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LURKER
Joined: 26 Mar 2009
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:06 pm Post subject: Korea vs. Taiwan vs. China |
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(Crossposting my post from Forumosa to get a perspective from those in Korea)
http://forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=77210
I might be going to Korea or Taiwan soon, and basically I'm wondering how people find living different in each country? I've spent time in Korea and China but not Taiwan, so they're sort of the frame of reference I'm working with here.
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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I lived in Taiwan in '94-'95. I find living in/working in Korea much easier.
One main reason is that learning to read Korean is much, much easier than learning to read Chinese. At that time there wasn't much in the way of English on street signs and menus in Taiwan, so getting around and eating in restaurants was a problem. Also, Korean is easier to pronounce so I don't have a significant problem with taxi drivers here like I did in Taiwan.
My second big disappointment about Taiwan was the weather. I really, really don't like tropical weather and Taiwan is too tropical for me. The winter days were fine--just a long-sleeve shirt; winter evenings out and about were fine--just a jacket; but sleeping was chilly because there was no central heating.
I was not happy with the scooter exhaust fumes polluting the air in Tainan where I lived. It was pretty bad most of the time. The air in the places I've lived in Korea has not been bad. |
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Guri Guy

Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Location: Bamboo Island
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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I have not worked in Taiwan but I have found the Taiwanese people that I have met to be much more laid back. The food there also destroys Korean food. There really is no contest in that area.
If you live outside of Taipei you can save a fair amount of money I've heard.
Here is a good forum you might want to check out:
http://www.forumosa.com/taiwan/ |
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LURKER
Joined: 26 Mar 2009
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks guys. The posters over at Forumosa seem to agree that the people over there are more laid back than in Korea.
As the food situation goes, I quite like Korean Although Chinese doesn't go down badly either. |
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moosehead

Joined: 05 May 2007
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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I've only worked in K but visited both Taiwan and China - altho I've met other teachers from China and they liked teaching there, I think after reading both the China boards on Dave's and working in K, China would drive me nuts as it's so clear that every habit Ks have that seem to get under the skin of westerners comes from C.
I do like visiting C, tho, and think the people are mostly great and the kids better behaved more or less.
Taiwan, wow, I really liked Taiwan and have said it before, if I knew I'd like T so much I'd have gone there instead. A lot of diversity, the people are great and yes, the food is fantastic! |
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mheartley
Joined: 18 Oct 2008
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:49 am Post subject: |
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Between China and Korea, if the money's about the same I'd go for China but I'd stay in a bigger city. Never worked in Taiwan but I visited a couple of months ago and was really surprised at how friendly the people were. They're a much friendlier, warmer, chattier version of Chinese (girls who actually smile at you on the subway?). Have to say though it wasn't near as advanced as I was expecting it to be. I also thought in hindsight I'd have loved to have spent one of my teaching years there. |
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LURKER
Joined: 26 Mar 2009
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: |
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Seems I should really consider Taiwan!
Having posed this question to the Forumosans, I wan't surprised to find that the people over there favour Taiwan - and posting this over here, seems you guys prefer Taiwan as well!
T-T But I really like the whole flight reimbursement and free accommodation thing.
Oh and Korean food.  |
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