Job Discussion Forums

[carleenmarie]

Hello all. I was hoping some of you vets could give me some advice: Taiwan or Korea? (and which areas/cities in those countries?) I've narrowed it down to those 2 b/c of the pay and the low cost of living. I don't have experience teaching English, but plan on taking a TEFL course before I leave, and I have a BA in English.

I need to be able to pay bills- I have about $15K b/n student loans and credit cards. I'd love to be able to pay some of that down, but if I only manage US$500/ month or so, I'd be cool with it. One of my big priorities is going to be travelling around and exploring that part of the world. Is either country better as far as vacation time is concerned?

So what am I looking for? Well, I'm an outdoorsy person- love hiking, boating, biking, camping, historic things. Having great places to go on weekends/holidays within the country is pretty key (and people to go with). I've also heard there's decent diving in Taiwan, which would be a nice plus as I'm certified.

Also like to party- not in an extreme sense, as in heading oversees to go on a year-long bender, but I like going out, and want to be someplace where others do too. I don't need to have posh clubs around (although it can be nice one in awhile)- a decent cozy bar works just as well for me.

I'd like to have a decent amount of Westerners around. Not that I don't want to mix with the locals, but from what I've read about Korea, I figure you have to be realistic going in.

One final thing- I am thinking that January is going to be the earliest I can get the hell out of Dodge. Does either country fit better with this timeline?

Thanks everyone!

[bonanzabucks]

Considering you want to pay off your debt, you would probably save more money in Korea. Korean schools generally offer the best packages, including free accommodation. That in itself saves a bundle.

I can't really comment on Taiwan because I haven't been there, but I hear the salaries are more or less the same and the cost of living might be a bit lower, but you generally don't have your accommodations covered for you.

However, I heard it's easier to meet people in Taiwan. Koreans really stick to themselves and some can be pretty racist. But, judging by your username, you're a girl so you might not feel that as much because a lot of Koreans hate Western guys because they're jealous of them dating Korean women. Korean women are kind of hard to break, so you probably won't be friends with them on a really deep level.

Now, the party scene. Korea's is pretty good in the bigger cities. Koreans sure love to drink.

For travel, Korea is a good place to travel from and airfares are cheap. I hear Taiwan is good for that too.

Meeting Westerners. Well, if you're looking for a boyfriend, Korea will not be a good place for you. Korean guys are either too shy or only want to date within their own race and Western guys are too enamored with the local ladies. Considering how well Korean girls take care of themselves and how much time they take for their appearance, I don't blame the guys. Actually, a lot of guys go over to Asia and teach ESL just to meet the women. So unless you're really hot, you're going to have a tough time meeting guys. That's just the way it is there.

Outdoorsy...Korea is a mountainous country, so lots of good hiking there. But Korean beaches suck. Never been to Jeju Island, so I can't comment on that as I heard it's actually quite nice. Not sure about the cleanliness, though.

Maybe someone else can comment on Taiwan.

[just4u]

...

[tedkarma]

I believe there is a similar thread on the General Discussion board that you might want to check out.

I worked in both countries - six years total in Korea (two times) and two years in Taiwan.

If saving money is the priority - you can probably save about 50% more in Korea - that was my experience.

However, overall quality of life, for me, was higher in Taiwan with just much friendlier people.

[carleenmarie]

I appreciate everyone's input. Truth be told, I'm gravitating slightly toward Taiwan right now, but I suppose when you begin to really examine the reality of bills, cold hard cash might trump what my gut's telling me.

As for the whole boyfriend thing, I'm not hugely concerned about it. Just got out of a relationship, so sort of reveling in the single life right now. Would I be averse to meeting some dashing man in Taipai? Hell, no. But I also recognize that Denver or Raleigh are probably better places to move if I'm looking for love.

As far as meeting Westerners goes, I just want to be around people I can party with, talk to, and travel with. Male or female. Single or attached. I'm a very social person, I am always surrounded by friends, and while an evening of solitude can be pleasant, I'd prefer if that solitude arrived because I wanted it that way- not because I'm bored to tears in a country where I know no one.

The arguing thing? Well, I briefly flirted with a career in law, so let's just say I don't entirely mind a spirited discussion.