[quote=“ShenKeng”]Most old foreigners that I have talked to wished that they had left a long time ago. Many of them said it was like a dream, a summer haze. Time flew so quickly that one day they woke up and regretted everything.
Once a person gets old enough, generally speaking, buxibans don’t want them. It gets harder and harder to find a job; the Taiwan government really doesn’t want you here.
There are a myriad of problems that will plague you. If you get married and have children, this will complicate things even more, especially if the children aren’t doing well in school.
One day, this individual will have to make a choice. Life is like ice cream: the good times will come to an end eventually and we will have to live with reality. So, some people have suggested that one or two years is the best period of time. Save some money and then decide what to do. We can go back to school, put a downpayment on a house, or settle down somewhere. While we are here, we can see the world and experience things that no one else ever will. These memories will be forever with us.
The worse thing that I have seen was a foreigner leave his job, career, and family to come over here. He thought it was a gold mine. Give me a break! A teacher in Taiwan earning 60,000 TWD a month earns about as much money as a worker at Starbucks in the states. In this regards, coming over here was foolish and stupid. This said individual was just running away from his responsibilities. A teacher with experience and a Master’s can make so much more and live so much better in the states.
In fact, on my travels around Asia, I often see teachers on their summer vacations running around on the beach. In my opinion, that’s the correct way to do it. Consider Taiwan a great vacation, nothing more.
Regrets![/quote]
I agree with some things but I think you go overboard.
A few things. Someone working at Starbucks in the states would have a terrible lifestyle compared to someone in Taiwan making the same amount.
I also wonder if this hypothetical foreigner that you are talking about would also be bitter and disappointed with his life if he had stayed/returned home. I had a nice career in the states but I hated it and I don’t want to return to that career.
I agree though that depending on buxibans for your paycheck is going to leave you horribly exposed financially. Not only can the rug be pulled out from under you at any time but it’s also going to be difficult to be teaching into your 50’s as you say. And I doubt many are ready financially to retire at that point. The key is getting yourself set up in a business somewhere that you enjoy. I have a plan but it won’t be easy.