Job Discussion Forums

JezzaYouBeauty!! · Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 86

I'm in Korea. I've done over two years here, and I have a CELTA.

I've always felt Taiwan would be a similar kind of thing, but a bit nicer - culture, atmosphere, people, scenery etc. I've also known nice Taiwanese, and the 'Lonely Planet Cities Book' says Taipei might be Asia's friendliest major city. etc.

As for Korea, some people here get horrible situations with bad directors, schools, apartments, location etc. Some do better. Some get the good college jobs..

Its all a bit different. I've always worked a for a decent school. These days though, the director isn't exactly a champion. Apartments have been good. But some teachers at my school don't have such good ones. Generally, I've always saved $2000 Australian a month. I'm not a spender. I'm just a simple, non-consumerist kind of person.

Work hours are easy, but these days getting worse, and working Saturdays is a bummer. I've always worked in relatively big, but rough-at-the-edges, gruff, conservative Daegu.

And now....my yearly after-tax salary at early 2007 exchange rates was a little more than $43,000 Australian, including end-of-contract bonus. The other benefits are free accomodation and airfares, of course.

But at exchange rates now, my yearly after-tax salary is just under $31,000 Australian. That's quite a hit.

So I'm starting to think about heading to a more soul-satisfying place. Maybe Taiwan, I dunno. But if the people, weather, scenery is a bit better...that's nice. If I could save some money, the work not too stressful, and the apartment decent enough. Then it could be an option.

To me, the Koreans just aren't the happiest, friendliest, most laid-back, most interesting, most open-minded kind of people. The cities just aren't the most beautiful or cosmopolitan kinds of cities. The people, food, culture just isn't the most attractive you could experience in this world. Call me snobby....but ahh, that's just it, IMO. And I'm fairly sure, the majority of people wouldn't debate me on what I just wrote.

I met a teacher the other day who went to Taiwan from Korea. She said although less money, and despite a few other little things, its overall better than Korea.

The famous Portuguese word..."Saudade" (Wiki it). I've had that feeling for most places I've been to in life. I have never had that feeling for Korea though, when I have left korea.

Good luck for the thread opener, if you make the move to Taiwan.

Some teachers in Korea get stuck in this horrible sort of comfort zone over here, and don't leave.

Those in taiwan have a right to shoot me down about this, cos I haven't been there. But I feel Taiwan might have a bit more soul about it, and might be a nice change for any teacher in Korea, to go to. Even just for a year.

Maybe go for it, David Seoul.

-Jezza

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

killian · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 3:36 am Post subject:

done both. i would do taiwan again. not korea.

pest2 · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 170

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

PeterDragon · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 50

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

pest2 · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 170

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

The great irony of living on Taiwan is that Taipei is not only the biggest city on Taiwan but it is also the best place, in my opinion, to live. The people are much friendlier and far better educated than the other major industrialized areas on occupied Taiwan/Formosa. Public transpotation not only exist but it is cheap and reliable. The only down side is the cost of living and the weather. Both wich get better the farther from Taipei you get.
In many ways Taipei and the rest of Taiwan/Formosa are two different countries.
Good Luck!
A.