Job Discussion Forums

[MidwestWanderer]

I noticed a posting by another individual worried about the impact of a DUI on his ability to get a license in Taiwan. My situation is somewhat different. I'm a PhD student in cultural anthropology at a US university, and I was planning to go on leave from my program after I finish this semester in order to teach abroad for a couple years. I was planning to look for work in Korea, but I'm interested in the rest of East Asia--particularly Taiwan--as well. My intentions in taking a hiatus in order to teach have to do with a longstanding desire to see this part of the world and the goal of possibly identifying a field site for future anthropological research.

Unfortunately, however, I was arrested for suspicion of driving while impaired in September, though no charges have been brought against me to this point. Clearly, this is inexcusable behavior, and my first response was to quit drinking altogether. In the event of a DWI conviction (misdemeanor), would I more or less become ineligible to teach in East Asia (Korea, given the recent upheaval over visas seems to be out of the question) or anywhere else for that matter? I have stellar grades, a good bit of experience as a teaching assistant (not sure if that would count for much), and a publication/conference presentation record. For what it's worth, I don't make any excuses for my actions, I'm just trying to move on in a positive, responsible manner.

[Taylor]

Dear MW,

Hope you are doing well.

I have heard that one of the largest chain schools (HESS) does background checks on individuals as part of the initial hiring process. However, 99% of the job opportunties would not be dependent on having a clean 'record' in one's home country.

I do recall that in 1999--when my Taiwanese wife and I got married in Taiwan--that I was asked to present a document that showed a clean record. My father just went down to the local, county sheriff's office and asked them to type up a little letter stating that I had no outstanding warrants. Keep in mind that this was in a small town where 'everyone knows everyone' and it was almost a decade ago.

In some European countries that based their laws on the German system, there is/was some well-known document that one could obtain showing one's criminal record (or preferably a lack thereof!) This may have been eliminated with the advent of the EU--not sure.

Feel free to e-mail me at taylorclint @ gmail.com if I could be of any further assistance.

Best wishes,

Taylor