Job Discussion Forums

jdkrone · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 9

I understand the downsides of teaching in Taiwan, and I'd just like to be prepared for them, and if possible, learn some ways of successfully navigating through rubble.

I read all the time, "it's hard to save in the beginning, but after 6... months...1 year, 2 years... it gets easier". I would like to know WHY it's hard to save...initial fees? Unforeseen expenses? And if it's a budgetary issue, well, I'd like some tips on budgeting and how to save, or steer away from those first few months of "not being able to save".

Also, I'll be arriving in mid-january....how can I give my CV/resume an edge in this competitive market? Is there anything I can do in the next 4 months? Learning Mandarin seems like it would help, but can what I could realistically achieve with the language in 4 months give me much of an edge? What do you think?

Sorry for being so long winded, I guess this has just been on my mind now for a while and I've had trouble finding answers.

jd

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 3:15 am Post subject:

It's not just a matter of saving, it's also a matter of recovering your start-up costs.

If your airfare is $1800 and then you need another $2000 to keep you going until you start receiving a pay cheque, that's $3800 right off the bat. Then, once you're settled in your apartment, you'll probably want to buy some things to make it more comfortable, and maybe some form of transportation too. So now you've invested around $4500.

Then for the first six months you will be taxed at a rate of 20%.

This is why it takes six months to a year to begin saving in earnest.

And if you are one of the unfortunates who gets fired after a month or two, then you have the added expense of doing a visa run, coming back, and searching for work all over again. So, that means it will take even longer to start saving.

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

Learning Chinese won't help at all unless you were going for a specific job that required Chinese. If your position is just the standard chain school gig then the best thing you can do is learn to say YES to everything, mentally prepare yourself to work and do things that aren't in your contract and get a friend to punch you in the nuts/other female organ if you are a woman and manage to hold a smile. Doing that would ensure that no boss ever fire you because you are a yes man and manage to hold a smile all through it.

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

Three other important matters to not neglect:

1. You pay 20% tax for the first 183 days.

2. If you're in an apartment you will need to pay a bond. This is two months, maybe three months, rent.

3. As is the case with any newbie you won't find all the local haunts that allow you to shop for much less than when you first arrive.

Taylor · Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 384 Location: Texas/Taiwan

Hi Everyone,

I think some of the previous replies are sort of a "worst case scenario."

With websites such as this one, Facebook, Yahoo groups, Tealit, etc., I'm sure that most new teachers have some connections established before arrival.

Also, online banking should help. For example, someone could use a credit card to buy the airline ticket, luggage, etc. Then, use one's balance in checking or savings to move funds over to make the credit card payment each month. (This would be extremely easy with Bank of America, and I presume that all major banks nowadays could accommodate such needs.)

Also, once you get settled and begin to have some extra cash, it should be possible to wire money to oneself (that is, to the US/Canadian bank account). Can anyone elaborate on this? Since I'm married to a Taiwanese lady, we've just always used her name as the sender and my name as the recipient--even when I was still there in Taiwan.

Best wishes.

Taylor

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

jdkrone · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 9

I do have specific reasons for Taiwan actually. One being the MOE/MOFA/NSC scholarships. My gf and I are interested in applying for a masters program in February for the following fall. Pretty sweet deal actually, they even pay a stipend of NT30,000/month, not to mention free tuition.

Weather is also a factor. I guess the weather in the parts of china are basically the same, but I have never really given too much thought to china. I guess it's short plane ride away. Personally, I am really just in love with the idea of Taiwan, and tickets were only $583 on China Airlines. I planned on arriving and touring the country with my resume in hand, of course. I never gave much thought to China but have heard about a reputable placement agency "Buckland Intl".

I guess China wouldn't be such a bad deal, however would I require a TEFL-type certificate?

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

Have you actually got the scholarship yet? I know in the past they were very easy to get but that has changed. I also put in for one six months ago and was denied. Good luck.

jdkrone · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 9

Crztor,

No I haven't. What I've come to understand is that the scholarship gives priority to those who have ready been accepted into a Taiwanese university degree program.

Unofficially, I've been told that it's extremely difficult to receive the scholarship for a Bachelors degree, and rather easy for a Masters. I've also been told that a 3.0 GPA in previous studies is required just to have your application get past the first gate. What was your situation like?