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Ryst Helmut

Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Location: In search of the elusive signature...
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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In before the lock!
But yeah....my Taiwanese students are MUCH MUCH MUCH better than my Korean students. If I didn't have so much invested in Korea I'd be off to Taiwan (after Turkey, of course).
!shoosh
Ryst |
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sparkx
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: thekimchipot.com
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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Ryst Helmet wrote: |
In before the lock! |
Why would this thread get locked?? When the hell did statements like "its easy to score in Taiwan" become a lockable offense?? |
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Ryst Helmut

Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Location: In search of the elusive signature...
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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It's the "name calling"....but then again, I never did read the 'rules.'
I did it in jest with another poster who was also retorting in jest...but the thread got locked. I asked why, I was told it was locked because of the same thing going/starting here.
No me importa.
!shoosh
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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I worked in Taiwan for 9 months in between stints in Korea. I didn't enjoy it as much.
For one thing, I'm not fond of tropical weather. I hated waking up at 7am in a pool of sweat. Then it got worse.
I found the Chinese to be cooler toward foreigners. Cooler in that they didn't stare and cooler in that they didn't particularly want to meet a foreigner. They just seemed cool to the whole idea. I've had hundreds of pleasant conversations with convenience store clerks in Korea. Zero in Taiwan. (Just one example.)
I was working for a bushie ban owner who ended up in the pokey. Crooked hakwon owners is not Korea-specific.
Chinese is a lot harder to learn to speak and impossible to learn to read. (IMO). There was almost no English on signs or menus anywhere in Tainan, where I lived.
Earthquakes made me nervous. My room had one glass wall. I couldn't pull my bed far enough away from it when the earthquakes were shaking the glass.
Scooters are everywhere and the resulting pollution can be pretty bad.
The beach in Tainan had dead dogs and rusty tin cans all over it. Not very nice.
Winter weather is nice. You only need a jacket at night. That's good because you already have it on when you go to bed. There isn't any central heating.
I know these are all negatives, but I didn't hate Taiwan. I just don't want to go back to live/work there. |
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Zark

Joined: 12 May 2003 Location: Phuket, Thailand: Look into my eyes . . .
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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I taught at a small college just outside Taipei (for two years). Loved it. I like Chinese culture and enjoyed learning Chinese. It is difficult yes, but Chinese characters are fascinating to me.
I found it to be a much more relaxed culture - though there is a system of favors/obligations in the culture that can be wearisome (particularly at work).
Yes, Taiwan itself is beautiful. Just a few minutes outside any town is incredible countryside.
One plus is that most Taiwanese have a relative living somewhere else in the world - often in the West and they don't have the provencial thinking of the Koreans. You'll find them quite world wise.
Personally, I quite liked the fact that they didn't stare or wet their pants over seeing a foreigner. I got over wanting to be special back in '92. Just want to live my life and enjoy myself.
Last edited by Zark on Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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PaperTiger

Joined: 31 May 2005 Location: Ulaanbataar
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:32 pm Post subject: Taiwan is cool? |
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Every place has its ups and downs...but I've heard some of the ups and downs of Taiwan is bolder gangsters and even bolder theives. I've read on the internet (if you can believe anything you read THERE) that you really have to choose your battles more wisely there and really lock your goods up tight. Any insight on that score?
I imagine the food is better there...but it's just as Confucian if not more there. |
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paperbag princess

Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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as a veggie, i was very impressed at how wonderful the food is. and they understand vegetarian. there's none of this "ham isn't meat" b.s that you have here.
i think i'm going after this contract. |
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joe_doufu

Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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itaewonguy wrote: |
but just before you said you love taiwan but the free ticket here and the severance is what keeps you here... DUDE! there is more to life than 2grand at the end of 12 months of hell! if you like taiwan better.. then you should be there. does money control your life? |
DUDE! if i was considering a midnight run... i wouldn't write about it here! |
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Moldy Rutabaga

Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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I loathed Taipei.. unceasing rain every time I've been there or passed through, dirt, high prices, bored to tears. Now, that's just me and other experiences may differ. But I would spend a little time there before taking a job.
Ken:> |
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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Taiwan is a good place to NOT drink. The alcohol is the worst, unless you stick to strictly foreign stuff like wine or liquor. Even "Corona" is crappy there. Is it made in CHina?
The TV was good. Several good movie channels like Cinemax and HBO.
Taipei is a concrete jungle, not that pleasant except you don't feel like a foreign freak and there are pretty good western amenities. And it isn't so hard to get out of Taipei on a bus.
Boredom is a big complaint there. But I think it is in Korea too.
Some good food. Some not so good. Cheap buffet-style restaurants abound, and they can usually do the job.
The language barrier is not so bad in Taipei. Outside the city I think it is big.
The weather is warmer. It rains more. There are more c-ckroaches, that fly. It's rather dirty. Rent can be expensive in Taipei. I could have stayed in Taichung at a great apt big enough for 3 people for cheaper (maybe $250 a month) by myself! than at a small room in Taipei (maybe $300).
The visa process is a hassle. Had to visit Hong Kong twice. Seems almost everyone worKs illegally for a month or so at least.
Friendlier people. They don't drink much. And more interest in meeting and forming friendships with foreigners.
Having a co-teacher in the classroom can help a lot. I was at a small place where no Chinese was allowed. That was easier for sure. And some schedules can be slack. Monthly pay, or hourly pay: both exist. I believe privates are legal.
It's possible to live cheap if you don't go out much! Same as here I guess. |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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Taiwanese women strike me as a lot more down to earth than Koreans. They also communicate a bit more honestly and openly. At school, there is also a bit more of a proffessional work ethic- quite different to the randomly disorganised confusionism and lack of communication in Korea.
The island has a tropical feel, which I like. The people are quite cool.
But what I didn't like was the humidity- I like dry heat, but Taiwan leaves you uncomfortably dripping with sweat...also, the air pollution there I reckon to be worse than koreas. Couple this with the humidity, and you see a fiar number of people with skin irritations, rashes etc. |
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Tiger Beer

Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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Zark wrote: |
I taught at a small college just outside Taipei (for two years). Loved it. I like Chinese culture and enjoyed learning Chinese. It is difficult yes, but Chinese characters are fascinating to me. |
TECO has mentioned quite abit about Taiwan universities.. must have a Masters, etc. Sounds good.
Just curious.. how big were class sizes and how were the vacations? (did you get a full 5 months?) |
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joe_doufu

Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere
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Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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I did leave Taiwan with a deep fear of motorcycles. Not of riding them... of being run down by them on the sidewalk or crossing the street!
One weird thing is, Taiwan people drink government-manufactured "Taiwan Beer" with ice cubes in it, like it was soda pop. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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Ryst Helmut wrote: |
In before the lock!
But yeah....my Taiwanese students are MUCH MUCH MUCH better than my Korean students. If I didn't have so much invested in Korea I'd be off to Taiwan (after Turkey, of course).
!shoosh
Ryst |
That's kind of my feeling. I know Korean culture. I can read the character set. I can stumble along in the language. It would be hard to chuck all that to be even more helpless in Taiwan. |
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Cabbit

Joined: 19 Jan 2003
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Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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Taiwan is boring as bat shit
Food is god aweful
People are amazing
Beach life is incredible
hippies rival thailand
but boring and food makes me ill
if you can say no MSG (even in Chinese) they will swear it hasnt any but I was sick for half the time I was there.
LOVE the place though and the people and kids are incredible
While I was there I missed Korea and Korean food.......so I came back
Kenting is a dreamy place
If you want polution get a job on the west side
If you like nature and hippie shit get a job on the east side
I miss the kids....hagwans are hagwans all over the world though...
ENJOY |
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