Job Discussion Forums

fiveeagles · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 51 Location: Jeonju, South Korea

We are currently in Jeju, South Korea and are having problems my visa here. We are looking at coming to Taiwan to see if it is better. If it is, then stay in Taiwan, if not come back to Jeju.

My wife has three years of NA university, enough for an associates degree, but not the Australian standard of four years. I have read different info on this. One job description was a diploma. Can she legally teach here with a diploma?

Also, if she can't. Can she come to Taiwan with me and live, while I work?

Lastly, I don't want to live in Taipei. Are there nice costal cities with good surfing and scuba diving to live in? Is Kenting nice?

Thanks,
A

773 · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 213

Hi there,

Kenting is nice, good surfing and snorkelling, but unfortunately, there are very few (if any) teaching positions available there...however, Pingtung and Kaohsiung are about a two hour drive from Kenting and jobs are plentiful in those places (especially Kaohsiung). Taidung is a coastal area where people often surf, I believe there may be language schools there as well.

I believe that your wife could only get a work permit with an Associates Degree if she also has a TEFL certification. If you are able to get a work permit, though (with a BSc or Associates + TEFL) thyen she could stay here under your work permit. I know of many couples who do this.

Good luck!

fiveeagles · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 51 Location: Jeonju, South Korea

Thanks! That is helpful information.

What is Kaoshiung like? What kind of city is like? Would you know anything about the Christian community in the area?

773 · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 213

Kaohsiung is a big, crowded, polluted city with insane drivers!!!...but there are some good western venues and it's close to Kenting and other nice places. If you buy a scooter or car, you can zip down to these places at the weekends and get away from the bustle of the city.

I live in Pingtung, which is about an hour drive from Kaohsiung. Sometimes my husband and I go for a day/night out there...there are good movie theaters, restaurants, pubs, etc. They also have a Costco's (American bulk supermarket), B&Q (hardware store), etc. so we do a lot of our shopping there. English is more widely spoken there than where we live, too. We like where we live though (Pingtung), because it's not as busy or polluted, and easy to go on long bike rides in our area. It's more difficult to do that in Kaohsiung.

There is a big foreign Christian community in Kaohsiung and Pingtung, and a number of churches, some with English services that cater to Westerners and Filipinos, and anyone else who speaks English. There are bible study groups that a number of foreigners are involved with, too. I have never attended a service here, but I have many friends here that attend on a regular basis, so if you decide to come here let me know and I can get you in touch with them.

fiveeagles · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 51 Location: Jeonju, South Korea

Thanks for the great info!!!

Are the churches catholic or they charismatic? We tend to like a charismatic flare. This was our home church when we lived in Canada. www.freshfire.ca.

773 · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 213

Hi there,

I'm not sure what a charasmatic church is exactly, but the word itself kind of describes one of the churches I know of in Kaohsiung. Your link wasn't working so I'm not sure if its the same thing or not...

There are Catholic and non-denominational churches for sure, and a few other denominations. That's all I really know about it.

Take care!