Job Discussion Forums

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

Loyal? Well we just have agreements where staff can take 12 months off unpaid - i think that's pretty standard especially if its a government department.
The first time though I actually applied for the job before I left for Beijing - I had to return to take it that time.

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

America isn't like that AT ALL ! You can't leave and come back to a job! It's unheard of. That's loyalty you got yonder!

Horizontal Hero · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:42 am Post subject:

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

what and the working conditions in taiwan are better?

Horizontal Hero · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:53 am Post subject:

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Having worked in both Taiwan and China I would say that schools in Taiwan are almost all better than China.

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

In what way?
because they pay better? What would you prefer? An employer that realises that they can replace you in the blink of an eye and cant miss any opportunity to remind you? AN employer that basically dislikes you?
Or an employer that doesnt pay that well and doesnt have that great resources, but who puts you in a position of responsibility not only to the school but the community - who trusts you and treats you with respect?
My experience in Beijing was profoundly better than my experience here.

gregoryfromcali · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 4:20 pm Post subject:

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

saloma · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 211

Taipei VS Shanghai

Shanghai is a big modern city, much like Taipei, BUT

1. I think Taipei is dirtier than Shanghai. I find Shanghai to be pretty clean, but at the same time a little "sterile". In places it seems just like Europe, (french concession, the Bund). Taipei has those gotty night-markets I love so much....

2.On the same note, Shanghai has very little Chinese culture to show. A few temples, and the Disneyfied Wu Gardens hardly compare to the temples, nightmarkets, and festivals Taiwan boasts.

3. Shanghai is far more multi-cultural. I'm surprised by the Uigurs from the north cooking up satays on the street corners, the large expat population from Europe and the widespread availability middle eastern cuisine. Taiwan is full of Hakka and North Americans.

4. I think people in Taipei are generally happier, friendlier, more open-minded, more wordly and less racist than people in Shanghai. Obviously the Taiwanese are big travellers, so they know more about the world.

5. Shanghai is buzzing with change. It has a really fantastic nightlife going on and there are opportunities for foreigners beyond teaching English. Even so, as already stated, the wages don't really compare.

6. Lastly, I have never seen people argue in Taiwan like they do in Shanghai. Large groups gather in the street to watch two people scream at each other, over the price of fish, a fender-bender or just who has the right of way. I've never seen anything remotely like it in Taiwan. Not even taxi drivers! Laughing

Tough choice - I think if you are really interested in Chinese culture, making money, or settling down - Taiwan would be the way to go. If you were into advancing your career into somesort of Asian diplomacy/business, you should consider Shanghai.

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

Beijing

gregoryfromcali · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 1:41 pm Post subject:

After thinking about this some more, between Shanghai and Taipei, for me it came down to the school.

In Taipei it seems that 6 days a week and split shift are relatively normal.

I just couldn't find a school that was willing to honor my desire to have my evenings and weekends free.

My main reason for being in Asia is to study martial arts. But if I'm teaching 30 hours a week then how could I progress or even find the time to practice not to mention learning Chinese.

But in Shanghai I was lucky enough to find a school that gives their teachers a whole weekend off and not split shifts and on top of that provides us beautiful apartments.

Therefore after I buy my groceries the rest of my money is mine.

I think if anyone is trying to decide between these two cities then one of the most important things to factor in is the school as they're both interesting cities and both fasincating places to spend a year.

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

'Most of my friends and myself are in stable relationships, own a home, have a car and a scooter, and money in the bank. They have friends, can afford to travel, and entertain, and just basically have a life. '

Money isnt everything, but I think its the attraction for Taiwan for a lot of people. I think a lot of people have the preconception that they can come to Taiwan and get paid huge amounts of money, when in reality they can save as much money at home doing a job where they would - with the exception perhaps of the US have far better conditions.

From my close friend's experience they have been able to save far more money in Korea than I have here (although Ive been boozing I do admit - but its hard when every friend you makes likes to drink Smile

). They get free accommodation, airfare and they get better hours - less broken hours.
If you were here for long enough to be established maybe you can save a lot (i met one chick who did, but she had to work 50 hours a week and Id rather not) - but Taiwan isnt as expensive as other asian countries.

But as far as cultural experiences go Im sorry, but I havent found Taiwan to be that interesting - it reminds me more of Malaysia but without the interesting merge of cultures and religious ideals.

Its progressive in some ways, but not as modern as places like Singapore and Hong Kong and when compared to Beijing for chinese culture then its found wanting.

Much of China is pretty polluted - and your quite right that because of the size of the place teachers can find themselves the only westerner for 200 kms, but the hours are pretty reasonable and for mine your treated far better.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 229 Location: Kyuushuu, Japan

Having lived in several places in China, I have somewhat of an ambivalent feelings towards Shanghai.

On the one hand, it's refreshing not having everyone stare at you all the time as is common in almost all the rest of China. Not to mentioned, the spontaneous "hello" is much less common (I'm referring to the obnoxious kind, such as the "drive-by hello" or the "to-your-back-after-you've walked-50 meters-past-them-hello". Of course, the amenities are far greater than most other cities as well, but I've yet to kind stuff I really enjoy back home-such as a good Mexican restaurant (and yes, I've been to the Taco Bell and Taco Popo, that stuff isn't even close to authentic). Has an OK night life, but the metro closes really early in my opinion--10 pm.

The biggest drawback is Shanghai has that really impersonal feel to it that you commonly find in big cities. Shanghai people are labeled as arrogant by most other Chinese and with good reason. My first experience in China was in Shanxi, and the people there were the most helpful, hospitable people I'd ever met in my life. After coming to Shanghai it was a 180 degree turn. Not to say all Shanghai people are like this, I've met quite a few good friends there, but the average person is pretty aloof in my opinion.

Just to give an example of how most other Chinese feel about Shanghai people, consider the following. A Shanghai friend of mine goes to Hangzhou and doesn't even tell people she meets there she is from Shanghai, because Hangzhou people dispise "Shanghai ren" that much. That seems pretty amazing to me that you would lie about your home city out of fear of poor treatment!