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Soph
Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 4 Location: U.K.
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Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:47 pm Post subject: Hostel help & visas from U.K. |
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Dear forum
I'm arriving in Taipei to find work teaching at the end of Feb. (24th) and want to book a hostel for my first few nights. If anyone has any recommendations or advice I would really appreciate it, esp. re. Amigo in Yonghe.
Also, for my visa, as far as I have found out it seems that I need the relevant forms, (which I suppose are only available from the Taipei rep. offices in Grosvernor gardens?) passport photos, flight itineraries (return) and proof of funds. Correct? Could another Brit who has done all this please just tell me if this is right? For my proof of funds I should have about �500 in my account when I leave to tide me over until my first pay day, and regarding this,
a) Will these be enough funds for them to grant me a 60day visitor visa?
and
b) Do you reckon �500 will be enough for budget acc./food/travel about 6 weeks in Taipei or am I being rather optimistic?!
If anyone can reassure me or advise me I'd be very grateful, and if you've got any other juicy little titbits of advice for a new arrival please feel free to pass them on!
Thank you,
Soph. |
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junkmail
Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:03 pm Post subject: Re: Hostel help & visas from U.K. |
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Soph wrote: |
Dear forum
b) Do you reckon �500 will be enough for budget acc./food/travel about 6 weeks in Taipei or am I being rather optimistic?!
If anyone can reassure me or advise me I'd be very grateful, and if you've got any other juicy little titbits of advice for a new arrival please feel free to pass them on!
Thank you,
Soph. |
500 pounds = $950USD.
It sounds low Soph. You might be able to do it but you'll be so desperate for your first job that you won't get much time to check anything out.
Maybe one of the regular Taiwan contributers can dive in here and suggest something about pre-arranged employment. If I were you, I'd save at least another 500 quid and let's face it, it's not that hard.
Do you live down South?
Anyway, good luck.
BTW most people think of exchange rates in USD (wherever there from)so it's better to quote in USD than pounds for a quick response. |
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Aristotle

Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan
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Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:50 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
BTW most people think of exchange rates in USD (wherever there from)so it's better to quote in USD than pounds for a quick response. |
I find that using NT gets a better response from people in Taiwan but US dollars are the accepted international monetary medium in developed countries.
�500 is about 30,000 NT. If you pinch your pennies you will be able to get by on that for a month. The job market outside of Taipei is a strange this year so better to start in Taipei until things clear up a bit.
Hostels are pretty much the same so find one that is close to an MRT station so you can get around more easily.
Hostels:
Here is a good place to start.
http://www.bootsnall.com/hostels/asia/tai/taip/
http://www.theglobalexplorer.com/taiwan/hostels/taipei.htm
Good luck and please read this,
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
A.
Last edited by Aristotle on Sun Feb 06, 2005 6:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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junkmail
Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377
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Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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Haha! Good point!  |
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Soph
Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 4 Location: U.K.
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Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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Thankyou,
I know that �500 is the bare minimum but its all I'll have and the flight's booked! It'll just have to be seriooous job hunting time when I get there...
One more question, if the school likes me and asks me to do a demo do you have to do it there and then or do they ask you to come back another time and do it so you can prepare? Basically, do I need to have demos prepared? How long should it last?
Thanks for your help,
Soph |
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TaoyuanSteve

Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan
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Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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On the subject of demos, don't take them too seriously. You probably can just do them then and there. A demo lasts about 10-20 minutes. With kids, they just want to see how you interact and handle yourself with the children. It's usually a good time to show off your ability to be fun and lively. You are usually given time to look over materials for your demo before you are asked to do it. I've never been rushed. You wil likely be able to take your time. Don't worry about demos excessively as a general rule. |
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Soph
Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 4 Location: U.K.
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 9:40 am Post subject: |
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Okey doke. Cheers. |
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