Job Discussion Forums

[Kealo]

Hello all,

I am thinking about coming to Taiwan in August to look for a job. I am an American with a BA in Liberal Studies. I do not have any formal teaching experience. However, I have tutored English to children (K-8 ) for a few years, and I also have coaching / mentoring experience.

Will I be able to find a job on the east coast (no specific area in mind)? Surfing is my passion, so I'd like to be able to surf daily when there are waves. I live quite simply and don't find much pleasure in city life, though I'm not totally opposed to it. Money is not a large concern, though being able to save a bit would be nice.

I have heard people warning against working in rural Taiwan, but what are the downsides? I'm not concerned about boredom or loneliness.

My current idea is to arrive in early August and make my way to the east coast. Is it possible to get around the island using public transportation?

Would I be able to find a job in a small town? Or should I go straight to the more populated areas such as Yilan or Hualien?

Lots of questions, I know. I'm just trying to figure out whether or not this is a feasible plan.

[ESL Hobo]

I have heard a lot of good things about Yilan and Hualien, that being, that people are much easier going than in Taipei.
I have been to both cities. Yilan is quite nice, loads of spas and swimming pools, I dont know much about the surfer scene there but you might find something out about it at tealit.com.
Hualien is more majestic with tall mountains near the sea.
I have taught in a rural setting once in the center of tW and I can't say I enjoyed it, the little kids were great, K-3, but the evening classes with bored country boys age 12-15 was overwhelming and out of control, lots of horse play. They were fun loving good natured boys and I did like them but actually teaching them anything was difficult.
The best way to travel the east coast is by train, which I have done, train to Hualien, I enjoyed it, but trains arent everyone's cup of tea. Most people go to Kending, at the south tip of the island for surfing. Hualien is 7 hours from Kending, so its doable but tight for a weekend trip unless you fly. south of Hualien is Taidong, it's 3 and a half hours from Kending, so a weekend getaway by train or bus to go surfing would be easy. So check out Taidong, see if you can find any schools there listed on Tealit.com.

hope this helps
best of luck

[ESL Hobo]

Taidong is also spelled:

Taitung.
I went there for the weekend once to stay in a Hotel and Spa resort.
It was very nice. We drove down there from Taipei. I didn't go into town so I can't say much about the locals but the area was hilly with lots of greenery.