Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

Currently in the process of organizing therapy groups for depressed and frustrated foreign teachers teaching in Taiwan. Many of the teachers are recently arrived, but others have been here for a while, and realize that there are many aspects of living here which are far from desirable.

The purpose of the therapy groups will be for individuals to get together, talk about their problems, and try to find solutions to their problems.

The plan is to set up groups in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung.

Some of the frustrations that foreign teachers mention on a regular basis include the following.

1. Culture shock, compounded by a very difficult language (Chinese) which takes years to learn in the best case scenarios.

2. Communication problems with locals outside the school setting, which can make it very frustrating for foreigners to get anything done, even something simple, like setting up a land line telephone in their place of residence.

3. General apathy and disinterest exhibited by many Taiwanese students, many of whom are 'forced' by their parents to study the language. This means many of the students are apathetic, bored and dull in class. Some of the students sleep, others act up and chat to other students in Chinese, which complicates the task of the foreign teacher.

4. Feeling of isolation vis a vis the citizens of Taiwan, who are, in their large majority, decent-inoffensive people, but who usually show very little interest in foreigners, and this, of course, is not only restricted to Taiwan, but most parts of South East Asia as well (with the exception of the Philippines). This means that most foreigners in Taiwan are basically ignored when they are out and about, and many find this to be disturbing, as indifference toward one is the worst thing that can happen to us.

5. Numerous frustrations on a daily basis, such as commuting to work in dangerous conditions, usually using scooters. Many foreigners have trouble comprehending the blatant disregard for elementary rules of traffic exhibited by the majority of Taiwanese.

6. Other annoyances include the climate (hot and humid and then rainy in winter) which can tax even the strongest teachers.

Many teachers find solace in 'drowning' their sorrows in the ubiquitous watering holes commonly found - but this is not for everyone, and those foreigners who are less social, and who do not join in those kinds of events will possibly find comfort in the company of others who find Taiwan to be not quite what they thought it would be.

Many foreigners find the monetary compensation to be decent, but the quality of life leaves a lot to be desired, and many do not stay as long as originally intended.

Those individuals wishing to meet others with the above problems in mind, please feel free to P.M. me, mentioning your location, and whether you desire to meet others in the same location area.

Once contact groups are established, regular meetings will be held.

[Pop Fly]

Now that's some good stuff. Certain posters can learn alot from your altruism. I applaud your efforts.

Happy days.

[teacha]

[Serious_Fun]

I assumed that some people used these newsgroups / bulletin boards as a form of therapy....perhaps Ghost felt much better after posting?

It certainly is a worthwhile venture - at the very least a forum where educators can socialize will dispel some of the gloom...personal interaction is the surest way out of depression in my opinion.

Re: using online forums as a means of therapy, or CAT (computer assisted therapy) :

Does this blow a hole in Erik Erikson's sixth "Stage of Human Development" (Intimacy vs. Isolation) ?

I mean, we are physically isolated from each other (I am in the Pacific Northwest of the US) but we are connecting and perhaps even feeling a certain intimacy with regular posters to this forum.

...something that I've been mulling for some time, being a nerd and a Developmental Psych major and all of that...

BTW- I was joking about the acronym "CAT", but the use of online therapy is growing.

[Pop Fly]

[Serious_Fun]

??

[Greenislander]

Great stuff, I'm here in Taipei and can relate to the post!

[ramakentesh]

I thought we were the only ones! Phew - I thought that it was because my accent is 'too dangerous' or 'too british' (I'm Australian - so is my wife who has a 'perfect' accent (which is also Australian))
We have only just started working and really it aint easy to think about what you left behind to come here for a 'cultural experience'...
We had some 'interesting' experiences when we first arrived with interviews from hell, but eventually we were lucky to find some work - although not the amount of hours that we will need to sustain us - and some non-teaching work that may pan out.

[Finn76]

Jeeze! I thought I was just having a run of badluck with comments like "YOU nee-how, no jy-jen ! You nee-how!". And the stick thrown to the head was a highlight... and the scooter jamming incident...I will definately sign up. I am keen to learn some positives about the culture too however.