Job Discussion Forums

[Horizontal Hero]

The grass is always greener on the other side. While many here living the easy life as an effectively low-skilled esl teacher in Taiwan - and many working less than 40 hours a week - the reality for the average worker in Asia - the future of the world (as one put it) - is horrendous hours being exploited by unaccountable bosses in industries that are unregulated by any decent unions.

Take China for example, the economic miracle. My brother in law works about 50 hours a week as a secuirty guard in a medium sized chinese city. He earns about 100 US bucks A MONTH, and supports a kid and a non-working wife. My other brother in law, who is a local cadre in the Party, earns about 20 000 US bucks a month, drives an audi, and owns mega properties. Recently his wife (my wife's sister), got pregnant. He told her to kill the baby, or they would divorce. Is this the kind of society you want your kid growing up in?

Sure, Taiwan isn't quite as bad. But what I am saying is that many eslers in Asia just don't get it, that this is a hyper-competitive dog-eat-dog world where people are born, live and die and in between do little but work, watch tv, play computer games, go shopping and sleep. That's the world you are putting your kid in when you enrol in a school here.

I'm not American, so can't comment too much of the evils of society there. But being kid in Australia beats being a kid in Asia hands down.

And who is to say that the future of Asia is guarnteed? Much of the region is being driven by China - and China is a VERY unknown proposition. It has rarely gone more than a few decades without major socil turmoil. It will be greatly tested by the recent global econmic problems.

[DirtGuy]

Stay right where you are and tell your wife to tough it out. I gave up my dream of teaching overseas on an extended basis to buy a business to ensure a decent retirement. I'm an idiot. The economy sucks here and is getting worse. We are nowhere near the bottom and I see nothing good ahead for a long time. You sure this is what you want to come back to?

If you must come here, have a LOT of money saved up in order to get you through the bad times. You're going to need it.

DirtGuy

[Splenda]

The American economy is in shambles right now. If you have a decent life in Taiwan, I'd advise you to stay there right now. Things are only going to get worse in the U.S. over the next year or more.

[the dakota kid]

Housing is cheaper in the midwest, but so are the salaries...I was a public school teacher in ND and I make more money in Korea...quite sad actually!
Back home, people consider teaching a well paid job.

tdk

[sly1139]

just for the record, I'm from Texas, Austin actually, and Texas gets a bad rap... Austin is one of the best cities in the USA... Also, I'm looking into employment in Taiwan, any good schools to look at, or a system of finding a good job????

[pinkflyd7]

I live in Austin, TX too. It's a pretty nice place and the people here are cool, but there isn't that much to do if you have kids.