How often do you encounter a “Simultaneously travel, immerse in a fantastically opposite culture, pay off debts and save money” how-to?

I work at Gloria English School. It’s in a southern Taipei suburb, and its not ideal (only 20 hours a week but over six days, free dorm-style living, no subway system, few western comforts) but I know what I’d do differently, so if you’d like a job in Taiwan teaching English, consider my suggestions:

Prep:
1. Locate your passport.
2. Locate your original college diploma (any major is OK).
3. Locate the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, where you’ll begin your visa application process.

Browse listings:
4. Visit Dave’s ESL Cafe, the top site to view English teaching jobs posted around the world.
5. Go to the International Job Board page and search for listings in Taiwan.
6. Prioritize jobs listed in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Hualien, Taichung, Taitung, Kenting and Tainan. These are Taiwan’s largest cities with great access to trains and to English speaking activities and Western comforts, which you’ll find you need once in awhile if you’re here long term.

Compensation:
7. It’s approximately 32 New Taiwanese Dollars to 1 U.S. Dollar. Easily calculate the proposed salary in USD here.
8. If it’s not offered, ask for the e-mail address of a current teacher, whom can give you a clear picture of the life style and work environment.
9. Don’t settle for a 6-day work week. Taiwan is so small and easy to travel in a weekend, you could even fly to Japan or Hong Kong for a weekend. So having two days is important to make the most of your time and preserve sanity.

Considerations:
10. Food, transportation and housing costs half as much in Taiwan. Only beverages and technology cost comparable amounts to the U.S.
11. Those with interest in Asia/World history will find Taiwan an amazing treasure: remnants of Japan and China abound, not to mention Taiwan’s rich aboriginal tribe culture.
12. Chinese classes can be booked easily, so if you’re interested in becoming fluent in an important global language, Taiwan is the right place to immerse yourself in—they speak Mandarin. For language junkies, they also speak other dialects—Hakka and Taiwanese.

Lastly:
13. Only the South of Taiwan (south of Hualien and Kaohsiung) looks like a tropical island—Hawaii-esque. So, don’t expect that type of paradise in the north; instead, the North is full of mountains, hot springs forests and waterfalls—equally gorgeous, but no bikinis or ocean swimming.