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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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SeoulMan99
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:56 am Post subject: Korea vs. Taiwan for one year. |
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This is in reply to the "Disgrace and Humiliation" thread, where the quality of life in Korea for a foreigner is truly called into question.
Is this place truly this terrible? I am seriously considering going to Taiwan instead if this is the case. I wish I could go to Latin America, but the pay is crap, and I want to save, so that is a no go. This is a one year gig for me before going to grad school. The question is, is it better to suck it up in Korea since you can save decently and they pay your airfare/housing, or is it better to pay the upfront cost of going to Taiwan for one year. In Taiwan I know through a teaching position and tutoring privately you could make $2300 American/month. Lets see how they stack up:
Korea: PROS: free airfare/housing; low tax rate;
CONS: Cold weather; racist/xenophobic?
Monetary: 2.2 million
Taiwan: Pros: Weather; Nicer people?; Nightlife is better from what I have heard? I hear the women are more open to foreigners. Working hours. It is easy to tutor and the government does not pay people to turn you in. It is a beautiful island with warm weather.
Cons: Teacher pays airfare; rent (plus deposit of 1-2
months rent); 20% tax the first 6 months and then
10%.
Obviously I have not lived in either, so this is a third-party perspective based on the facts known such as salary/tax/weather, and the anecdotal evidence people describe from living in both places. |
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AgentM
Joined: 07 Jun 2009
Location: British Columbia, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:04 am Post subject: |
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Korea isn't that terrible. The incident in question was one isolated incident. Do NOT take everything that's said on Dave's as the Gospel truth.  |
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SeoulMan99
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:17 am Post subject: |
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| AgentM wrote: |
| Korea isn't that terrible. The incident in question was one isolated incident. Do NOT take everything that's said on Dave's as the Gospel truth. |
It's not really this incident with this customs agent that has me asking this question, but rather the various accusations people have made on this website. I like to experience things first before coming to a final conclusion, but I am coming over for at least one year of my life, and I am interested to hear others opinions on which place they would choose. I have lived in xenophobic countries before, where non-whites were quite literally threatened with violence. I do not expect anything near this level of venom in Korea, or Asia in general. Rather, it is an interesting question and comparison to ponder. |
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AgentM
Joined: 07 Jun 2009
Location: British Columbia, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:21 am Post subject: |
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| Bradley07 wrote: |
| AgentM wrote: |
| Korea isn't that terrible. The incident in question was one isolated incident. Do NOT take everything that's said on Dave's as the Gospel truth. |
It's not really this incident with this customs agent that has me asking this question, but rather the various accusations people have made on this website. I like to experience things first before coming to a final conclusion, but I am coming over for at least one year of my life, and I am interested to hear others opinions on which place they would choose. I have lived in xenophobic countries before, where non-whites were quite literally threatened with violence. I do not expect anything near this level of venom in Korea, or Asia in general. Rather, it is an interesting question and comparison to ponder. |
Well this has been repeated elsewhere to other posters, but remember that Dave's is a place where people come to vent and ask for advice when they have issues, and it's a very small minority of all the foreigners in Korea at that. All the nasty things said on Dave's are not necessarily representative. Just keep that in mind and take this place with a grain of salt! |
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SeoulMan99
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:24 am Post subject: |
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| AgentM wrote: |
| Bradley07 wrote: |
| AgentM wrote: |
| Korea isn't that terrible. The incident in question was one isolated incident. Do NOT take everything that's said on Dave's as the Gospel truth. |
It's not really this incident with this customs agent that has me asking this question, but rather the various accusations people have made on this website. I like to experience things first before coming to a final conclusion, but I am coming over for at least one year of my life, and I am interested to hear others opinions on which place they would choose. I have lived in xenophobic countries before, where non-whites were quite literally threatened with violence. I do not expect anything near this level of venom in Korea, or Asia in general. Rather, it is an interesting question and comparison to ponder. |
Well this has been repeated elsewhere to other posters, but remember that Dave's is a place where people come to vent and ask for advice when they have issues, and it's a very small minority of all the foreigners in Korea at that. All the nasty things said on Dave's are not necessarily representative. Just keep that in mind and take this place with a grain of salt! |
Thanks man. I've been wondering that very thing. It may be healthier for a newbie to actually avoid a site like this so that they can come to their own conclusions. |
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alphakennyone
Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Location: city heights
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:35 am Post subject: |
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AgentM is still in university, no?
The blind leading the blind. |
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SeoulMan99
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:03 am Post subject: |
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I have decided that the short-term monetary benefits of coming to Korea outweigh the pros of Taiwan. A flight to Taiwan now is near $1600 round-trip, plus $300/month rent for Taipei or Taichung, and $300-$600 for a security deposit. You also pay higher taxes, and most likely will need to buy a scooter, though not necessarily. From what I have read, Taiwan could possibly be a better place if you plan to stay for more than one year, as you can earn substantial amounts there through private tutoring, which in comparison I believe is possible in Korea, though it is more risky business it appears.
I will come back to this thread after I have real experience in the country to give my input then. From past experiences in foreign countries, I have seen first hand that it is all your mindset, and how you approach things. The people who were open-minded about a new culture and seriously gave learning the language a chance were happier than the people who did not and tried to understand it through their own culture, which made them draw negative stereotypes towards the different. |
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AgentM
Joined: 07 Jun 2009
Location: British Columbia, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:09 am Post subject: |
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| alphakennyone wrote: |
AgentM is still in university, no?
The blind leading the blind. |
It's not just me that's said that, I've seen other posters say this too, people that have lived in Korea. Besides, it's not that hard to figure out, you just have to apply some critical thinking (you know, that thing that you're supposed to learn in university). |
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AgentM
Joined: 07 Jun 2009
Location: British Columbia, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:11 am Post subject: |
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| Bradley07 wrote: |
| I will come back to this thread after I have real experience in the country to give my input then. From past experiences in foreign countries, I have seen first hand that it is all your mindset, and how you approach things. The people who were open-minded about a new culture and seriously gave learning the language a chance were happier than the people who did not and tried to understand it through their own culture, which made them draw negative stereotypes towards the different. |
I agree, a lot of it is one's mindset. Good luck with your year abroad, I'll be heading over to Korea after I grad next year! |
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alphakennyone
Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Location: city heights
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:18 am Post subject: |
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| Bradley07 wrote: |
I will come back to this thread after I have real experience in the country to give my input then. From past experiences in foreign countries, I have seen first hand that it is all your mindset, and how you approach things. The people who were open-minded about a new culture and seriously gave learning the language a chance were happier than the people who did not and tried to understand it through their own culture, which made them draw negative stereotypes towards the different. |
But you have to wonder why there are so many more complaints about Korea than Taiwan, Japan, and possibly even China. Were the people who came to Korea more closed-minded than those who went to the other countries? Maybe, considering the fact it (is/used to be) so much easier to get a job in Korea and jump on a free flight compared to a lot of other countries that any bumpkin could just come to Korea and be disappointed. But then again, I've met people who at most finished community college in their small Utah shires and were headed to China, so I can't say they are likely to be worldly or open-minded.
But the level of deep bitterness that Korea generates in a significant number of people...I just don't see it on other boards. |
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SeoulMan99
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:46 am Post subject: |
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| alphakennyone wrote: |
| Bradley07 wrote: |
I will come back to this thread after I have real experience in the country to give my input then. From past experiences in foreign countries, I have seen first hand that it is all your mindset, and how you approach things. The people who were open-minded about a new culture and seriously gave learning the language a chance were happier than the people who did not and tried to understand it through their own culture, which made them draw negative stereotypes towards the different. |
But you have to wonder why there are so many more complaints about Korea than Taiwan, Japan, and possibly even China. Were the people who came to Korea more closed-minded than those who went to the other countries? Maybe, considering the fact it (is/used to be) so much easier to get a job in Korea and jump on a free flight compared to a lot of other countries that any bumpkin could just come to Korea and be disappointed. But then again, I've met people who at most finished community college in their small Utah shires and were headed to China, so I can't say they are likely to be worldly or open-minded.
But the level of deep bitterness that Korea generates in a significant number of people...I just don't see it on other boards. |
And this is what still worries me. Statistically it is hard to believe that the vast majority of people coming to Korea are more close-minded, or naive than those who go to these other countries. I live in one of the three largest American cities, and so I am not a bumpkin and I have been exposed to ALL kinds of ethnicities and nationalities. I have met great Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Taiwanese people here. I have a couple of offers from around Guangzhou near Hong Kong, with air and housing. I have seriously considered this, but the pay isn't as great. However, you get substantial vacation time and a 10 month contract. I will give Korea a chance and if it is so terrible, or if my school is terrible, then maybe I'll look to other countries for the second semester of a public school in China. I do not break contract easily, as it is an agreement in my name, so I would only do such in drastic circumstances. People stay in Korea for many years, so it can't be as terrible as everyone says.
I was in various Latin American countries, which are considered dangerous, and I never really found evidence to support the xenophobia many North Americans exhibit towards these locations. At the worst, this may help teach people how to properly treat others, as it is the first time they are a minority and treated as such.
That said, the bitterness you describe really does worry me. I have seen similar complaints about Taiwan and China also, but not to the extent as here. The main difference noted is that some of the descriptions of Korea describe quite venomous exchanges, bordering on hatred of foreigners.
I understand that the US military has been there many years, and GIs have done horrible things to civilians, or they're just plain rude. What irks me though is the lack of appreciation that the American military has held the Communist North at bay for all these years throughout and after the Cold War. With the landing of the Russians in Manchuria to fight the Japanese, they surely would have taken the entire country under their' rule, and it would be a very different place today if it was not for the United States. Of course we have done many terrible things, including propping up an authoritative regime, but simply they would not be where they are now if it was not for the blood and money spent on the soil of the Korean motherland by the good old U.S. of A. |
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Epicurus
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Bradley07 wrote: |
I have decided that the short-term monetary benefits of coming to Korea outweigh the pros of Taiwan. A flight to Taiwan now is near $1600 round-trip, plus $300/month rent for Taipei or Taichung, and $300-$600 for a security deposit. You also pay higher taxes, and most likely will need to buy a scooter, though not necessarily. From what I have read, Taiwan could possibly be a better place if you plan to stay for more than one year, as you can earn substantial amounts there through private tutoring, which in comparison I believe is possible in Korea, though it is more risky business it appears.
I will come back to this thread after I have real experience in the country to give my input then. From past experiences in foreign countries, I have seen first hand that it is all your mindset, and how you approach things. The people who were open-minded about a new culture and seriously gave learning the language a chance were happier than the people who did not and tried to understand it through their own culture, which made them draw negative stereotypes towards the different. |
this probably depends on what you'd make in Taiwan.
are you converting to USD?
Their currency has remained quite strong thru the turmoil, unlike Korea's which is probably the worst one outside of say Zimbabwe. |
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nosmallplans
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: noksapyeong
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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| word on the street is that they don't speak of lick of english in taiwan. between the lack of basic english skills and the complete lack of english signage, i'm told living in taiwan can get very difficult for non-chinese speaking residents. |
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jlb
Joined: 18 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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| nosmallplans wrote: |
| word on the street is that they don't speak of lick of english in taiwan. between the lack of basic english skills and the complete lack of english signage, i'm told living in taiwan can get very difficult for non-chinese speaking residents. |
Have you been to Taiwan?
Not that I'm an expert on anything....but I traveled around Taiwan (outside Taipei as well) for over a week and didn't speak a word of Chinese. It went pretty okay actually, easier than Korea for the most part in terms of random people at bus stops and in restaurants speaking English. However, signage and tourist information were not up to Korean standards. |
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nosmallplans
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: noksapyeong
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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| jlb wrote: |
| nosmallplans wrote: |
| word on the street is that they don't speak of lick of english in taiwan. between the lack of basic english skills and the complete lack of english signage, i'm told living in taiwan can get very difficult for non-chinese speaking residents. |
Have you been to Taiwan?
Not that I'm an expert on anything....but I traveled around Taiwan (outside Taipei as well) for over a week and didn't speak a word of Chinese. It went pretty okay actually, easier than Korea for the most part in terms of random people at bus stops and in restaurants speaking English. However, signage and tourist information were not up to Korean standards. |
nope, never been, that's why i started with "word on the street" but i suppose that probably wasn't the most clear way of putting that.
here's where i got that idea from: few weeks back i met a malaysian-american girl visiting seoul for the weekend who was the english-language adviser to the taiwan board of tourism. while she was extolling the great wonders that is living in and visiting taiwan she also told me that it can be really tough to get around and/or live in the non-touristy parts of taiwan - where an english teacher would actually live.
in fact, as her chinese wasn't in tiptop shape she said that it was quite difficult for her to get around and was going on for a while about how they need to add english to signage around taiwan like they do in korea.
whatever.
i dont give a lick about taiwan. i may or may not ever go there (closer to never as i failed to clinch and ended up putting her in a cab instead of getting in with her at the end of the night). so if you dont like korea, then really, you don't have many options if you plan on still making bank, so do what you gotta do. |
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