Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daz1979]

Hi

I am interested to hear peoples perceptions of life in Korea Vs life in Taiwan!

Has anyone taught in both countries? Any comparisons?

It seems that the money is approximately the same! But cost of living is cheaper in Taiwan and working hours seem a lot less!!

I'm sticking with my choice of Korea to be fair as I have conducted a lot of research within this area now but I might head to Taiwan for my 2nd year so thought this might be a useful thread!!!

[Natalia]

Taiwan. It's just generally more interesting.

[captain kirk]

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=1461&highlight=taiwan

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=7632&highlight=taiwan

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=6709&highlight=taiwan



Three threads from 2003. I got these from the 23rd or so pages of threads drawn up after using the search for the word 'taiwan'.

I liked Taiwan very much.

[ekim]

Taiwan makes slightly less a year if you just stick to your full-time job. This is because the tax is a few percentage points higher (6 or 10%), there's no severance pay, no free apartment, and no pension.

Taiwan pays by the hour so they don't try to stretch your hours every month. The average job is around 20 hours a week, while Korea's like 30. If you worked 30 hours there you'd make more money than here, apartment included.

Part times there are like $20-25/hour, while they're like $30-50 here.

The people are friendly there, and I would say, mainly, less intense. Koreans are friendly, too, but more intense and concerned with your impression of their country. It's almost impossible to earn their trust. Taiwanese seem more like "normal people" in this sense: not so intense; not so political; and not so culturally bound. They're more laid-back.

Taipei is much smaller than Seoul, so it's a lot easier to get around, especially by scooters, which are less scary once you drive for yourself. They're fun, cheap, and convenient. You probably cut your commuting time in half depending on where you live in Seoul.

It's a different culture. Korea's culture is very old and cool sometimes. Taiwan's is also very cool. Some think it's more Chinese than China, since communism had an effect on the mainland. There's a lot of Buddhism, especially Taoism, and a lil' Confucionism.

The countryside is very mountainous and green, a lot like Korea. They love hiking, and bbq'ing down in valleys and streams. A lot of people actually surf there. Maybe more beaches in Korea, but Taiwan has their share in the north-east and south.

The weather's hotter there in the summer than here, and wetter in the winter, so it's kinda miserable when it gets raining. Never stops. The south is dryer though, and more pleasant in the winter.

They love variety and diversity in food. International cuisine is very popular there. The nightmarkets are LOADED with different snacks. Stinky tofu might turn you off when you walk by it on the street, but don't let that steer you away from some of the other great food. Chinese food has a lot of variety.

Seven-Elevens there are the most amazing convenient stores in the world for choosing a meal. I swear to God by this, they got great food.

Taipei's got pretty good nightlife. They have nightclubs that are $20/all you can drink, and other upper scale expensive ones that host famous dj's from all over.

You won't drink nearly as much there as here, but you can still get your drink on, and drugs are more available, too, if you're into that.

There's less soccer, but more basketball, still got some baseball, in-line hockey is growing, and foreigners there like to get into rugby matches.

The girls aren't easy, but not quite as difficult as here. They're not generally as pretty as here either, but got enough hot girls to keep you happy. Should find a girlfriend or ten not too hard, depending where you look.

I say try it out. If you don't like, then ditch and come back here. I've lived in both places and got no regrets about coming to Korea. There's more complaining in Korea amongst the foreigners, so it's tough to stay out of, but I like Korea, too. I probably prefer Taiwan. For the money though, Korea's tough to beat, which is probably why so many people who don't like it stay.

[daz1979]

[zappadelta]

[daz1979]

[Sofa_King]

I doubt that you would make more money in Taiwan based on two things. Firstly, you would have to pay for your own airfare there and back. Secondly, you do not get a bonus at the end of it.

I've only visited Taipai and did like it when I was there. I liked that it wasn't such a drinking culture and that it seemed less hustle and bustle than Korea. I might look at going there after my time is up in Korea.

[ekim]

Yeah... I clarified the money thing more in my first response but then the computer crashed. It's all good though, cuz believe it or not, I wrote far more in that one.

In Taipei you're making that $18-25/hour rate for full-time AND part time.

For the sake of a fluctuating currency, let's assume you're making $22/hour:

80 hours a month (20/week) = $1760

100 hours a month (25/week) = $2200

120 hours a month (30/week) = $2640

The average Korean hagwon:

120 hours a month (30/week) = $2100 (2 mil. won).

That's an hourly rate of $17 per hour.

If you take away $400 for your apartment in Taiwan then you're making $2200 roughly a month, the same as Korea.

Keep in mind this is with a weak exchange rate. If it gets back to normal, you can add a couple hundred a month.

True you don't get pension or severance, but you might get the air ticket. You make more in Korea with benefits included by the end of the year, but not much when solely based on your full-time. Korea's part-times make the difference.

Yeah, I was based in Taipei. I live in Ansan (outside of Seoul) now, but started in Jeju island. The schools there did nothing but try to lie and cheat me out of severance and/or pension, offered horrible hours, and were all around shady so I fled and came up here.

The summer will have a typhoon or two, and maybe a period of two weeks where it does nothing but rain hard without stop. That ain't so bad cuz it's warm. It's the winter that bugged the hell outta me, cuz it was chilly and constantly drizzling, and just overall miserable - much like I hear of England, so I guess you'd be okay with it.

I've never lived in the south, but plan to next year. The word on the street is it's much hotter in the summer (not necessarily a good thing), but nicer in the winter - less rain and temperatures closer to the 20's.

Saving..... Personally I've saved much more in Korea, but that's because I've worked the part-times, too. I never did that in Taiwan, so I'd earn my two grand, pay my rent, send some home, and then have fun. I have friends there who save $1000-3000/month.

Living wise, it's a bit cheaper there, especially subtracting all the drinking in Korea. I'd say the meals are about a buck cheaper, generally.

No slurpees in 7-11, but they got slushy-type drinks everywhere.

Fulfilling a contract...... well, I'm not sure what the punishments would be for a midnight run, but you're not really forfitting anything. There's no severance or pension to lose out on, so if you leave on payday, just make sure you got your bags.

Hope this helps

[Moldy Rutabaga]

No slurpees that I saw, unfortunately.

It's my surface impression, but every time I have been in Taipei it was raining. Does it ever stop?

Ken:>

[ekim]

If you want a smaller city, maybe try Tainan in the south, right next to Kaohsiung and only a few hours from Kending (beach town), or Hsinchu in the north'ish, a few hours south of Taipei. Both places are great for culture and not too far from the big cities. Tainan in the south though used to be the capital of Taiwan and is kinda the cultural city where all the old temples are based.

Hsinchu is where the Hakka people are based, and they're some Chinese minority that's slightly different from the other Taiwanese in very tiny ways, but are pretty proud nontheless.

[daz1979]

[Lemonade]

Here's a few things I know about Taiwan:

1.) you can become a permanent resident if you've lived there for seven years.

2.) Taiwanese students are OBEDIENT to their teachers. Obedience in that culture is mandatory.

3.) You can take on privates and part-time work without breaking any laws.

4.) Taiwanese people are trustworthy, down-to-earth and they have a great sense of humour.

5.) The food has a variety of spices and flavors.

6.) The Taiwanese respect westerners who speak English.

7.) Taiwan has a variety of races and many different rich cultures. Yes, there is more than ONE RACE in Taiwan.

8.) Taiwan has a beautiful tropical environment.

9.) Taiwan people don't look at westerners as inferior beings because they aren't 100% Taiwanese.

10.) Women in Taiwan oftentimes have the power, especially when it comes to money in a family.


Korea? None of the above.

[ekim]

Taiwanese kids are just as tough to handle as Korean kids. They actually cry easier at younger ages.

Part times and privates are illegal, and I've been busted, but the cops usually take a bribe from the school. You're money ain't enough to satisfy anyone.

Many "hakwon" (bushiban) bosses are just as scandalous as here.

And the rest is right on.

[TheUrbanMyth]

I've heard (can anyone confirm this) that they don't use textbooks in private schools (bushibans). You're more or less expected to go full-on conversation for the fifty minutes (or whatever the class time is for).

True or False?