Job Discussion Forums

nicam · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 15 Location: Hermit Kingdom

I've read a lot of old posts and think Kaohsiung might be the place for me, but I've been working in Korea with the EPIK program for the past year and am a little concerned with the crossover into the private world.

Has anyone worked, or known anyone that's worked, at a good school in Kaohsiung? I know Korea does a lot of couple's jobs. Is this common in Taiwan?

I have a B.A. in English, and 1 year teaching experience in Korea. Was gonna do the TESOL, and would do it if it'd get me a better job or more money, but heard it isn't necessary or beneficial at all for Taiwan. I'll be heading over with my boyfriend (he will have an earlier start by a month or so) in August/September and we are both young and attractive, and I am going to highlight the s*@# out of my hair, so we'll be blonde.

If my boyfriend will be there before me would it be better to come in person and look for work, or is that too risky? I used Footprints to come to Korea and they were good to me, but I've heard they aren't great for Taiwan.

Also, coming from EPIK I don't want to be worked to death (nor do I need my hand held) by a big chain, but I don't qualify for PS there. I am also used to having months of vacation and ample sick days. While I am willing to part with this, I don't really want only 7 days off and no sick time.

What would you all do in my situation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

BigWally · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:13 am Post subject:

I worked for this school for nearly 2 years. Above average hours & pay, and good tax bonuses. Totally legit and by the books.

http://www.kns.com.tw

LKJ · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 57

Lots of people try to transport their cushy Korean benefits package with them when job hunting in Taiwan - but fail miserably.

Your dilemma is that Taiwan is a nicer country, but Korea pays better. Deal with it.

I hope this helps.

LKJ

nicam · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 15 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Yeah, I know it won't be as cushy in Taiwan. Sucks, but I'm willing to deal with it for a better quality of life. As long as the savings potential is there, like it is in Korea.

Thanks, BigWally. I've heard good things about KNS.

Taylor · Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 384 Location: Texas/Taiwan

Dear Readers,

I would recommend NOT mentioning that you've arrived with your boyfriend.

When I was in charge of hiring at a cram school in Kaohsiung, I tended not to hire anyone who had just arrived with a boyfriend/girlfriend.

There's a possibility of excessive personal issues, along with the fact that you might both decide to leave together (or be planning on leaving w/o notice) at anytime.

Taylor
Kaohsiung
10+ years

BigWally · Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject:

Or the school that I previously mentioned, tended toward hiring couples. When I was there, there was probably about 6-7 couples working for KNS.

milkweedma · Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 151

Nobody here has so far told you about the HORRENDOUS air pollution you will face in Kaoshung. This city consistently has the WORST air pollution of all cities in Taiwan. You will have lung, ear, nose, throat problems a few months down the track and it be worse if you do ANY out door excercise in that city. The entire west coast of Taiwan is polluted with filthy air. About time someone here told it how it is. Korea's air is a lot better outside of Seoul.

MarkoPolo · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 1

Kaohsiung might be smoggy by Korea's standards, but after being in Taipei for a week, we were surprised at finally being able to breathe and actually seeing the sun and moon on a regular basis.

My girLfriend and I just locked in jobs and are looking forward to life in the dirty south!

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

I may be interested in moving from Taipei to Kaohsiung. What is the best way to find Kaohsiung jobs? Kaohsiung schools don't seem to advertise much on tealit.

BigWally · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 2:25 pm Post subject:

www.kaohsiungliving.com

Sign up for a yahoo account and join the group. Very good resources there. Also there is a facebook group called Kaohsiung Insider that may be helpful too.

As for the air pollution, yes it is bad.

I have mentioned it many times before in my posts. But the trade off with Taipei is that it doesn't rain very much outside of rainy season, where in Taipei or anywhere in the north you are constantly damp, wet and mouldy. Kaohsiung is hardly ever wet, its usually HOT and STICKY....and this helps keep the pollution hanging right over the city.

Keep in mind, dealing with the pollution is easy. Wear a pollution mask. On those bad weeks, get some friends together and go camping in Maolin for the weekend to get into the fresh mountain air (really makes a diff), or drive down to Kenting and spend the weekend splashing around in the South China Sea.

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

BigWally, can I ask what you are doing now you went back to Canada? It interest me what people actually do when they return home. If you don't want to say not problem.

BigWally · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:40 pm Post subject:

I work for the Royal Canadian Mint. My gf is teaching elementary school.

nicam · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 15 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Hmmm, interesting thing about couples being a risk. The only problem is, if I don't mention my boyfriend, and we end up working at the same school, then we have to hide our relationship, which might be fun for a month or two, but...

Well, I think KNS is my first choice, and they don't seem to mind according to BigWally, so fingers crossed for that one.

Yeah, the pollution is pretty lame, but I'd rather have that than the constant rainy, wet, mold rif-raff up north.