Job Discussion Forums

[johnshoe118]

Hello All,

I am a college grad seeking to live abroad, utilizing teaching as the means to do so.

I am finding the location to teach a difficult task to get through.

What I am looking for is a few people to give me a country by country breakdown. I'm looking for those who can explain the essence of a country- It's people (attitudes towards foreigner is a big one), culture (food, daily acitivites, attitudes, values), pros and cons, and so on.

I need to make $, so a special focus on MOD EDIT Taiwan, Japan, China would be appreciated ( from what I understand, salary+benefits are in the order stated above [best to worst]).

My brief amount of research thus far indicates to me that:

MOD EDIT: The Korea Job Discussion Forums exist to discuss living and teaching in Korea. Separate registration is required: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/profile.php?mode=register

Korea focused postings or threads here on the International board will be deleted or edited.

Taiwan - Weather is excellent. People are friendly, more excited to meet foreigners. Culture I am unsure of, very industrial place = pollution. Small island with nice trips to southern beaches, but elsewise normal activites (hiking , karoake?). Complaint from most is that it lacks the 'exotic'. MOD EDIT

Japan - Weather? People are a mixed bag. Very exciting to live and explore. Culture is super rich. COL is expensive.More difficult to get a job.Bottom line - Japan is a great place but is pricey and require high lv language proficiency to teach. Learning Japanese is a def plus

China - Weather is good. people are mixed. Culture is rich. Industrial = pollution. Lots to explore in large country.Wages low-moderate. COL low. Learn Chinese ++

That is just my very quick rundown. I obviously missed important aspects of choosing a location. I am open to anything, though $ is somewhat limiting.

If anyone has first hand experience and would like to share - I am very appreciative! I have lived abroad before, and it is dificult to describe the vibe, the feel of a place, but somehow I am asking for the basic Q's to e answered along with this 'vibe' question

Thanks so much
Josh

[Glenski]

[johnshoe118]

In terms of making $.. I was refering to the salary offered in comparison to the cost of living. While Japan might pay.. say.. 2000USD per month, so does Taiwan, yet Taiwan has a cheaper COL.
If I can sock away a few thousand dollars at the end of the year..say 5k-10k.. that would be great.
Need ot be able to write a $300 check each month at least.

[darkmarsh77]

From what I have discover through researching, China will not be the best choice for trying to save some money. Salaries are just way too low, especially if you aren't there to negotiate better terms.

[darkmarsh77]

From what I have discover through researching, China will not be the best choice for trying to save some money. Salaries are just way too low, especially if you aren't there to negotiate better terms.

[darkmarsh77]

From what I have discover through researching, China will not be the best choice for trying to save some money. Salaries are just way too low, especially if you aren't there to negotiate better terms.

[kotoko]

Currently I'm deciding what to do next year when I leave Japan, and a big thing for me (and might be something for you to consider too) is job safety and visa handling. From what I gather, in Korea, your visa is not your property so if you and your boss don't see eye to eye, you could get into a bit of a pickle. In China too, I have heard many horror stories of jobs and living sitations not being as they were on the advert. Taiwan is probably (from my point of view) safer job wise than China or Korea but there are rules (like no teaching kindergarten kids) that are ignored on a regular basis. Play by the rules and you can hinder yourself and your money making potential, but break the rules and you'll be scared if the police come sniffing round.

[Glenski]