea is the hot place to make money now, even more than Japan. Is this true? Please give me the rundown on the relative advantages, vis a vis cost of living, housing, salary, decent schools, job opportunities, etc. I'd like to start by Feb. or March, and I want to be hired before I leave.

[Glenski]

All I can say is...leave your cats at home. Read the following info to see why (regarding Japan, anyway). If you really love them, you'll not subject them to overseas travel and the subsequent hassles.

http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/english/
http://workabroad.monster.com/articles/bringingfido/

BTW, the schools in Japan will not refuse you on the basis of pets. Landlords will, even if you are Japanese.

And, think of what you have written. You insist on bringing pets PLUS you insist on roommates sharing space with them. C'mon. You are just asking for trouble and limiting the opportunities where you can live.

I suggest you go to the Korea forum to see what a horrible place that is. There are more unscrupulous school managers that you can swing a..... ummm..... cat at. (apologies)

Just a question... how much money are you hoping to make in a couple of years? In Japan, figure on an average of US$500 a month (barring any outstanding debts you must pay at home).

Lastly, if you want to compare Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, read this. It is a little outdated and not entirely accurate, but it is fairly well rounded by someone with experience.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/

[sigmoid]

[Ladybug]

Hello all....
I am a "veteran" of the Korean ESL scene (two years straight) and am currently thinking of going home for a bit, and then possibly either returning to Korea (but this time Seoul) or heading off to another country altogether, either China or Japan or somewhere else. Ideally, I would love Europe, but know all about the flaming hoops I might have to jump through to get that.
If I lived in Japan, how would it differ from Korea, and if I lived in China, or Hong Kong, how would life be different there? My main thing is I love working here cause I can pay my bills off fairly well and not live as a pauper, and feel if I lived anywhere else, it would be like living at home (can't go out all the time, can't buy this, make an overpayment of a bill, eat ramen for three weeks) but I really want a scenery change. Of course, am planning on visiting my dad in the deep south once my contract is up...that may be all the change I will need to hop back on a plane to Seoul pronto.
But does anyone have any suggestions as to where I should look?
Thanks

[khmerhit]

Yup. Kampuchea.

[daily chai]

My housemate imported his two cats, and it went well. We live iwth them and I personally love them. It was a selling point for this house, actually--but that is for a cat lover. People who love cats are everywhere, but so are those who are allergic. If you are committed to bringing your cats you can do so.

One thing to mention is the cats had to be in quarantine before entry. Taiwan's quarantine area limited the 3-week period to one visit because they are understaffed. One cat changed drastically in personality, from a spritely being to a cowardly lion. He is terrified, and acts like an abused animal. I doubt if they abused him (if they're understaffed, then who would have the time to abuse the animals after work is done?), but the experience changed him. He is afraid of strangers, but still a loving cat once he gets to know you. He is also afraid of sudden noises and such--pretty much a feline post-traumatic stress disorder patient. You cats may or may not have similar reactions. This cat has remained changed for 2 years, so it's not likely he will go back to normal.

Having said that, I left behind my cat my first year abroad and she died of heartbreak within months; although I left her with a cat-loving friend. I did not know, because she rapidly deteriorated while I was incommunicado on a trek. In all, I think it would have been better for her to go through quarantine with the risk of a personality change than for her to die of heartbreak; and better for me too. I still regret her needless loss. Make a decision you can live with. If your cats are a priority, then make an informed decision and go with them.

[surrealia]

You can find some very useful reading about teaching in Korea and Japan at:

http://www.geocities.com/allhou/korea.htm

and

http://www.geocities.com/allhou/japan.htm

[WorkingVaca]

I�ve worked in Thailand and Taiwan. I agree with the others about the cats. Find them another home before you leave for Asia.

If money is a "crucial" motivation that I�d strongly advise you to forget all about Thailand. Cross it off your list. You would only make about $400USD per month there, with ONE job. Maybe $600-800USD with TWO jobs.

In Taiwan, in Taipei anyway, you can make anywhere from $1,000USD-$3,000USD per month depending on how much you want to work. Considering that you�re open to having roommates, you�ll be able to save AT LEAST half your income, probably more. I know people saving $1500-2000USD a month. Me, I save about $800-$1,000. It also depends on how you keep yourself entertained.

I have a few friends here that also worked in Korea. They said the money in Korea was better, but the lifestyle was more difficult. But I can�t speak from firsthand experience on Korea.

In Taipei you�ll have big city comforts like public transportation and choices in international food (although anything NON-Asian tends to suck, e.g. TGI Friday�s, Hooters, Chili�s). There�s a lot of delicious Chinese and Taiwanese food (although you must learn how to discriminate), traditional markets as well as supermarkets, shopping malls as well as night markets and sidewalk vendors, pubs catering to foreigners as well as local hangouts, etc. However, Taipei, as hard as it tries, is NOT a cosmopolitan city like Hong Kong. You might find it disappointingly parochial at times and will have to remind yourself how much money you�re saving to make it worth living here.

[WorkingVaca]

Here are some quotes from the "Taiwan" forum comparing Taiwan to South Korea: