Korean Job Discussion Forums

lpcool · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul, Korea

How do gypos (spell? anyway Korean-Americans, Korean-Canadians, Korean-some-foreign-country) like Korea?

I had some specific questions but they didn't seem to be answered... So I'm reposting this message -

1. What made you want to come to Korea? "Finding your roots"?
2. What were your impressions before you came to Korea? For instance, did you think that you'd be welcomed with open arms because you're going to the land of "your people"?
3. What are your impressions now?
4. I've heard horror stories about how gyopos get paid less because they're "Korean" and endure other discriminations. What do you make of it?

BTW this question isn't restricted to gyopos only - if you know of someone who could answer these questions, please feel free to speak on their behalf.

Thanks...

kricket · Posted: Mon May 26, 2003 10:50 pm Post subject:

kyopos that are serious about teaching and have bilingual ability can make a decent living in Korea... but many of the kyopos I've met have been just the opposite... i.e. bad attitudes, don't take teaching seriously, can't speak a lick of Korean... then they start complaining that Korea is unfair.... well, Korea is unfair..as is the USA, Canada, and every other nation on this planet...

I recommend that kyopos understand this and make the most of the situation... find you're niche, refine your skills, and take teaching seriously...if you do these things you should have no problems making a decent living in Korea...

it's really up to you...

the "kricket"

Howard Roark · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Canada

i met a korean-canadian girl on the flight from vancouver to korea. she hadn't been to korea for 10 years. she wasn't too fussy on the place. you should have seen the looks she got when she lit up a smoke outside the airport! it was great.

kricket · Posted: Thu May 29, 2003 5:16 am Post subject:

Dan · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Sunny Glendale, CA

women and smoking:
it is illegal for women to smoke outdoors in korea.

kricket · Posted: Thu May 29, 2003 5:26 am Post subject:

Dan · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Sunny Glendale, CA

i don't get it. am i white on the inside?

cheem · Joined: 18 Apr 2003

kricket · Posted: Thu May 29, 2003 2:53 pm Post subject:

cheem · Joined: 18 Apr 2003

That may be the case, but as a kyopo I found your first post incredibly patronizing. If only I had the audacity to dispense such worldly advice to the non-kyopo foreigners on this board.

mokpochica · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Here are some kyopo perspectives from former participants of the ETA program.
http://www.fulbright.or.kr/eta/english/eta-perspectivs.html

I think everyone has a different experience and different reasons for coming here. Most of the kyopos that I've met have enjoyed their time here, but have faced difficulties often relating to Korean people's tendency to consider them Korean even though they considered themselves American.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

having met alot of kyopos in korea.. it seems each one has extremely different experiences.. some adapt extremely quickly and have a great time.. others find themselves much to familiar with the ways of home and don't like it.. really hard to say.. some can't wait to leave and others never want to leave.. really hard to say.. in general, probably not all that different from the other non-gyopo foreigners who come here..

Medic · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

I'd say that many Koreans would see one of their own not being able to speak Korean as a dissapointment. Then maybe not. I know students in schools don't respect English teachers who can speak English unless they can do it well. I guess this is along the same lines as the treatment Gyopo's can sometmes get.

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

My nine years in Korea were made easier by my avoidance of gyopos in general. The hands-down WORST of the bunch are gyopos from the LA area.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003