Job Discussion Forums

[A.K.A.T.D.N.]

Hey everyone, this is newbie new, the guy coming to Taiwan. I need your advice, people, so listen to me if you can.

Got a job in Taipei, coming in August. Want to know a few things. Here goes.

SARS? Anyone, anyplace, as of lately?

NT65,000-In US dollars, how much is this? Can't find an exchange rate where I'm at, the dummy I am.

A place to live-Oh, gosh, I know this one's old but. . .I NEEDS TO KNOW where I can live comfortably in Taipei, or. . .well. . .outside Taipei.

SMOG!!!-Yikes, is it really as bad as that? I mean, will it kill an asthmatic like me? I'm only a little asthmatic but. . .oh well, I just want to get a realistic viewpoint.

Well, my main concern is money. How much could a guy save per month on a salary like mine? How much do you need to get started, your own pad, make ends meet per month?

Hey, by the way, is Beckerson over there? I thought they caught that guy smuggling drugs in Thailand. Just goes to show, what comes around sticks around.

[sypanda5]

for the current exchange rate, check out: http://www.xe.com/ucc/

allergies/smog. i have pretty bad allergies and mild asthma and when i was living in tpe, it was not-so-bad. there are the occasional bad days..but..you have that anywhere.

polllution....it is pretty bad, but you learn to get used to it! haha! when you blow your nose, it may be black, but...hey...you're still alive!

SARS...it was CRAZY when it was bad..but.....nothing to worry about now. Just be clean and hygenic and you'll be fine!

money saved? depends (OBVIOUSLY) on you..and your lifestyle. if you made $65,000/month, your rent could be anywhere from a few thousand to let's say $15,000...food is super cheap, transportation is cheap...so you do the math...
when i was there, i think i saved about $15000cdn in two years?! (and i ate out everyday...went out all the time....)

if you do privates or have a cheaper rent, you can save more money!

hope that helps.....

[A.K.A.T.D.N.]

Hey thanks. I just want to know, how much are you raking in doing extras, or privates? Are the schools really strict on not doing privates? It says in my contract not to teach outside the school, but I'm here to make some bucks.

You said the air is pretty dirty, you had asthma. What'd you take for your asthma to get you by during the hard times? Is this pollution industrial or is it from car exhaust?

Anyway, thanks again.

[A.K.A.T.D.N.]

[Aristotle]

Please read this and email me any questions you might have.
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Good luck,
A.
Oh did I mention it is hot?

[Danny]

Which recruiter are you going through? Most are bad news but you never know until it is too late. Check the contract details. If it says anything about bond money taken out of your salary (even if it is "returned"), then forget it. If it says anything about with-holding your salary for any reason, then forget it. You will probably be given another different contract to sign in Taiwan. Don't leave your passport or degree at the agency, they use these things against you. Be careful out there. I know of at least one agency advertising here on dave's esl cafe which is dodgy.

As far as accomodation is concerned. You can get good, reasonable single rooms in a couple of the youth hostels in Taipei. Some teachers end up living in these hostels.
D.

[EngineergoesESL]

I found a page on Joy's website that lists average costs around Taiwan versus salary (at a chain at least) so you can estimate savings.

http://eng.joy.com.tw/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1

I hope this is helpful/accurate.

Josh