Korean Job Discussion Forums

tomwaits · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Location: PC Bong

I just want to go and look around for a few days./

I know you need a visa. Anyone done it and know where to go in Seoul?

Thanks. I will look for a job there but I/m not too worried about it so a 30 day visa would be fine.

Also I have heard you need to show a bank statement to them?

Wink

And being a spoiled Canuck will they let me in for 6 months even though I am broke!? Wink

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Rock · Joined: 25 Feb 2005

Waits, your best bet is to get a 60 day visitor's visa. This can be obtained in Hong Kong, but I don't know about in Korea.

Hellofaniceguy said it right, but teaching ESL in Taiwan doesn't really outdo Korea. The jobs are a fluke, the contracts a fiasco. You'll run into much, much more double dealing over there, lack of workers' rights. The housing blows, unless you want to pay a mint. You've got to pay for just about everything besides, unless you share an apartment. The people are as outgoing and warm as toads, although they ARE decent folk. The nightlife is for the drunks and slouches. The idea of being in an Asian country is that you're there to prove yourself to them and not vice-versa when it comes to learning English or understanding your culture itself, all of which to them are considered a slight. They lie like devils and will ekk out the most from you. The food is usually rancid with oil and outside exhaust fumes(though hey, I've eaten it a lot.) And they'll fire you at the drop of a hat.

Yet you say you're going there with little money? Go to a hostel, namely The Taipei Hostel, right near Taipei Main Station. They've got dormitory rooms for NT300 a night, less per week. But I have to warn you. If you're low on money and going for just 30 days, you might end up stuck. Sooner or later you'll have to fly out, and there's not guarantee you'll get enough cash within that time frame.

But there's a gal named Vivian near Tiapei Main Station who lands people temp jobs. She pays by the week.

I wouldn't go to Taiwan though. I consider this a business nowadays, and in Taiwan, you'll lose any which way.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

A few years ago you'd get 15 days upon arrival (for a CDN anyway), could get a 30 day landing visa for about 45-50 bucks; and a 60 day visitor visa was available then at the office in Seoul. I forget the building the "Taipei Mission" office was in, but it was across from the big Kyobo building at Kwanghwamun station.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

buddy bradley · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: The Beyond

Ideally, you'd want to get the five year multiple-entry visa, which you can only get in the States. With that, you can work illegally without having to sign up for Chinese lessons, but you have to leave the country every six months, which is good, as Hong Kong is an hour's flight away and tickets are cheap.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

tomwaits · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Location: PC Bong

Thanks people ---good info. I just want to do a 3-day 2 nights type thing----not stay for good.

Rock-- can it be worse than ROK. ? Not like the housing or the empoyers or the "ambience" are so lovely in Korea you can't give it up. The nightlife you mention sounds the same.

Point taken though. I'm sure the Taiwanese can be nasty at times. And this "fire you at the drop of a hat " alarms me a bit. Wink

Zark · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:46 pm Post subject:

Tomwaits,

My experience in Taiwan was quite different from Rock's. I lived in Taipei - and taught in Nangang (a 'burb on the eastern side of town) for two years.

I found it to be a much friendlier place, the people quite cordial and friendly. Never had a problem with my contract - and it was always paid to the penny. Housing is expensive - and as a result - I saved only about 75% of what I had been saving in Korea. BUT, I found the quality of life soooooo much better.

I'm in Korea now - to maximize savings - but if money wasn't an issue: I'd be much happier in Taiwan. I consider Taiwan to be a good compromise between the money of Korea and the quality of life (but no money!) of Thailand.

BTW, the countryside is beautiful! If you get a chance rent a car and drive around the island - it only takes a couple days. The east coast is dramatic with sharp cliffs dropping to the sea - and most of it is uninhabited - many fantastic beaches you can have all to yourself.