Job Discussion Forums

[tortoise]

Hello all,

I am a caucasian 29 year old male from the USA with a bachelors degree and two times experience teaching English- in japan a long time ago and in Poland this last year. I also have a Trinity TEFL certificate. I envy many people and I'm sure based on what I've just said, others will envy me. So it is.

I'm considering Taiwan because I'm finding it a challenge to get a job in western Europe w/o a European passport.

I have been to Taiwan once before, visiting a friend who studied there with his girlfriend. He lived in Taipei but also we visited Kenting and another place.

I like Taiwan because it was beautiful, because there wasn't so many foreigners, because the people were friendly. I liked it because the climate wasn't so harsh, though I went in Spring, in March and I don't know how it would vary. I really loved how many parks there were in Taipei and how much fruit was for sale. I didn't eat at many restaurants, but I see reading on this forum that the food is oily and greasy, which isn't good. I'm a vegetarian who will eat organic dairy and eggs of high quality if the animal was treated well, but I can also survive vegan, on carbohydrates, but I don't want grease or especially MSG. I can be flexible it is not hard. I like Taiwan because I don't remember it being noisy or polluted. This is why I am afraid to teach in China.

It would be niec to learn Chinese as they own the United States and they will be major world players. I'm not sure though once I got to Taiwan if I would continue to be happy. I might miss my own culture, get lonely, I don't know.

I remember the children from the schools would look at me. I remember they looked so polite and attentive, and my friend said I could easily get a job teaching them, just singing songs and entertaining them and get paid a lot of money. He did not have his degree yet so he couldn't get hired, but he said I could do it. That was a few years ago. He said even an assistant in the school would take care of the children's hygiene and other issues.

So I am considering Taiwan, but I wanted everybody's input, and confirmation or refutation of what I have said thusfar. Any insight is much appreciated.

And if-when I decide to apply, what is the best way, what are my chances? I prefer to get my job before going there, rather than flying there first and then looking. Xie Xie

ps Taiwanese culture struck me as more conscious than other asian countries, at least to my mindset. I mean it seemed they had more pride, more dignity, more authenticity and desire for hygiene and cleanliness. I remember the bus we took from the south back to Taipei was super nice and even had tv screens. But I am not referring to that but to the abundance of parks, modest noise and air pollution, to the civility of the people. This is what I like and this is what would make me shun China from what I imagine china to be. I hope my memory is accurate

[Taylor]

Dear Tortoise, You need to spend about 2-3 hours searching through the posts from the past year or so....

[adogadie]

I am just curious why you feel the need to tell us your race. In fact, I have been finding a lot of posts here starting out with the usual cliche that they are Caucasian or white; which leads me to believe that race is not as much as a social construct as we are to believe it to be under the left wing governments of the West. I guess that race is real; especially if you have to tell us. Otherwise it wouldn't really matter.

Yeah, it gets pretty hot here in the summer, and the food is often greasy and oily which makes it tasty. I am also a vegetarian and I have no problems with getting plenty of meatless meals.

The best way to find a job is go through the immigration hoops, get your 60 day visiting visa, and fly out here with at least 2000 USD or 1500 Euros and hit the streets like a hungry man and find yourself a teaching job. But it would be helpful to look around this forum and get more insights first. Good luck.