Job Discussion Forums

[thaipulse]

Hi - I'm currently in Thailand and not making enough. I'm still able to save some, maybe 15,000baht per month on average. I live very comfortably but still I'm looking at Korea and Japan as possibles for saving more. I read MANY posts here about the differences between the two - and the usual questions were answered in compaing them -but, many were not. Here are some specific questions that I'm hoping to get comparisons on - Japan vs. Korea.

Safety of teachers... I'm from America. Any problems with that in either country? I read that Korea sometimes had race riots... between who? Any insight on whether my wife and I would be safe. She is Thai - 24, and cute. I'm not sure what she'd be doing there except what she usually does here - eat, sleep, shop, make food, wash, take care of all errands, etc. I'm wondering - is she safe walking around big cities by herself? Do the police hassle Thai girls that are alone - thinking them possible prostitutes? Would she be ok in a small town?


Do they like Thai people in general or have a problem with them?


Safety of belongings... robbery... Are there frequent robberies of expats homes? Here in THailand it's getting pretty ridiculous. Half of the people I know have been robbed here. That is a large number. Whether it was cell phones taken out of pockets or motorsai baskets... or homes broken into while they were sleeping... and there have been MANY of those...

Does this happen in Japan or Korea? Much? Is it a serious problem like here? I carry my 40k baht camera, phone, and laptop all over for fear someone will break into my home while I'm gone!


Do most apartments have full kitchens? In Thailand a house will have it, an apartment - nope. Most - nope. People here eat out every meal usually. I don't I eat inside every meal but lunch, and even that my wife will cook day before from home.


If you get a VISA to stay - is it valid if you leave your job or if you are in-between jobs, or, like Thailand - does it expire immediately?



If traveling outside of the country and you have a Visa and are working there - like if I'd visit Thailand from Korea/Japan and return - are there fees for returning - or free? Is leaving the country limited with a certain number of times with a VISA or no?


Are there places to mountain bike??? I really love it and haven't found much here in Thailand and nobody seems to do it.

Surfing in either country? Bodyboarding? Body Surfing? Waves of any sort?


Is there a LOT of drug use among the foreigners that teach or live in either country? In Thailand for instance, I'm one out of 12 in the office that does not smoke pot.


Hmm, I think that's it... OH! What about internet - broadband? I know Korea is wired. But, Japan? Is it fast? Is it expensive? Do they have wireless? Is it reliable?


Ok, if anyone could answer any of this I'd be so much better off...

[Glenski]

Vern,

[markle]

My situation is somewhat like yours only I've been here for a couple years now. I'll try not to double up on what Glenski has said. I don't know anything about Korea.

[AndyH]

I lived in Korea before moving to Japan, so will try to add my $.02:

If you like to cook, you may find the relatively-small Japanese kitchens hard to get used to. But, in Korea my kitchen was even smaller, and more spartan.
I don't personally know any Thai people, but I do have a student who is 1/2 Thai. In general, there seems to be more diversity in Japan, and it is my opinion that for the most part, foreigners tend to live more comfortably in Japan. Of course, we all know that there tends to be exceptions.
As far as surfing goes, I live in Chiba Prefecture, and lots of people here surf.
For safety, again the edge goes to Japan. You probably won't have to worry about getting your ass kicked here in japan for being non-Japanese. I can't say the same for Korea. Also, it is my perception that there tends to be less theft here.
As far as the other topics go, I think Glenski and Markle already answered them.
Good luck, whatever your decision is!

[markle]

Talked a bit with the wife about your situation and she agrees that unless you have a job lined up with a school prepared to help with getting a visa for both of you, your options are limited. The best bet would be for you to come here yourself, get set up and then bring your wife along after.

Just a thought, I have seen recruiters for Japanese schools operating out of Bangkok (ads in the Bkk Post). Also try Ajarn.com some of those guys might know someting.

Good luck

[furiousmilksheikali]

[Gordon]

[furiousmilksheikali]

[AndyH]

Thai Impulse:
There are some schools (mine included) which will sponsor your wife's visa, as a spouse of a person with a work visa.

[Glenski]

AndyH wrote:

[AndyH]

Thanks for seeting me straight.
But, I think some employers can assist in the legalities/paperwork, can't they?
I believe my school did, in order for a former co-worker to bring his wife with him.

[Glenski]

There is no "legality" to set straight. I have heard that some employers are kind enough to put the application materials for dependent visa in with their employee's work visa application when they add their own company paperwork. That's all. They are under no obligation to do so.

[Vince]

I had a Thai student who was in Japan for 14 years with her Japanese husband and two kids. She couldn't have been more welcome by the Japanese. You might hear stories about Chinese and Koreans being regarded poorly and used as scapegoats by the Japanese. Thai don't seem to get that treatment.

[sallycat]

you can rent an old house relatively cheaply, and they tend to have larger kitchens than apartments do.

[Khyron]

I've spend about a year in both countries, so I'll give it a go. I lived in a medium sized city in Korea, and I live in Tokyo currently.