Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rock]

I work in Taiwan, but've worked in Korea before. What's your opinion about the work environment here(in Taiwan?)

I mean, did you like the way you were treated, did you feel secure? Did you dislike anything here? How was the food?

This is no poll. I felt SO SECURE IN KOREA!, but now, feel like a dog. I almost feel like nothing, even if I'm a teacher.

Bottom line: I'm consternated.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I worked in Taiwan. I didn't feel very secure there. The boss was under indictment for copyright fraud from his previous employer. He was gone from work from time to time because of court appearances. Shortly after I left, he went to the big house.

I doubt that is the typical experience of Taiwan, though.

[loggerhead007]

Do you have an aversion to money? Why you dere.

[Faunaki]

I loved Taiwan and thought it was wonderful. Korea for me is boring, expensive and is too industrialized. When I was in Taiwan there weren't many PS jobs like there are here in Korea - that could have changed though - meaning most were bushiban jobs. PS jobs are definately better than hagwon/bushibans anyday. Lifestyle is better in Taiwan but jobs are better in Korea.

[Asianista]

After spending a loooong time living and working in Taipei, I came over to Seoul and I am kicking my butt daily for not having done so years ago.

And the fact I'm earning a lot more money in Korea not being the main factor!

It depends on preferences, but the general downturn that Taiwan took since 2000 really made a so-so place .... worse! I found the average people there irrititating in so many ways: lack of perspective, mentality, backwardness, absolute impossibility to see through the "FOREIGNER" mask and still refering to you, in your own face, as a 'wai guo ren' after years of knowing you!!!! (I'm keeping the list short...) Mind you, being pointed at, commented on (in your own face), stared at all the time, even in downtown Taipei didn't had to the experience!

Seoul was a breath of fresh air and the real cosmopolitan feel made me fall in love with the place within the first week! I am finally able to socialize with people that lived abroad, are open minded, have good manners, see me as a friend instead of a representant of the United Nations...

Standards of living are way higher too.

Well, I could keep on going for at least 10 pages, but I guess you got the point! Was back briefly in Taipei last February and was shocked by so many things: lack of personal hygiene, overall backwater feel of the place, building design (these ugly steel bars, dirty concrete wall, stuff and clutter everywhere!!!)

[hauwande]

[John_ESL_White]

[Rock]

I guess I'm looking more at the social aspects but do agree there's definitely a "backwater feel" to Taiwan, despite it's natural attractions.

By "social" I mean equanimity, if this is the right word. The price you pay here is quite heavy-as a wae-guo ren-meaning, you're definitely not given the same humane treatment you'd get in Korea.

Korea's spiteful outwardly. But there's a sense of security despite it all. I loved Korea! Unfortunately, cannot return since teaching is just my second-job.

Would love to earn more cash, but I'm also doing other work I don't wish to disclose(Secret agent, ha ha.) Just feel kind of lost here, that's all.

I had a semblance of self-identity due to work in Korea. Yet, there is also a social defiance against being different too. Taiwan has an openness of outside culture unlike Korea, which is refreshing, ie., dogs are the Taiwanese's number one pet, restaurants have more varieties(even chairs and tables;) English music stations, a sense of civility far unlike Korea's etc.

Yet there's a sense of parsimony unlike anything I've ever experienced before.

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]

check the FAQ's. There are a bunch of good threads comparing Korea vs. other countries in Asia.

g'luck.