Surviving in Taiwan?

[K'Tesh]

Ni Hou!

I'm looking into getting into a TESOL program, and perhaps moving to Taiwan. I'm not overly fond of cars, and I'm very much into bicycles.

Any suggestions for someone who's looking for a new start there? Bikes as well as jobs, housing, food to go for, food to avoid... you know, everything?

Xie xie
K'Tesh

[meyers66]

Hi, I'm an American living in Ping Chen, Taoyuan Hsien. I suggest you educate yourself as much as possible because that will lessen your culture shock. Websites: forumosa.com, lonely planet/thorntree/Taiwan, and any local taiwan sites for the city where you want to live. Ref book: LP Taiwan. Most universities want a MA degree not a TESOL degree. (There is no standard here.) Grad degrees must come from a traditional university. Check the Ministry of Education (MOE) website yourself because this stuff changes all the time. Chinese webpages trump the English webpages.� E-learning graduate degrees are not accepted by the MOE, US accreditation doesn't matter. I have a MA from Univ of Phoenix, which they don't recognize. Don't ask, story is too long. I've been working at 2 local universities part time for more than 8 years. Regarding bikes if you are into road bikes, I would buy a Giant Defy 2 here for around 28,000nt and leave your US bike at home. Cycling in cities is dangerous. Ride on the small white county roads, example: gonglu #. If you haven't been out of the US, you haven't experienced driving this bad. Give yourself lots of time to adjust. Don't sign a teaching contract state side. They will cheat you. Get here, network, and make your own connects for a good experience. Don't think it will be a one year gig, give it two because of your start up costs. Remember, it is not what you make but what you save. Bushibans cheat and lie so talk to local expats to find the honest bushibans. Bushibans are private cram businesses run for profit. Don't trust them. Eat vegie for a few months to get used to the local cooking oil. Regular restaurants usually use pork oil which makes me sick. Vegie is cleaner, less health issues. Most important thing is be an ambassador of your country and be flexible.�Treat people how you like to be treated. I've seen way too many expats drink away their savings from depression.

[K'Tesh]

Hi, I'm an American living in Ping Chen, Taoyuan Hsien. I suggest you educate yourself as much as possible because that will lessen your culture shock. Websites: forumosa.com, lonely planet/thorntree/Taiwan, and any local taiwan sites for the city where you want to live. Ref book: LP Taiwan. Most universities want a MA degree not a TESOL degree. (There is no standard here.) Grad degrees must come from a traditional university. Check the Ministry of Education (MOE) website yourself because this stuff changes all the time. Chinese webpages trump the English webpages.� E-learning graduate degrees are not accepted by the MOE, US accreditation doesn't matter. I have a MA from Univ of Phoenix, which they don't recognize. Don't ask, story is too long. I've been working at 2 local universities part time for more than 8 years. Regarding bikes if you are into road bikes, I would buy a Giant Defy 2 here for around 28,000nt and leave your US bike at home. Cycling in cities is dangerous. Ride on the small white county roads, example: gonglu #. If you haven't been out of the US, you haven't experienced driving this bad. Give yourself lots of time to adjust. Don't sign a teaching contract state side. They will cheat you. Get here, network, and make your own connects for a good experience. Don't think it will be a one year gig, give it two because of your start up costs. Remember, it is not what you make but what you save. Bushibans cheat and lie so talk to local expats to find the honest bushibans. Bushibans are private cram businesses run for profit. Don't trust them. Eat vegie for a few months to get used to the local cooking oil. Regular restaurants usually use pork oil which makes me sick. Vegie is cleaner, less health issues. Most important thing is be an ambassador of your country and be flexible.�Treat people how you like to be treated. I've seen way too many expats drink away their savings from depression.

Thanks for the reply and all the suggestions!!! It's a real eye opener (but not a death blow to the idea).

[Northwestrider]

I"m based in Taiwan, but travel outside it quite a bit. Taiwan is great for bike riding. In my opinion the people are very friendly and respect bicyclists a bit more than is the case state side. Taipei has many kilometers of MUPs . I'd suggest picking up a bike here as well. Something to keep in mind however is that even though many bikes are manufactured here, finding one with a large frame may take some time.

[zeppinger]

I live and work in South Korea and would also highly recommend working here. The English teaching market is excellent right now all over Asia.