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Getting Replaced/ Fired in Taiwan
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Solar Strength

Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 9:14 pm Post subject:

JZer wrote:

Or one can just save over $10,000 or more so that even if your employer fires you, you can loaf around while looking for a new job.

I agree. I think a good rule of thumb is to always have at least 3 or 4 paychecks in the bank.

This helps offset the loss of your job and so that you don't have to scramble like a madman to pay your rent and eat.

Rooster_2006

Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 10:25 pm Post subject:

Solar Strength wrote:

JZer wrote:

Or one can just save over $10,000 or more so that even if your employer fires you, you can loaf around while looking for a new job.

True. JZer's suggestion of saving several grand is a good one.

Trouble is, I'm caught between saving that cushion of money and finishing my bachelor's degree. Here's a good question for the Dave's ESL Cafe denizens: Is it better to be broke in Asia with a bachelor's degree, or to be stranded in Asia with $2,000 and no bachelor's degree?

I have about $2,000 right now. I can either spend that to just barely bring myself over the finish line of my BS by the end of next month, or I can use the $2,000 as a cushion.

It's a decision made especially tough by watching Korea terminate its GEPIK program (in which AA/AS holders could work at Korean public schools between 2008 and early 2010), and watching China tighten up its visa issuance procedures to non-BA-holders. Both countries had routes for non-BA/BS holders formerly, but are slashing these programs left and right. Is Taiwan next? If I don't get my BS, could I get a nice little letter in the mail next month saying my visa won't be renewed?

I would *LOVE* to save up a cushion of money like JZer describes. I'm really living life on the edge, using every last bit of savings (and going way into debt) to finish this BS, because unfortunately, given what has happened in China (across the country, especially in the cities) and in Korea (GEPIK terminated), I'm really scared of being caught BS-less when Taiwan decides to follow suit.

So that $10,000 is just a distant, fanciful dream for me, for now. Just wait until the end of August. Then I can stop pouring all my money down the American academic rathole!

Taylor

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

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 11:12 pm Post subject:

Hi Rooster, Interesting post! I know that Taiwan has generally not approved BA degrees from online universities. Are you sure that your school is on Taiwan's list of approved universities? Also, are you certain that it will have no indication on the transcript or diploma that it was earned in a non-traditional format? I expect that you've already looked into this; however, I just wanted to make these comments for the benefit of others, as well. Taylor

Rooster_2006

Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 11:15 pm Post subject:

Taylor wrote:

Hi Rooster,

Interesting post!

I know that Taiwan has generally not approved BA degrees from online universities. Are you sure that your school is on Taiwan's list of approved universities?

Hahaha, that's only for public schools.

My AA is from an online school, and they approved that, no problem. So getting a BS from the same school shouldn't cause any problems. Laughing

Quote:

Also, are you certain that it will have no indication on the transcript or diploma that it was earned in a non-traditional format?

Once again, it only matters for public schools. Taiwanese immigration scrutinized my transcript quite closely, but the only sticking point was that they were doubtful it had been completed in two years -- they thought it had been one. I set them straight, and they said "okay" and issued the ARC.

Quote:

I expect that you've already looked into this; however, I just wanted to make these comments for the benefit of others, as well.

Taylor

Thanks. It always helps to troubleshoot possible problems that could arise. However, I am absolutely sure a BS from Excelsior College will be no problem since they have already accepted my AA from the same college for a total of three work permits. Cool

BTW, I'm seriously wondering if that policy about not accepting online degrees for public schools is still true (though I don't really care much either way since I don't plan to work at one). I logged onto the Taiwan government Web site and looked at approved institutions, and Excelsior College (my school) was on the list -- they don't even have a physical campus. University of Phoenix was on there, as well.

Perhaps by "no online degrees" they just mean non-accredited, mail-order degrees like Belford?

therock

Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Posts: 1266
Location: China

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:09 pm Post subject:

Rooster_2006 wrote:

Perhaps by "no online degrees" they just mean non-accredited, mail-order degrees like Belford?

What they mean are those "life experience" degrees, the ones where you do no course work whatsoever and get the degree. If its a distance degree from an accredited university then you will be fine.

Rooster_2006

Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 11:02 pm Post subject:

therock wrote:

Rooster_2006 wrote:

Perhaps by "no online degrees" they just mean non-accredited, mail-order degrees like Belford?

What they mean are those "life experience" degrees, the ones where you do no course work whatsoever and get the degree. If its a distance degree from an accredited university then you will be fine.

I sure hope you're right.

Man, I wish people would stop using the term "online degree" to refer to unaccredited diploma mills. Why don't these policies just say "no diploma mill degrees" instead?

I had to work HARD for my AA, and have had to work HARD for my BS, and it angers me when people say "no online degrees" and they actually mean Belford or one of those "take a test online and then send in $500, or $550 if you want honors" places.

People should be clearer with their language.

And I don't really care about whether a brick-and-mortar degree is required to teach at a Taiwanese public school or not, honestly. I would never want to work at a Taiwanese public school. What's the point? I could finish an MA TESOL in one year and be working at a uni or at very least an adult cram school, both of which would be superior to working at a public elementary school.

Solar Strength

Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 11:57 pm Post subject:

therock wrote:

What they mean are those "life experience" degrees, the ones where you do no course work whatsoever and get the degree. If its a distance degree from an accredited university then you will be fine.

I do not know about Bachelor Degrees / undergraduate degrees, but I do know that if one were to use a Master's or Doctorate Degree that they obtained through online or distance study that the Taiwanese Government / MoE would not recognize them.

Caution with those online post degrees / degrees obtained by distance study in Taiwan. Some people may have had success with them (accidentally?) but many have been turned away.

There was a poster here several years ago that did an online / distance Master's degree and then, after spending $12, 000 or so on tuition, realized that Taiwan would not recognize his degree. No university would hire him.

Do a search on Dave's ESL Cafe for info on it. Scott Sommers and Michael Turton have also written about distance degrees not being recognized in Taiwan. Google for links to their websites.

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