Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LURKER]

I asked this question before, but I'll ask it again, because I really want more peoples' views on it.

Is Taiwan generally a better place to live than Korea? I ask because it seems to me that most posts here are decidedly negative about Korea, whereas most posters on Forumosa appear to have some affection for Taiwan. Hardly a scientific barometer of opinion, of course, but I find it striking that, when I asked people on Forumsa which they preferred, the overwhelming consensus was that Taiwan was better. I asked this question here on Daves not too long ago and people were hardly jumping at once to say what a great place Korea is to work.

Thoughts?

http://www.forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=77210

[afsjesse]

A friend of mine who worked in Daegu and now works in Taiwan says that it's much better. An easier time and not as restrictive. However it is harder to get around apparently. But he went to the Philippines for 70 USD roundtrip!

Another friend of mine who frequents this bored, Kasain, traveled there over winter break and thought it was nice. However he thought the people were somewhat more harsh and overall thinks Korea is better due to the trasnportation and more things to do.

So take your pick. I'm going to give it a whirl possibly come September, but I'm not sure yet.

[Poemer]

I can't compare living in the two countries, but as a tourist I found Taiwan to be light years ahead of Korea. People were polite and helpful. There were many tourist help desks staffed by people fluent in English and willing to help make hotel reservations, buy plane tickets, etc.

I met and talked with many nice total strangers while in Taiwan. The people seemed generally happier and more outgoing than Koreans. I would recommend travelling there to everyone. I have no idea what it would be like to live and work there-- bars are not common, a drawback for anyone who is into the bar scene. Beer at convenience stores was better and cheaper than in Korea though. THE FOOD IS AWESOME!

[roadwork]

That's a good idea for a quick three day weekend getaway. Prices for motels/hostels seem to be reasonable enough

[The Great Toad]

[hugekebab]

[hugekebab]

My neighbour taught in Taiwan for nine years.

He said the visa situation means that bosses tend not to *beep* with you as much as in Korea because they know you can up sticks and leave.

He also said the children he taught were little monsters. He reckoned that there weren't half as many barriers between the foreigners and locals and that being encouraged by a family to meet their daughter was a fairly frequent event. You'll probably find socially that there isn't so much of the invisible wall with the Taiwanese.

He also said that to get around you have to buy a scooter and that the food was much, much better. If you are thinking of learning Chinese then Taiwan is not such a hot idea because of the dialect, romanisation system and complex Chinese character system they use. That's about all I know and it's second hand info. All I would say is don't listen to people who have been there for a holiday, it is, with no exception, a totally misleading experience of a country and nothing like working and living in one.