Job Discussion Forums

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

Hi everybody,

I'll be coming over to Taiwan to study but am considering making it a place to live long-term, so I would really like to get your valuable opinions and insights.

And I think this would help out everyone, all newbies who are coming over to Taiwan.

We've seen posts that are similar to this, but what I'd really like to know are your no-holds barred opinions on Taiwan.

Specifically...what are all the things you LIKE about Taiwan, and what are all the things that DO NOT LIKE about Taiwan?

What annoys you...makes you go crazy...what bothers you? What might bother a newbie coming over?

What are aspects of maybe the weather, landscape, people, job situation, money situation, health situation, etc. that you don't like?

Similarly, what are all the things you DO like about Taiwan, what are good aspects of the people, the weather, the financial situation, housing situation, etc.?

Thanks guys, really appreciate it and am looking forward to hearing what you think!

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

OK. Well, I'll start with the bad.

Dislike:

Traffic and the way people drive here. It's dangerous in ways not seen in many other places.

Crowded, polluted cities. (It's worth noting that I've minimized the effects of the first two by living in a smaller center and in a community with a natural setting).

Top heavy, inflexible management style in Chinese organizations.

Likes:

Ability to reduce my monthly expenses to near zero when desired. This place can be really cheap. When you can eat a meal for under 2 dollars US, you know you can live cheap.

The feeling of being in demand. The abundance of work in our industry in Taiwan makes one feel secure.

The people who, on the whole, are friendly and non-aggressive.

The expat community in Taiwan.

The children I teach. The other day I was horsing around and asked a class of first graders in Chinese, "Raise your hand if you think your English teacher is the best teacher in the world." I expected playful sounds of retching or similar. Instead, every kid's hand shot up immediately, so fast I could tell they were sincere. It was one of those moments that leave a knot in your throat.

Anyway, that's just a few things to get things rolling.

BJ · Joined: 03 Dec 2003 Posts: 173

Nods at TS. SImilar. Some of the issues i had when i first got here many years ago, and still annoy me.

1. Scooters parked everywhere, making one walk int he street.

2. Trafiic seeming to travel in at least 4 directions at once.

3. The smell of stinky Dofu.

4. Organisation in many forms.

Likes

1. The students.

2. Cost of living.

3. Friends.

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

There's many pluses to Taiwan. Too many to list.

Peeves though...don't get me started.

1. Pavements being parking spaces for scooters.

2. The noise. When living in Taiwan those odd moments of peace are truly bliss.

3. Administrators. No common sense, unprofessional, untrustworthy.

4. Summer climate. Perfect for people trying to sweat weight off. Hell for everyone else.

5. Taiwanese authorities and people do not appreciate their environment. River are for putting liquids into. Countryside for tipping rubbish. Air for filling with smoke. Sea for dumping anything and everything. Open land is for building stalag inspired architecture upon. As long as people make money who cares? Me!

stunnershades · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 32

Taiwan is really cool looking. I love exploring and photographing the creepy urban areas and alleyways where one can see caged chickens, stray dogs, chinese graffiti, and other purely eastern things. Its what I came here for. Plus its way safe.

BigWally · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject:

Dislikes:
1. Traffic
2. Scooter Parking lots (aka Sidewalks)
3. Betel Nut
4. Administrations
5. Pollution

Likes:
1. Cost of living
2. Food
3. Weather
4. Money
5. Students

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

Wow, you guys rock, thanks!

Seems like all the bad points so far aren't even really bad!

I was thinking I would hear much worse things! But I'm glad I didn't, and also glad you guys are giving your honest views. Thanks again!

Does anyone else have anything else to add? Would be great to keep the thread going!

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

For me the best like is getting paid good money for a fun easy job. The worst though is the traffic, pedestrian and motorised, both of which absolutely insists on walking/driving into you. Taxi drivers are the absolute worst.

southern bluefin · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 12

Hi all
My fiance and I have tentatively booked flights from New Zealand to South Korea stopping over in Taiwan for a few days on the way, on 17th November.

Kindly, can anyone advise a good place for a newbie to the industry (age 40) to start in Taiwan - prefer teaching adults business English if poss., but am open minded.

Thanks for any advice - do we need to have a job lined up or can we apply to a few places during our week stay - if so, what places are recommended? I have a degree and some adult teaching experience in business communication.

Thanks, Paul and Shirley in Auckland

wood · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

Likes: Cold beer available24 hours a day.

Dislikes: Same

just4u · Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 20

BigWally · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:29 am Post subject:

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

SEndrigo - What do you mean "Seems like all the bad points so far aren't even really bad!"??

I take it you haven't been breathing in the air in Taiwanese cities lately, or tried to walk along a sidewalk without either getting run down or walking with the crowd through a space 2 feet wide.