Korean Job Discussion Forums

[buddy bradley]

I agree with Chi-chi. Avoid Kaohsiung. Taichung is OK, but Taipei is definitely worth seeing. The MRT is very user-friendly, and English should get you around. I heard that taxi drivers were learning English to give them the 'edge'.

For a list of bars, restaurants and clubs check out http://forumosa.com.

[Tiger Beer]

[Tiger Beer]

Okay, I chose the TAIWAN route. Hope I don't get caught in typhoon or hurricane.. but I guess it'll just make it more interesting.

I also reserved a Fukuoka flight for that 3-day weekend coming up..

[whatthefunk]

[Tiger Beer]

[daisy]

I lived in Kaohsiung for two years. Yes, it is very polluted and can be very hot and humid - so is Korea. Yes, there is some garbage on the streets - no where near as much as Korea.

As with any place you live, life is what you make it. The foreign teachers in Kaohsiung were ( probably still are) a great bunch. There was always something planned by someone, somewhere, and if nothing, you always knew where they hung out.

The city itself was vibrant without having the tension and chaos of Taipei. The locals were great, and, whether you spoke mandarin or not made no difference, I never had any issues finding anything I wanted.

On the downside, teaching in Taiwan is generally by the hour, and unless you work illegally (not that I ever did of course), some months could be a little lean.

I toured the island while there and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Taroka Gorge is a must, though Hualien was dirtier than was pleasant. Kenting, though no Gold Coast or Jamaica was a refreshing change from the city. Taipei, you either love it or hate it.

While not the premier destination in the world, Kaohsiung has some very positive things going for it. Life is generally a lot more relaxed than Korea, shopping is great, and never once, did I get mistaken for a Russian prostitute. In my experience, though still dictators, school owners were much fairer and treated teachers generally better than Korea. Though two years was enough, I thoroughly enjoyed the Kaohsiung and Taiwan experience.

Like I said, life is what you make it.

[TECO]

I'll reiterate - The Taiwanese are much, much more laid back than either the Koreans or Japanese.

Defintely not as xenophobic as the Koreans or Japanese.

A great place to work if you can put up with a few negatives.

Of the 3, I'd have to say it's the best choice.

But - I've never lived outside of Taipei.

A lot of teachers in Tainan, Taichung and Taipei.

[Tiger Beer]

Taipei here I come.. (Thursday through Monday).

I'll probably just have enough time to hit every bar and club in the city.. and hopefully a day (possibly overnight) trip to Taichung just to check out that city..

The gorge sounds good.. maybe if I had one more day.. I'm moreso interested in seeing what day-to-day (and night) life would be like if I were to be there all of the time kind of thing..

Excited to go.. I'll be there tomorrow afternoon

[chi-chi]

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[Tiger Beer]

[chi-chi]

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[Tiger Beer]

Yeah, I think so.. I'm looking forward to it.. I'm staying in a hostel near the Train Station.. and there is alot to see!!

I do see alot scooters around, and I'm thinking it will be totally different if I get outside of the city. Also, it seems like they do try to keep the streets clean kind of like Seoul. They try, but too many people around. I heard everywhere outside of Taipei its alot of litter everywhere. I have picked up on the pollution feeling.

Anyhow, I'm excited to be here, definetely feels alot different, and very exciting to be out of Korea and in a place I've never been before. That kind of rush of exotic differentness of being somewhere you've never been before.

Well, I better get out there and do some exploring and bar-hopping to get a better feel for this place!!

Also, one thing I can feel, or I've heard so many times, that I feel it already, is it feels very comfortable right away. Feels like an easy place to adjust to. The Taiwanese people are fairly laid-back and just kind of.. well, just in existance.. and not much more than that. I'll figure it out more as I get to know this place over the next few days

[rapier]

Yep tiger, Taiwan definitely has much more of a sane, laid -back, subtropical feel to it- very comfortable. I think i'll be quite happy to work in Taichung- big city but still with a friendly feel.

[TECO]

Tiger:

I can see Taipei Station when I look out my window. In fact, my office is right across the street from the station, next to California Fitness Centre.

I'd show you around but I'm in Koh Samui right now and won't be back until Sunday night.

I suppose you'll be back in Korea by then.

Check out Shimen - sort of like a Shibuya or Myong Dong. You can find more choices for food/drink/shopping there.

Taiwanese girls are definitely pretty but they don't get as dressed up as the Japanese or Korean girls do.

They don't wear as much make up either.

Try some Jun-Jow or Ma La Mien at one of the street stalls. Good food and cheep. Jun - Jow is one of my favourite foods (steamed dumplings).

[buddy bradley]

And watch out for scooter gangsters!