Job Discussion Forums

JesseM · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 19

Hi, just a quick and very general question - i am hoping to go to Asia to work in the new year, but have still to decide on a country that has great people and will allow me to save a bit of money. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as i don't know where to start! (Oh, and bear in mind that i'm a 20-year-old female travelling alone!)

Thanks so much,
Jessica

Spinoza · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Saudi Arabia

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Indonesia is another candidate. I taught for a year in Jakarta, and managed to save $5500 US while living in modest comfort and travelling around on holidays.

JesseM · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 19

Thanks for the replies - i'm not too worried about qualifications, have a BA in English, TEFL cert and teaching experience. Was more interested in pay and people.
Cheers

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

You'll probably have difficulty saving in Thailand, but still have a good time. You can make more cash in Viet Nam, but you may find it a bit boring and difficult. The big money making countries in Asia are, as we all know, Korea and Taiwan, but both of those places seem to come with their own special challenges. Then there's Japan and China which don't seem to pay a lot, at least not in relation to the cost of living in the case of Japan.

Check the individual forums on this discussion board and The Job Information Journal [see link at top of this page] for an abundance of opinions.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

As on your other thread:

Go for JET.

Seth · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 575 Location: in exile

Average wage in China is around 5000 yuan a month, which is around $625 US. Most schools provide housing and food and a modest airfare refund. Living frugally yet comfortably in China I'm sure you can save at least $450 US a month.

However, there's less security in China. Still a fairly safe country, but not as much as Japan or Korea. Some shifty employers and it's a developing country. You need to have a more adventurous spirit in China.