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Any questions, I'll be happy to answer

 
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karelsvoboda



Joined: 20 Apr 2005
Posts: 4
PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 12:58 am    Post subject: Any questions, I'll be happy to answer Reply with quote
This is intended for prospective newcomers to Taiwan.

If you are considering coming to teach in Taiwan, feel free ask me some questions about jobs, accommodations or anything else you may want to know, I'll be happy to reply.

I've been in Taipei for over 2.5 years and still enjoy it. It's not always a breeze and Taiwan is not a utopia nor a gold mine but it's good fun.
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Wonder



Joined: 29 Jun 2003
Posts: 109
PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:18 am    Post subject: Re: Any questions, I'll be happy to answer Reply with quote
karelsvoboda wrote:

I've been in Taipei for over 2.5 years and still enjoy it. It's not always a breeze and Taiwan is not a utopia nor a gold mine but it's good fun.



You've been here for more than two years and just now have joined the message board?

Joined: 20 Apr 2005
Posts: 1

What exactly has spurred you to become the new information officer? I don't want to appear ungrateful, but wouldn't a few responses be in order before you start offering advice? Perhaps let us get to know you a little?

There is already a wealth of information on this and the Forumosa board, and I'm sure most newbies would love you to field a few of their quesitons. But your post is baffling. Why the delay?

Your post just looks odd to me. Sorry. Laughing
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clark.w.griswald



Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 4:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Welcome aboard.

I think that the more people who use this forum the better it will be, and the personal experiences that we each share are valuable. As we all know there are procedures and rules in place here in Taiwan, but that these procedures are not always followed in ways that we would expect them to be followed. Whilst I personally don�t place much value in opinions that tend to over generalize, I do think that the most valuable information we can all get is the personal experiences of people here in Taiwan. I am sure that in the time this new poster has been here, that he or she has encountered things that others will have questions about. The information that this person can offer is going to be potentially more valuable than any scaremongering that other users of this forum are know for.

As to the question as to why this person has not become involved sooner, well I don�t think that there is necessarily any meat in that question. I don�t recall being involved in any message board discussions about life in Taiwan for the first seven years that I was here. This does not mean that I didn�t have any experiences to offer. I don�t know why I started posting on these boards, but I do know that it has now become a habit for me, as I am sure it has become for many regulars.
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Wonder



Joined: 29 Jun 2003
Posts: 109
PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
clark.w.griswald wrote:


As to the question as to why this person has not become involved sooner, well I don�t think that there is necessarily any meat in that question. I don�t recall being involved in any message board discussions about life in Taiwan for the first seven years that I was here. This does not mean that I didn�t have any experiences to offer. I don�t know why I started posting on these boards, but I do know that it has now become a habit for me, as I am sure it has become for many regulars.


This is true. I suppose it just takes a little longer for some of us. And indeed all contibutions are welcome. Certainly did not intend to put off any new members with something to add! Wink
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matchstick_man



Joined: 21 May 2003
Posts: 244
Location: Taiwan
PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:41 am    Post subject: Re: Any questions, I'll be happy to answer Reply with quote
karelsvoboda wrote:


I've been in Taipei for over 2.5 years and still enjoy it. It's not always a breeze and Taiwan is not a utopia nor a gold mine but it's good fun.
Have you been out of Taipei?
There's far more to Taiwan than Taipei.
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karelsvoboda



Joined: 20 Apr 2005
Posts: 4
PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I didn't realize my motivation would be put under a microscope. Perhaps this is a right of passage everyone has to go through.

I know there are a lot of people who have lots of opinions, suggestions and advice to give. I think everyone has a different take on life in Taiwan and like clark said personal experiences are varied and can by valuable to some.

I have been out of Taipei, although not that much. I did a trip around the island and generally hover in northern taiwan.

I am just looking for more than teaching so that's one of the reasons I decided to get involved on the board.
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Pop Fly



Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 429
PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 2:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Welcome KS. Another voice in this semi-arid desert of a forum is always welcome.

karelsvoboda wrote:
I didn't realize my motivation would be put under a microscope. Perhaps this is a right of passage everyone has to go through.


You wanna see a microscope? Go post your same original post here. Within hours, you'll be so dissected, you may never come back. In these here parts, there are a few big fish with little in the way of fodder. Some are quick to leap at anything that swims thru. Keep your head up, back up your arguments with facts or anecdotes and keep a sense of humour and you'll be fine.


Go on, I dare ya. Twisted Evil
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Sheep-Goats



Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 527
PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 6:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
karelsvoboda wrote:
I didn't realize my motivation would be put under a microscope. Perhaps this is a right of passage everyone has to go through.


No, it's not. Someone just has their internet panties in a bunch today. I, for one, would prefer that people wait a couple of years before posting advice on the internet.

So here's a question for you: If I dig around online and come up with the personell numbers for government schools in Taipei and then give the schools a few cold calls am I going to be told to stuff it? Or greedily invited over for an interview? Or what?

And other than online, what are there some common sources for good jobs? In Thailand, for example, there aren't (aside from connections) because most of the schools advertising in the Bangkok Post are direly desperate for a teacher, usually for good reasons. And because ajarn.com has the jobs postings pretty much locked up.
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Incredible Ape



Joined: 10 Jun 2004
Posts: 118
Location: Witness Protection Programme
PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 10:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I second (third?) that. Totally agree with what you said about Forumosa. Wear flame retardent clothing if you put your head in that particular lion's mouth.
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