Job Discussion Forums

[wanderlust82]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post as a new member of the forums here. I just recently graduated college with a bachelors degree and am itching to travel and teach abroad in Asia, specifically Taiwan. I chose Taiwan, because I am half-chinese, and would like to have a fully-immersing chinese experience, and hopefully learn some Mandarin. Additionally, from various resources, it appears to be safer and easier to save money in than China.

During the school year, I was invited to participate in this Scholar laureate program in China, but the cost of the program is beyond my means of affordability. After this enticing opportunity to go to China, I decided that I'll go with or without some program.

At this point, my plans are pretty vague, but I'm leaning more towards booking an RTW(round-the-world) ticket that will begin in Europe and stop in Hong-Kong, where I'm planning to somehow make my way to Taiwan (via flight, train, etc). At this point, I wan't to attempt to find a job either through a company such as John Dewey or by myself.
Here are my questions:

(a) Does this plan seem plausable, or am I kidding myself? If I wan't to teach in Taiwan for a year, is an RTW ticket acceptable? If not, what would be an advisable approach? (I know that typically a person is suppose to have a round trip airfare)

(b) Because this will be my first trip to Asia, I'm fairly apprehensive about the whole process of travelling there--let alone finding a job there--which is why I'm thinking that signing up with a company such as John Dewey would soften my transition and ease some of the anxiety. Is it better to sign up now or wait until I have arrived in Taiwan?

(c) Because I'm so interested in learning Mandarin, I was planning on buying one of those crash audio lessons that can be found in book stores everywhere. Is this a good idea, and if so, are there any specific suggestions? I also thought that renting movies would be a good idea. Any ideas?

Any advice on any of my questions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

Lisa

[argonfly707]

Hello Wanderlust,

I have been here 3 months so from one noobie to another I will try and answer some of your questions.

From my experience Taiwan is very safe, probably safer than back in Canada. The only thing that's not safe is the traffic, which can be a bit scary at times. You can also make more money in Taiwan then in China. If you are looking to save money you can probably save about 1000USD a month and still have some fun. But that all depends on where you work.

Now about the recruiters, as you have probably read in the forums some support Dewey some do not. My experience is they are very good. I went with another recruiter at first and after I had got my plane ticket, visitor visa and was all set to leave in 3 days from Canada the recruiter called and told me that they had given the position to someone else. I was in a panic now because I left in three days and was scared about having no job. I had already been previously in contact with Dewey and associated and contacted them again. The next day Andrew got me a phone interview with a school and I was accepted and when I arrived the school was great they provided me with a very soft landing. (Air port pick up place to stay etc..) Also I think if you want to come first and not have a job and use Dewey they can rent you a room or let you stay somewhere and you can take personal interviews with schools so you can meet and see if you like them. Just make sure you talk to the school personally and only sign contracts with them.

About the round trip ticket, just make sure before you come to Taiwan you have a 60 day visitor visa and a ticket out of Taiwan. If you do not and you get a landing visa you will have to go to Hong Kong or out of the country anywhere to get your resident visa.

About the Mandarin I don't know any and I don't find it that hard to get around. I bought a lonely planet book but have never used it.

Well good luck in your adventure,
Argon