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chipy66
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Posts: 26
Location: HO- Town
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 Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:45 am Post subject: What to bring to taiwan..and other assorted questions |
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Hey everyone...
I am most likely going to come to taiwan in august after travelling around australia in july  . I have read on here that it is better to search for a english teaching job once you arrive, so i think that is what I am going to do. Also do all jobs require that you sign 1 year contracts or only ones that you find before you arrive?
However my question is how much stuff should I bring? I am bringing a big backpack for sure, but should i also bring a suitcase of stuff? Will it be difficult to watch after and carry around a backpack and a suitcase?
I was wondering beyond the obvious what stuff or items of clothing should i not forget to bring along with me? Also I have read that some places require you show them your degree? Is a photocopy of it enough? as i am hesitant to travel around with the representation of four years of drinking and partying 
thanks |
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Girl Scout
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Inbetween worlds
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| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:10 am Post subject: |
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Sorry, you will need to bring your original degree.
Bring comfortable clothing. I suggest at least one business casual outfit, nothing too nice. You want to look good but not overdressed for your interview. Work clothes vary from job to job. If you teach kids you can wear jeans and t-shirts a lot. If you teach adults you will need to look more professional.
You will also want your laptop. |
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Ki
Joined: 23 Jul 2004
Posts: 475
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| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:57 am Post subject: |
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While I like the ease of life my laptop provides I would be hesitant to suggest going out of your way to acquire one before coming, especially if you are planning to do some travel before arriving.
Almost all jobs request you to sign a one year contract. I have been asked to sign a few one year contracts with ridiculous work schedules and no ARC. But I don't think saying 'no' will necessarily lose you the job. If you are able to prove yourself to be a reliable employee and a great teacher then you could probably get away with 6 months or casual contracts. It will also help if they are desperate for a teacher and you are able to begin right away.
Don't bring too much stuff. Remember, you will have to lug it around Oz for a few weeks first. You won't need a suit, especially in August, but bring a nice shirt to wear to interviews. You are able to buy a lot of cheap clothes here. |
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matchstick_man
Joined: 21 May 2003
Posts: 244
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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Buy several pairs of flip-flops/thongs/jandals where you are, and bring them with you, if you have large or wide feet. And make sure they are comfortable. I'm serious because most of the ones here are small and uncomfortable.
If you can get photocopies of your degree verified by a Taiwanese consulate you don't need your original (still it's better to have it and not need it than the other way around). I've never brought an original. |
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chipy66
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Posts: 26
Location: HO- Town
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| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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yeah im not worried about lugging it around australia because i can stash it at a friends place.
It sucks you have to bring your degree, oh well.
Another quick question, should i get any vaccinations for the entire area? I looked it up and the CDC says you should get Malaria, Hep A and B and a few others i think. Are these necessary or are they just very precautionary? |
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matchstick_man
Joined: 21 May 2003
Posts: 244
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 3:33 am Post subject: |
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| They're just precautionary. I'd seriously consider a rabies shot due to the huge stray dog problem here. |
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Sheep-Goats
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 527
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| Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:05 am Post subject: Re: What to bring to taiwan..and other assorted questions |
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| chipy66 wrote: |
However my question is how much stuff should I bring? I am bringing a big backpack for sure, but should i also bring a suitcase of stuff? |
Have you ever left the country before?
If you're travelling all you should need is a carry-on sized piece of luggage -- doesn't matter if you're travelling for a week or a year. Travelling with any more than that is a goddamn nightmare.
If you're going to work, you need to bring work clothes (eg: shirts and ties for interviews, other not-totally-grungy stuff for actual work), a few exta entertainment things (books, CDs, pictures of family/home, etc) and a laptop if you own one. Plus, any/all of the documents you have at home -- like your original degree.
You should be more specific about your plans when asking for advice. Do you think you'll come to Taiwan for a couple of months, then go to Austrailia with 4000USD in your pocket? Ain't gonna happen. Some employers might sign a six month contract with you if they're desperate, but less than that and you're looking at very unusual situations. Also understand that your first two months in any country will always be your most expensive two due to your own ignorance in where to buy stuff and the costs of getting set up (apartment, phone, interenet, taxis instead of busses, etc etc). So those people who say "I went to Taiwan and saved a bazillion dollars" didn't do it on their first month here.
As for the vaccinations, I'd get Hep A at least -- it can be done in a single shot and isn't too expensive. Hep B is a course of shots over two or three months, most people don't have the time to get it done before they go. Hep A is foodborne and a big problem in Asia -- Hep B is essentially sexually transmitted, so as long as you keep your jimmy hat on you can leave that one behind if you want. Malaria vaccine is a waste of time unless you're going to be living in one place in the jungle for weeks at a time. Rabies isn't a bad idea, but it's very expensive and a mulit-shot course thing like Hep B -- most people feel its better to just run to the hospital if they get bitten. |
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