Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sluggo832004]

I hear tons of people speak good things about Taiwan.


Obviously Ive never been. But is it really the place to be in 2010?

[Hotwire]

Things I heard from two friends who spent more than a year there.

1. More westernised.

2. WAY better food.

3. Some things cheaper.

4. Jobs suck even compared to a Korean haggie (unless you get a public or international school gig.)

5. Money way better in Korea and lower taxes etc.

6. Easier set up in Korea re apts etc.

7. The south of Taiwan is sub tropical and gorgeous.

8. Taiwanese (not me saying this madoka, I've never been there) people more genuine towards foriegners and more friendly / happier in general.

[kardisa]

I think it really depends on what your motivation is in going there.

In terms of quality of life, I thought it was a great place. The people are friendly, prices are cheap, the food is good, and there are a ton of activities to do in your free time (kite-surfing, rock climbing, hiking, bar-hopping, etc.).

However, I wouldn't recommend it as a good place to work. Hours are long, the pay is low, and finding a good teaching job isn't exactly easy (unless you're a certified teacher).

Edit: As Hotwire mentioned, taxes are higher. Also, apartments and flights aren't included like they are in Korea, so you're going to outlay a lot of money your first month for set-up costs.

[bharville]

[southernman]

I knew two English girl's who did runners from Taiwan after 3 months work because of the conditions.

Your choice, luck of the draw really....

But having to pay for flights, apartments and working longer hours, doesn't apeal to me

[dumpring]

Taiwan is amazing. I've been there twice but not for work so I couldn't really comment on that. My only gripe was the temp during mid-summer, otherwise I loved everything about the place.

[Forest]

[Paladin Brewer]

[Hotwire]

True and he never said it didn't. ^

[mm]

Why does everybody want strange people coming up to them and trying to befriend them? I hate it. When I lived in China, it was probably one of my biggest annoyances. I couldn't even do simple tasks without some dipshit asking me if I can eat spicy, if I can use chopsticks and then asking if i will be their friend. I love Korea because it rarely happens. You also have to remember that people in PRC are incredibly 'friendly' but usually because they have ulterior motives. Free English lessons, bragging about their foreign friends etc.

Sorry, never been to Taiwan.

[misher]

[captain kirk]

I worked in Peitou, suburb of Taipei, at Hess franchise. They did mass hires from the U.S. The curriculum was preset and very well prepared. This sounds unbelievable considering, if you've ever seen them, Korean preset curriculum. And, believe it or not, the philosophy was 'give and take'. Give learning games and fun learning methods that seem like games and take progress in learning for the kids. Large 'pockets' made of vinyl, hanging on the wall, for a prop, etc. That was my third hagwon job (after two in Korea) and it was very instructive re; 'give and take'.

Yes you have to put down a deposit. Sometimes the boss will help you locate a place. My friend's gf helped me get an 8th floor rooftop with tons of plants up their already watered by the landlady way downstairs. And hagwon owners receive more applicants because more people, particularly Americans, want to work in Taiwan (an American connection in the state of military preparedness re; China). I never had anyone pester me with dumb, solicitous attitudes like the two posters above remark about. I just noticed Taiwanese don't regard foreigners as from Mars or Venus as Korean people pump up the 'alien agenda' we seem to have.

It's subtropical and I loved it. Scooters are all over the place. The seas contain brilliant tropical sealife that Cheju only hints at. The interior has mountains higher than Korea's mountains. And the highest in Taiwan has snow on top, even though Taiwan is subtropical. Indiginous people in the interior are of Polynesian stock (look like Hawaiians) having arrived in the neolithic by canoe. On the plain are folks, more recently arrived, across the strait from China. There are more venemous snakes in the woods than in Korea. The beaches are fantastic. The traditional architecture of houses and temples are brick. The Chinese habit of NYears fireworks. The interior is mountainous beauty, with steep fruit orchards on terraces. It really is an unbelievable place. Formosa, in Portugeese, means 'beautiful island'. There is a tradition of raising enormous pigs and putting them on display at a carnival as a Lunar New Years good luck thing. Red is seen all over, bad luck in Korea. Red houses, rooves, decorations. Nightmarkets open until the middle of the night, with cart food and ice drinks. As smoggy as the cities are potted plants and palms are on the edge of the sidewalk. Jade and other semiprecious stones are valued and available at the weekend jade and plant market. The National Musuem contains the primo Chinese national cultural heirlooms brought over by Chang Kai Shek. Kids have never seen snow and want to hear about the concept. The cheap corner buffets are delicious. Surfing on the Pacific side. People drink black tea. There are banyan trees. Outdoor, urban, street eateries around various cooking carts, sitting on folding chairs around light metal tables. Urban areas feel like small neighbourhoods, kind of like Italian bistro culture.

One vital, important difference is that in Korea there's the one year contract which is more or less honoured. Strong beurocracy gov't control. In Taiwan there is more fooling around, there's a SE Asian influence that way. Sometimes it's shady jobs going off to HK and back to renew a tourist visa. South Africans, and I have NOTHING against S'Africans, favour the south of Taiwan and will take considerably less money for the same work. But on the whole many/most jobs are gov't visa sponsored.

[northway]

[kardisa]

[northway]