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AQUA MARINA
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
Posts: 104
Location: Canada *In TAIWAN AUGUST 8TH!**
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 Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:48 pm Post subject: Southern Taiwan, Favourite Cities , VOtes PLease! |
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Hi everyone,
I am a Global Tesol Grad and ANY feedback for below & people who have lived in the SOuth of Taiwan would be great. Little tid bits of Pros and Cons. PLease state the city you lived in.
1) If you had to pick the TOP 3 cities to live and work, What would u recommend between Chiayi, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taitung, Pintung? What would be the closest comparison MOntreal Or Vancouver? I hear furthur South Taiwan is more beautiful.
2) Will I be able to get contract that offers at least 600-700 NT/ hr salary in these cities?
3) Is there a subway system in any of these cities and IF not, is transportation cheap and is it easy to get around?
4) Will i be able to live on $1000CAN on rent/living expenses about for the first 2 months untill I find a good school? * that's all the savings i have after airfare 
5) How far if Kenting Beaches and is it as beautiful from when i've read?
6) Do most accomodations offer A/C?
7) Do most accomodation offer Internet comp*to keep in touch family?
 How do find the mosquitoes over in the South? Are there alot of creepy callers such as like roaches and lizards and rats in apts? *I've got a bit of a bug fear, but it's oK if it's not as bad as Thailand and Singapore.
9) Any opnion on IF i should have a recruiter help me settle in the process of finding a good school or doing this myself *and there are no fees for the teacherusing their services.
10) Any info. on schools, contacts or recruitment agancies you recommend.
A bit more about myself, I love a laid back atmosphere, clean air *if possible, nature, beaches, prefer subway *unless it's easy to get to work, access to a metropoiliton shopping mall area, some kind of nightlife, things to do in a city to not get bored, theatre, arts, culture, temples, friendly people , not a souless city.
Looking forward to hearing from your responses  . |
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Dr_Zoidberg
Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 406
Location: Not posting on Forumosa.
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| Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 1:43 am Post subject: Re: Southern Taiwan, Favourite Cities , VOtes PLease! |
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| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
PLease state the city you lived in. |
I live in a small town about 30 mins away from Taichung City by scooter.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
1) If you had to pick the TOP 3 cities to live and work, What would u recommend between Chiayi, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taitung, Pintung? What would be the closest comparison MOntreal Or Vancouver? I hear furthur South Taiwan is more beautiful. |
Kaohsiung's air is toxic.
Never been to Tainan or Taitung.
Taichung is my favourite city in Taiwan.
I spent my first year in Chiayi and never thought I'd be so happy to leave. 'Nuff said.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
2) Will I be able to get contract that offers at least 600-700 NT/ hr salary in these cities? |
No. Most schools pay between 500 - 600 NT / hour. Unless you wow them in some way the other thousands of foreigners can't, expect to be at the lower end of the scale until you gain some experience.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
3) Is there a subway system in any of these cities and IF not, is transportation cheap and is it easy to get around? |
No. There are buses. Transportation by cost in ascending order:
1. Walking
2. Cycling
3. Scooter
4. Bus
Transportation by risk of bodily harm in ascending order:
1. Walking Cycling Scooter Bus
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
4) Will i be able to live on $1000CAN on rent/living expenses about for the first 2 months untill I find a good school? * that's all the savings i have after airfare |
Ai yoooooo! Why do people always buy their ticket and then ask questions? No, you cannot live on $1000 CAD for two months. You should have at least $2000 CAD in order to be comfortable until you start getting paid.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
5) How far if Kenting Beaches and is it as beautiful from when i've read? |
Kending is at the very southern tip of the island. Reasonably close enough to Kaoshiung, where there is regular bus service, to make it a weekend destination.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
6) Do most accomodations offer A/C? |
Not all of them do. I moved into my apartment in January with the promise of a/c come April. Come May I was still fighting with the landlord over it.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
7) Do most accomodation offer Internet comp*to keep in touch family? |
From what I've seen advertised, I would say very few come with an Internet connection. However, that's not a problem as Internet cafes are everywhere and cost between 10 - 30 NT per hour.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
How do find the mosquitoes over in the South? Are there alot of creepy callers such as like roaches and lizards and rats in apts? *I've got a bit of a bug fear, but it's oK if it's not as bad as Thailand and Singapore. |
Mosquitoes are plentiful in the spring. Make sure you apply OFF before going out. Having a bug zapper in your apartment beats chasing them with a rolled up magazine.
Roaches (the auto-censor won't let me say c-o-c-k-roaches) are a fact of life here. The best thing you can do is keep your apartment clean. I bleach my floors once per week, that seems to keep them away.
Lizards running across your wall can be a bit freaky at first, but don't worry about them. They eat the roaches and mosquitoes.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
9) Any opnion on IF i should have a recruiter help me settle in the process of finding a good school or doing this myself *and there are no fees for the teacherusing their services. |
There's no reason you can't use a recruiter while also looking yourself. I strongly suggest you do a search on this forum and read what the community has to say about recruiters.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
10) Any info. on schools, contacts or recruitment agancies you recommend. |
The large chain schools seem to have a good reputation. If you're going to use a recruiter, I recommend Dewey. However, as I said, search this forum and do your research on recruiters (and schools!)
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
A bit more about myself, I love a laid back atmosphere |
Taiwan should suit you. The lifestyle here is very laid back, at least in the smaller towns.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
| clean air *if possible, nature, beaches |
Oh stop it, you're killing me!  There's no such thing as clean air in Taiwan. If you want nature you have to go to the east coast where jobs are not plentiful. There is only one clean beach and that's Kending.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
prefer subway |
Taipei only.
| AQUA MARINA wrote: |
| access to a metropoiliton shopping mall area |
Let the rest of us know if you find one. Taiwan isn't big on malls. This is still a very traditional society. People shop in open markets and stores are not hurded under one roof. |
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SanChong
Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 335
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| Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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Sure, happy to help with your questions:
| Quote: |
| 1) If you had to pick the TOP 3 cities to live and work, What would u recommend between Chiayi, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taitung, Pintung? What would be the closest comparison MOntreal Or Vancouver? I hear furthur South Taiwan is more beautiful. |
Any of those cities would really be fine. If you want a very large city, then focus on Kaohsiung or Taichung. The other cities (Chia Yi, Tainan, Taitung and Pingtung) probably won't seem all that different to a newcomer. Taitung is definitely the most remote of the group. The key is more your approach to the experience than the city itself.
| Quote: |
| 2) Will I be able to get contract that offers at least 600-700 NT/ hr salary in these cities? |
Maybe, but those salary rates are definitely on the high end for a new teacher. I'd focus more on making sure your are at a good honest school than making a few extra NT per hour for your first year.
| Quote: |
| 3) Is there a subway system in any of these cities and IF not, is transportation cheap and is it easy to get around? |
Only Kaohsiung has a subway and it's not extensive. Transportation is very easy and cheap, after you learn the right routes. Scooters are also a fun option, but read the recent thread about them!
| Quote: |
| 4) Will i be able to live on $1000CAN on rent/living expenses about for the first 2 months untill I find a good school? * that's all the savings i have after airfare Sad |
It's possible, but that will make your first couple months VERY tight. It's probably not enough money. Some schools will give you a loan, but make sure you ask before you arrive, so you don't find yourself broke!
| Quote: |
| 5) How far if Kenting Beaches and is it as beautiful from when i've read? |
Depends on where you are coming from. It's about an hour+ from Kaohsiung/Kenting. It is very nice, but not much compared to beaches in Thailand, for example.
| Quote: |
| 6) Do most accomodations offer A/C? |
Yes, and make sure you get one that has AC. You will need it!
| Quote: |
| 7) Do most accomodation offer Internet comp*to keep in touch family? |
It definitely wont' come with a computer! Is that what you meant to say!? You can always get internet hooked up in your apartment, of course.
| Quote: |
| Cool How do find the mosquitoes over in the South? Are there alot of creepy callers such as like roaches and lizards and rats in apts? *I've got a bit of a bug fear, but it's oK if it's not as bad as Thailand and Singapore. |
Umm, that's a hard one to answer, but there are definitely a lot of mosquitoes. I don't find it so bad although everyone sees roaches on a regular basis.
| Quote: |
9) Any opnion on IF i should have a recruiter help me settle in the process of finding a good school or doing this myself *and there are no fees for the teacherusing their services.
10) Any info. on schools, contacts or recruitment agancies you recommend. |
Yes, Reach To Teach is a good place to look. Dewey is also fine. Both do not charge the teachers at all.
You will find extensive shopping malls in the major cities, but definitely NOT in the smaller places you mentioned... You may have a problem with the air quality and some of the other things you mentioned...
If you are flexible and enjoy yourself most places, you will be fine. |
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AQUA MARINA
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
Posts: 104
Location: Canada *In TAIWAN AUGUST 8TH!**
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| Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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Dr_Zoidberg
Taichung is my favourite city in Taiwan.
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What exaclty do you like about the city? I've heard good things about it too however, I also and heard that there is a higher crime rate and higher water contampination due to after it rains in the mountains, water dribbles down with pesticides. Is this true?
How's the nightlife, arts/culture and is it easy to get around? |
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AQUA MARINA
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
Posts: 104
Location: Canada *In TAIWAN AUGUST 8TH!**
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| Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
SanChong
Yes, Reach To Teach is a good place to look. Dewey is also fine.
Both do not charge the teachers at all. |
What are their wecbsites OR contact info . Reach To Teach and Dewey and have u used them personally? |
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Dr_Zoidberg
Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 406
Location: Not posting on Forumosa.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:06 am Post subject: |
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There are no worries about pesticides or other contaminants in the water because you NEVER EVER drink the tap water.
Taichung has plenty of nightlife and cultural things. Getting around is quite easy if you have a scooter or a bicycle. Catching a bus is hazardous. The only way they'll stop is if you run out onto the road and flag one down. Try that on Taichung Gang Road. HA! Speaking of Taichung Gang Road, avoid it. There are thousands of scooters on that road, and they're all driven by idiots.
Yes, I have used Dewey a couple of times and didn''t have any problems with them; although one of the schools they put me in touch with was very dishonest. In fact the first thing they asked was if I would be willing to pretend they didn't hire me so they wouldn't have to pay Dewey.
Be wary when dealing with schools. There are many dishonest ones out there. You will also find others that can't or won't articulate their expectations and will then be unhappy when you don't give them what they want. Don't be surprised if you run into both types. Between the two, I went through three schools in my first year before finding my current employer with whom I have now been for one year, and with whom I'm going to remain. Don't be surprised if it takes a couple of false starts before you find a good employer.
I've had no experience with Reach to Teach.
www.de-wey.com.tw |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:57 am Post subject: |
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I agree with the recommendations of Reach to Teach and Dewey.
Neither company is perfect but both have the best interests of teachers at heart and provided that you have done your research about what you want from them they will deliver. |
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AQUA MARINA
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
Posts: 104
Location: Canada *In TAIWAN AUGUST 8TH!**
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| Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:06 pm Post subject: |
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Dr_Zoidberg
I'll be posting a seperate forum about Taichung that I would like to invite you too. I've been comparing cities and am drawn towards this area.
Thankyou everyone has been extremely helpful in narrowing down my search and on recruitment agencies. |
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AQUA MARINA
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
Posts: 104
Location: Canada *In TAIWAN AUGUST 8TH!**
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:50 am Post subject: |
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Anyone ever heard of anything on this recruitment agency 'English Universal Growth Education Cente' at website http://www.eugrowth.com/ ?
Are they decent?
It's another agency that was passed on to me by a fellow grad. |
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Dr_Zoidberg
Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 406
Location: Not posting on Forumosa.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 4:40 am Post subject: |
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I dealt with them once. The contract was a bizarre 3-way deal: The teacher, the school, and the recruiter all signed the same contract; in effect making the teacher beholden to the school AND the recruiter. It's not something I would recommend.
That was over a year ago. Check them out if you like, but be wary of any 3-way contracts.
I'll answer your Taichung thread later tonight.
Cheers. |
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AQUA MARINA
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
Posts: 104
Location: Canada *In TAIWAN AUGUST 8TH!**
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 4:57 am Post subject: |
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Good to know this Dr_Zoidberg.
ALso i 've been checking out jobs for Taichung on Dave's CAfe and My Global Tesol site..I'm having a hard time finding contracts . Is it true that alot o neighbourhood schools aren't advertised and not to
worry untill i get there?
Looking forward to hearing your expertise |
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