China or South Korea

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Hi, I am currently studying for BA hons English and then will be undertaking a CELTA. I would love to experience asia and have been researching possibilities. Most possitions seem to be available in China or Korea and although the salary is higher in Korea, the companies appear to look after their staff better in China - but is it possible to live on 5000 RMB per month?

Thankyou
Louise. :

[luckylevitt]

Yes it is possible to live in China for 5000 a month. It is also possible to earn more than 5000 a month. It is a very degree of expences and prices depending where you live. I live in Guangzhou and a cheap beer in a supermarket is 2 rmb and up. I can eat chinese food for about 3 rmb and up. McDonalds is 20 rmb for a supersized meal. City busses are 1 to 2 rmb and subway is 3 to 6 yuan.

[Toothy]

I came to Fuding 1 week ago. So far I havent had to pay for anything my school principal is a very kind man and has taken care of everything for me so far. If possible, try to get a job where they pay for your accomodation and also, if possible, try to select your own apartment although you will most likely be given one. Be prepared for a bit of culture shock (I had my culture shock freak-out last night) and a lower standard of living. But all in all the Chinese are very friendly (they have been in my case). Just check everything out thoroughly.

[Toothy]

Sorry, all that gasbagging and I forgot to say that I am being paid 5000RMB a month as well. It's enough to live well in China but don't expect to take much money home with you when/if you return home.

[zoesley]

Hi, I have been in South Korea for 2 years. Do plenty of research before you go. If you look around on Daves for the esl-law.com site, it's up the top of a Korean forum. There are many scams and rip offs in Korea, so if you go, you should really pick out where you go, and I think that this site/opportunity is worth looking at. There is KOTESOL also, a professional teachers body, you can find it on the net. It might be best to try government schools, rather than hogwans.
Don't go blind for goodness sake like a few of us have.

I have seen jobs in China for 8000 rmb a month.

All the best.
Z.L.

[look out for ninjas]

I wouldn't settle for anything less than 10,000 RMB. I'm in Beijing and there's lots of good paying work here, you just have to look a bit harder for it. You just have to filter through all the garbage, cause there's plenty of low paying work here. I haven't been to Korea, but from what I've heard the pay is better, but the cost of living is higher. If you can find a higher paying job here, you'd be in alright shape because the cost of living is much lower.

[woodcutter]

Nearly every foreign teacher in China is on less than half of that, Ninja.

What's so special about you? What possesses your boss to shell out that kind of dough for your services?

[monkeywrangler]

Sometimes it's good to take a lower paying job at a school that takes really good care of you for your first teaching experience. My school doesn't pay even 5000RMB, but we have great apartments on campus. The building is cleaned top to bottom every day. Maintence issues are often fixed the same day the problem occured. The school provides three western style meals a day. We have an on-site doctor available 24/7. We live on a mountain, so we have a great view. We get a travel allowance twice a year and a bonus at Chinese New Year. The school also gives us a lot of gifts and pays for us to go on trips or to foreigner functions in the area. We manage to survive on less than 5000RMB and so can you.

[gongqin]

I am a Chinese girl , i think it is to survive in China if you are paid 5000RMB, The consumption here is not very high. I think it 's a good choice for you to come toChina, there are lots of things you can search. because China is a country which has a long history. so not only you can experience the traditonal culture but also you can feel the modern atmosphere ,. believe in me!