Job Discussion Forums

ellamarie · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 18 Location: Korea

I know this question has been done to death but I need to start making my decision now. I have been planning to teach in South Korea by next year but given the current situation, I thought it might be wise to consider other options as well.

I'm not just interested in teaching overseas for the money, but that is a factor. I don't want to go abroad and live paycheck to paycheck-I'm doing that here. I want to travel but I also have to work, and realistically I will never make enough money here to do much traveling abroad, if at all. I know in South Korea I could probably save up to $1000 USD a month. In what other countries would I be able to live comfortably and save some money?

I have a B.A. in English with a concentration in Technical Communications. I also have about 7 years of experience teaching preschool children. I have no problem teaching younger children, so kindergarten or even a little bit younger wouldn't bother me.

Anyone got any ideas?

Tue · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 59

You can save 500$ to 1000$ a month in Vietnam. It all depends........

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You could save US$1000 a month in Japan, too, depending on circumstances.

Living in a rural area helps to save money (unless one makes lots of trips to the big city).

Working on the JET programme offers a higher salary than general conversation schools, and you might even get rent paid for!!

General lifestyle also matters. Vegetarian vs. carnivore. Thrifty buyer vs. spendthrift. Overzealous sightseer vs. practical one. Etc. Look at the thread on "cheapskates" that I started in the Japan forum for more Japan-related info on saving money.

tedkarma · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:19 am Post subject:

You can save about US$1000+ a month in Korea.

About US$2200 a month gross wages - free housing, low taxes, free plane ticket.

And you can live in a city AND eat meat! Laughing

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

ellamarie · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 18 Location: Korea

Maybe I should be more specific. I've already done a lot of research on South Korea and I know that is where I want to go. Of course, if the situation becomes too unstable I won't be going to South Korea. Whatever the case, I want to be teaching overseas by next summer so I want to have some alternatives countries in mind when I apply for jobs.

I am looking for some of the same things that attracted me to S. Korea. I don't necessarily want to be in the middle of a huge city but I don't want to be in the boonies either. I want to experience another culture but also have access to gyms, shops with Western amenities, English speaking doctors, and an ex-pat community. In South Korea I was considering the outskirts of Seoul or Busan.

I need to go somewhere where I will be able to put away some of my salary every month without living like a hermit or starving. I would like to be somewhere in Asia so I am also considering China, Japan, and Taiwan. So, from those who have lived in those areas...what are my best options?

tedkarma · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:28 pm Post subject:

Frankly, the situation in South Korea has been UNSTABLE for about 50 years now. So - I would call that stable . . .

The best way to judge these things is by how the local folks react - not the hysterics of CNN. The local folks in Korea pay it very little attention.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

tedkarma · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:08 am Post subject:

I was living in Taipei when China was doing the "live fire" exercises shooting missles over Taiwan. Nobody seemed too stressed by it - but if I had believed CNN and BBC - I would have been heading for the hills. Laughing

But, hey, they gotta do what they gotta do for ratings . . .

You are right - it is pretty much the same as Korea - been that way for 50 years - people there don't pay it much attention.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

and to add to that, why does the OP seem to think that South Korea is more dangerous than the United States. (I am assuming the OP is from the US, I appoligize if I am wrong.) The US was attacked more recently than South Korea or Taiwan.

ellamarie · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 18 Location: Korea

JZer wrote:

tedkarma · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject:

I am an American - but I am afraid that you will find most Americans ("back home" anyway) sorely ignorant of the real world out here - and pretty much afraid to cross the border in any direction.

But the reality is that crime in the States is such a problem that you are better to take your chances with terrorists and dictator states. I don't mean this as America bashing - btw.

Don't get me wrong - I love my native country - but everyone who heads overseas hears the same stories from their families. And, in most other countries - people hear the same stuff when they head out too. Namely, "Ohhhh, dangerous . . ."

Humans are afraid of the unknown - tis a natural thing.

I too was a "fraidy cat" before I headed out (and probably the first couple years!) - but I got over it. Doesn't mean throw caution to the wind - many not so smart people do things they would NEVER do at home - and end up in trouble . . . be careful, pay attention - all will be fine.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Another interesting fact is that 36,516 people died in the Korean Theater during the Korean War out of 1.7 million that surved. That is only 2 percent of those who served in the Korean Theater.