Job Discussion Forums

Vash · Joined: 18 Sep 2003 Posts: 20

Hello!

I spent nearly two years teaching in a small rice village in Japan, and I was considering returning, perhaps to a larger city, when Taiwan started whispering in my ear.

I've only scanned a bit, but the general impression I've received is that while work conditions are a touch dodgier than Japan, if one wished to travel to Asia, armed only with a few dollars and the clothes on his back, you'd have a fighting chance in, say...Taipei.

I bring this up as I'd rather not sign a contract before I arrive, and a few thousand dollars would get eaten up remarkably quickly in Japan.

However, I'm given the impression that Taiwan is a little cheaper, accomodation is easier to find, and there are plenty of jobs ASAP. Also, and I could be wrong here, work visas seem easier to obtain. Or, at least, most job postings in Japan require you have one before applying...this does not seem to be an issue in Taiwan.

Sounds like an adventure.

So I put it to those who have experienced Taiwan for some input:

Can a Canadian, armed with his BA, a TEFL certificate, a few years experience in Japan, and a thousand or two dollars plunk himself in Taipei on a 60 day holiday Visa, find work, and ward off starvation long enough to save some money?

I appreciate any feedback offered.

Cheers!
Vash

(Incidentally, I'm prone to a little impulsive behaviour, from time to time. This is one of those times...so I'd probably want to head over within the next few weeks.)

jason_seeburn · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 399 Location: Toronto

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

Taiwan is not only an adventure, it is a challenge. Nothing is easy so nothing can be taken for granted. If you are lighthearted it may not be for you. Also note that the government of the ROC is openly and blatantly racist. If you are of a darker complexion things may be very difficult. Please don't let that dissuade you. Write about how Taiwan treats you and let your fellow country men and women see what Taiwan thinks of them.

Taipei is a good place for a newbie to start. Southern areas can work out better for the more experienced but not necessarily so for the uninitiated.
Get a multiple entry tourist visa for you first trip and if you find a good school go from there.
Landing visa's will also work but you have to leave the country every 30 days. You can take a midnight cruise for 2500 NT and do the landing visa thing for as long as you like. Multiple entry is best if you can get one. If you need more info contact me.
Good Luck
A.
[email protected]

Vash · Joined: 18 Sep 2003 Posts: 20

Thanks gentlemen,

I do appreciate the feedback.

I initially chose Taipei because, as Aristotle mentioned, previous posts suggested it was a good place for a newbie to land (I also have some distant contacts there). However...

I'm open to alternatives. James, where would you locate? You mentioned Kaoshiung for cheap rent, what other places would you recommend?

I suppose I should identify some of my goals. Money plays a large role, of course, but a little night life would be nice. I survived quite well in a rice village in Japan, and never really felt the need to hang out with other gaijins. In truth, I had a better time with my girlfriend and her friends. They were cute and funny, and I happily developed a Karaoke addiction.

On that note, I was received very well in Japan. But when I travelled to Korea for a short vacation, I couldn't help but feel a strange sort of hostility from the Korean men. Turned me off a little, but I could have been over-sensitive. Japan can do that to a person.

I take it that the Taiwanese are somewhere between the two extremes? Also, J-girls are remarkably...uhm...liberated. What are the T-girls like? The few I'm met seemed flirty, fun-loving, and tragically cute, but I have a small sample size, and they were filthy rich (tends to skew the values a bit). What have your experiences been?

I hope these question are OK, if anyone would care to weigh in...I'm all ears.

And I'll definitely drop you a line, Aristotle, thank-you.

Cheers!
Vash

(One of my first teachers, who had taught in Taiwan years back, mentioned that Taiwan, in comparison to other Asian countries, has a little bit a Wild West flavor. would you say this is correct?)

Vash · Joined: 18 Sep 2003 Posts: 20

James, where would you locate?

Oops, asked to soon, seems you like Taichung. But I get differing reports on the job market. Some say it's over run with foreigners, others say jobs are a plenty.

Whats's up?

jason_seeburn · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 399 Location: Toronto

alamuerte · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2003 6:35 pm Post subject: taiwan adventure

what's this about a medical and a police report?

Vash · Joined: 18 Sep 2003 Posts: 20

...Most are completely incompetent institutions run by people who cannot speak English and have no idea how to teach it, but are socially well connected and can fill classrooms with kids whose parents can well afford to make it worth your while to teach them. These little Bushibans are the best places to work. You make lots of money, do what you like, and are controlled by no one.

Hey James, thanks for the input...that doesn't sound half bad. Reading some of the past posts regarding Taiwan can be a bit depressing, but I remember meeting some pretty embittered teachers in Japan as well.

W a n k e r s . The women, alone, in Japan made it a paradise.

That said, I've found it best to assume the worst. So I'll probably be heading to Taiwan ready for battle.

Cheers!
Vash

(PS Thanks for the 18 year age-of-consent warning. I think in Japan it was 14, not that it was ever an issue. But I'm terrible at guessing the age of Asians...From 15-25 they sorta look the same, y'know?)

(PPS Gee...I can't believe "W a n k e r" was wanker-ed)

jason_seeburn · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 399 Location: Toronto

jason_seeburn · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 399 Location: Toronto

nomadder · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 10:09 pm Post subject:

So what you're saying is that in Taiwan they poke and prod you like some sort of alien specimen before they'll let you enter and then if you pass these tests, you get good money thrown at you to play with some rich kids and nobody cares what they learn as long as they stay at the school.

Vash · Joined: 18 Sep 2003 Posts: 20

So what you're saying is that in Taiwan they poke and prod you like some sort of alien specimen before they'll let you enter and then if you pass these tests, you get good money thrown at you to play with some rich kids and nobody cares what they learn as long as they stay at the school.

Sounds about right. Which, I might add, is infinitely preferrable to receiving poor money to not play with your kids, all the while under the scrutiny of someone who expects you to have their kid fluent in a week.

(Could do without the poking and prodding bit)

Mind you, I might have a sightly different take on this profession than some. In Japan, once I figured out what was going on, I performed my role exceptionally, and everyone was happy.

I think what causes a lot of people grief is projecting their values onto a specific environment. While I can appreciate the integrity involved with this, I personally believe it is a recipe for conflict and unhappiness.

But I could be wrong.

All the best,
Vash

jason_seeburn · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 399 Location: Toronto

Vash · Joined: 18 Sep 2003 Posts: 20

I'm impressed, it sounds very similiar to my experiences in rural Japan. For some reason, I had expected the Taiwanese to be less 'focused' on learning English than the Japanese.

(ie...similiar to what many appear to experience in Korea)

Provided expectations are not unreasonable, I much prefer the role of an English teacher to that of an English entertainer.

So...in Taiwan:

The jobs are relatively plentiful.
The living conditions are cheap.
Your students are, generally, sincere.
Money is good ($1000-$1500/month possible savings for a frugal, hard worker)
Visas are easy to obtain
You can ride your moped on the sidewalk.
And the girls are cute as anything under the sun.

It really doesn't sound like a bad place to work, provided your don't hook yourself up with an evil employer.

I think I'll start packing.

Cheers!
Vash

WorkingVaca · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 135

Taiwan is hardly an adventure and ceases to be a "challange" once you get past the ARC process. It's relatively easy to work and save a decent amount of money here. Also a good place to learn Mandarin if you're so inclined. And a good launching off point for visiting other places in Asia. Enjoy.