Job Discussion Forums

[Ledie]

How much money should I bring with me?
What are all the start up costs?
How much should I expect to pay for ARC?
Are credit cards accepted?

Thank you for your help.

[Taylor]

Basically, $1000 US would be the minimum. You can use credit cards at the larger discount stores (like Carrefour, which is similar to Wal-Mart).

More later.

Taylor

[Xenophobe]

If you want to live buy yourself you should bring enough money to cover the following fees:

-rent +damage deposit (usually two months rent)
-medical fees/exam
-fridge
-gas range
-gas to heat water
-air conditioner
-furniture
-scooter
-food and other groceries
-telephone/cell phone
-Cable TV
-laundry services(if your apartment comes sans washing machine)

If you share an apartment with someone this cuts down expenses dramatically. Furnished apartments are available, but are usually more expensive. Most furniture, cooking utensils and appliances can be bought off of teachers who are returning home, for a really good price. Scooters can be bought easily for about NT 20 000 (don't get anything smaller than 125cc), but take a Chinese friend or associate with you. Food, if you eat locally at the vendors is tasty, plentiful and cheap (the only time we got food poisoning in Taiwan was from a Western restaurant). You also need to make sure that you have enough cash to carry you over until your first pay cheque, after that you have it made.

[TaoyuanSteve]

"All" the startup costs would be impossible to list. They will vary a lot based on individual circumstances. If you are coming from Canada, I'd say you need about 2000 in funds to get you through that first little while comfortably. ARC, including health exam and all related costs will probably set you back about 5000NT. Credit cards are accepted in some places, but not in as many places as you are used to back home. You'll probably be able to use your credit card at the hospital where you do your health exam, but not at the police station where you get your ARC processed. If your credit card question suggests you are low on funds, I'd suggest staying home until you can save sufficient cash. It's not a good idea to come here broke, although I know some manage to do so. It would probably be easier to start out in Korea if you are broke.

[Ledie]

Thanks for the great advice. No, not low on funds. Just wondering if credit cards were accepted. I know travellers checks are a big waste of time

So $2000 canadian should suffice? I'm going with my canadian room-mate and we plan to live together and figure things out together. Should cut the costs a little.

If anyone else has any more advice, I'll be very pleased to hear from you.

Thanks again to all who replied.

[matchstick_man]

Actually the ARC and health test etc may cost nothing. It depends on the schools policies and how much they want/need a foreign teacher. Afrter teaching for three years this was the first year I paid for my ARC.