Job Discussion Forums

[dogboy]

Ok, here's my question. I am a 34 year old male that returned from Japan about 6 months ago. I spent 3 years in a small city in Japan with the JET Program. Now I am back in New York and considering heading back to Asia to teach again. I find that I am missing life in Asia tremendously.
While I was in Japan, I enjoyed my time (for the most part). The biggest problem I had was the small size of the city where I was living. I am from New York City and very much a city person. I like the fast pace, mobs of people, and choices for public transportation.
I have a degree in education, along with my 3 years experience with JET, but am not CELTA or TESOL certified.
My questionis how does Korea compare to Taiwan. More Specifically, I would be interested in going to Seoul or Taipei as when I was in Japan, I was missing big city life the most.
I'm not really interested in the debate of where I can make more money. I have read all the debates about this, and have already formed my own opinions. So, I do not need to know about the money issues. What I am looking for is some insight into culture, jobs, working environment, fun, entertainment, lifestyle, ect. I have a degree in high school education, and that is what I am most interested in. Younger kids just don't work out for me as well.
Any information that anyone can give me, would be greatly appreciated. Especially if you have lived and taught in 2 or more of the 3 locations. I'm looking for advice from people with first hand experience.
Thanks for any information that you can toss my way.
Cheers.

[Fortigurn]

Did you read this?

[Aristotle]

The only distinct differences for foreign TESOL teachers, between Korea and Taiwan are that Korea has distinctly better benefits and Taiwan has a warmer climate.
They are of course different countries with different cultures but are comparable in nearly every other regard.
Good luck,
A.

[TaoyuanSteve]

I would dispute the better benefits claim. My friend has lived in Korea for four years. The school provided appartment makes you more beholden to your employer. My friend admires the fact that I have my own appartment, in my own name, separate from my employer. In Korea it is much more difficult to rent a place separate from your employer because of the key money requirement for renting in Korea (Japan also?). Korea fronts you airfare. That's good. However, my first employer here reimbursed my airfare cost after completion of my first contract. Pay is pretty good over there, as is cost of living. Pay is also good here and cost of living is also low. However, racism and antiforeigner attitudes are getting out of control in Korea. My friend is coming here after four years in Korea because he has been attacked several times and no longer feels safe.

[Aristotle]

[TaoyuanSteve]

Don't want to say this is a paradise, by any means. However, there isn't a problem of random violence targeting foreigners here; at least there isn't to the degree there is in Korea, especially recently.

[Ilanian]

Come to Taiwan. That's my vote. Been to all three, Korea (two years) (that's because my hair thinned), Japan (one year) (That's because I had no clue what was going on most of the time), Taiwan (seven years) (that's because my hair came back) stayed in Taiwan.

[Fortigurn]

[mr.bojangles]

happy to hear your hair came back!

[Travel Zen]

[Aristotle]

[nasigoreng]

After 2 years in Taiwan, I found S.Korea to be a breath of fresh air. Better environment. Better services to help foreign workers with disputes over employers. More scenery... Taiwan has the scenery too.... but there are just mobs of yelling,screaming,spitting chinese everywhere you go.

There is a lot more English services to help out foreigners like the free translation service in Taxi's (i've never used it, but It's a great idea), english assistance at Bus Terminals. Lots of brochures about the sights of korea in English and instructions on how to get there.

the one time i tried to follow a Taiwan tourist brochure i spent 2 hours looking for a tourism office in Downtown Kaoshiung. No one had a clue where it was and after arriving at the address, turns out the office didn't even exist after all.

For me, it's the people i meet and work with that make my time enjoyable or disappointing. if I had the same friends now when i lived in Taiwan..... I would probably consider Taiwan better.

[wood]

I lived in Korea for three-plus years. It was great.

I lived in Japan for three-plus years. It was great.

I've been in Taiwan for nearly five years. Pretty
much, it's been great.

You've gotta do a thorough assessment about what
you're giving up and consider, seriously, what you are
getting. No matter where you go, you can't really
go wrong.

All the places are good choices. Which place
interests you the most? Are you going to study the
language? In that case, Korea (deceptively) might be
the best choice.

[buddy bradley]

If you're low on cash, Korea has the cheapest start-up costs.

[wood]