Job Discussion Forums

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

kim,
I hope the financial information I've given shows that you can indeed pay off such a student loan. I can only emphasize that you're going to have $1000 to play around with every month, and it can go quite easily, even if you don't drink. There are always the following things that you might have to pay off.

emergency medical bills (whatever is not covered by insurance)
cable/satellite TV
magazine/newspaper subscriptions (much higher here for Time magazine, for example, even in the bookstores)
sightseeing related costs (if you have the time)
souvenirs, gifts, and related postage
long distance calls (unless you subscribe to services like Skype)

And, even if you don't drink, you will always be tempted to go out with coworkers or students. You don't have to drink alcohol, but there is often food involved in the bill, so a typical night out could run 3000-5000 yen. Miss the last train home (midnight), and you are looking at double cab fare.

I know a guy who taught and was in a band. He certainly didn't make a heckuva lot playing, and he was often late to work the next day, which made for some very bad relationships at work. Remember that conversation schools in Japan run from noon to 9pm usually, so if you go out to play somewhere, you're going to go out immediately after work after a day of teaching, which can be quite tiring. Playing can mean spending money on drinks, too, and many times the band goes out for coffee or munchies after the gig. More money spent. It's not a very lucrative side business, so I hope you don't get your hopes up too much. Sorry if this sounds negative, but that's been my friend's experience. Moreover, if you are new to teaching, you still have to face students with some sort of lesson plan, and even if the school provides one, you need to be familiar with it and not exhausted from the gig. Many entry level jobs here don't give you the luxury of a Sat/Sun weekend; you may have to work one of those days and get a weekday off for your second day.

Yes, it's very possible to pay off your loans. One more thing to consider is sightseeing. With the hours you get, it is not always easy to get out and explore the new culture you are in. In fact, in Japan you usually get your weekend (which I've described above) and 3 major holiday periods per year, but that coincides with the rest of the country, so you will be free when everyone else (Japanese included) is free. That means trying to travel during the busiest times of the year, when lodging and travel rates double or triple. Cuts a hole in your budget. And, people who arrive in any country are very tempted to explore. If you don't feel inhibited by your surroundings (little to no English, for example), you will certainly want to immerse yourself in it. This can detract from studying the language and being prepared for your classes. Do people manage all that and still have a good time? Sure. This is just a heads up.

Best of luck.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:00 am Post subject:

I agree with JZer - in Korea it is HARD to not save. Going out isn't expensive - and you really don't need to watch your money the way you would in Japan.

The formula is quite different - free housing - one month severance - and one month pension refund for each year - so in essence - two months additional wages for each year - paid up when you leave.

I like Japan - and have spent some significant time there. But found I had to watch my spending carefully when I was there.

If I needed to refill my bank accounts - Korea is where I would go.

kimcordle · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 30

Thanks for the advice you guys. Unfortunately though, I either have to finish my BA here or go slug it out in China or Thailand while I finish my degree. I would love to be able to teach in Korea or Japan, but not enough to fake my credentials. I still haven't come up with a concrete plan, but I'm working on it. Thanks again.

Cdaniels · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:22 pm Post subject:

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Cdaniels · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:08 am Post subject: An attempt at a gentle insult.

It's been few since your previous post, but I'm kiddingly questioning your sanity, Gregor. For some of you guys, "reality" won't ever "set in!" Laughing

Let's just say it helps if one is fully prepared for various difficulties.
Wink

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Oh.
OK. I guess I get your point.
Still, there are certain types of people who just really take to this sort of lifestyle easily. It takes all kinds to make a world, I guess, and every niche has someone who fits into it very very well. TEFL is mine.
It's too bad that my niche isn't rock star or billionaire, but I don't think we can choose these sorts of things. And maybe it didn't have to be TEFL, but something LIKE it. I don't really know. All I know is that the realities and even difficulties of this job are easier and more pleasant for me to deal with than even some GOOD days as a laborer, or office worker, or even working musician, in my own country.
Perhaps I'd have made as good a foreign correspondant or merchant marine or something. But whatever it is about TEFL, it's almost always been a comfortable and agreeable life for me. So I encourage people to try it out, and people who piss and moan about it will forever mystify me.

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

asromacalcio · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 54

Nice post.

amykittin · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

I'm another wannabe for next year so I'm going to open myself up for a hell of a lot of critism too *lol* but on the other hand, I think it's valuable to get the realism from people who have the experience.

I'm hoping that despite working in places here where your degree counts for f. all I've at least got the education on my CV should things fail and I have to return back to Manchester, but truth be told I'd rather try another job and place before having to do THAT *lol*. I'm hoping that this will be my thing, you don't know unless you try it, but I do need something where I'm dealing with people instead of computers. If things were to fail then I think I'd still like to look at the PGCE - I like trying to help people :O)

I'm going over to Turkey because I just feel more relaxed and at home there, I've not felt settled here for christ only knows how long. I'm getting to the point of being debt free now and while I am young enough to take a chance (doing it before turning 30 something!) I am going to if there is the remotest possibility that I'll be happier. It's not going to be a bed of roses, the language barriers (I have the basic foundations but they talk so FAST over there!) and moving to a much bigger city than Manchester, but coming onto these forums do give you a good idea of what to expect.

To be honest I think the only thing I really miss on here is that there seems to be little clarity (for Turkey anyway) on what IS and ISNT a good salary. There seem to be conflicting posts!!!! For example, if all you can get is 1500 YTL you can do better - vs - tell me where does give better that 1500 YTL. I'm just a wee bit confused *lol* the only things I've seen advertised are around the $850-$1000 mark!!!

In any case - a big THANK YOU to all the posts positive and negative! You have to take all of this to give you a realistic picture.

Ames

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Bottom feeder language school=850-1000 dollars a month with nothing guaranteed and no accomodation.

Forget your cv-put anything you like down because it counts for nothing if you want to do a pgce.

amykittin · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

I have no doubts about that, but I decided to follow the uni route a long time ago and I've just reached the end of it - so whatever I end up doing it's there and for the time being I can concentrate on something a little more rewarding! Who knows where it'll lead me!

I'm assuming there are options around Ankara apart from bottom feeder schools - but as I'm going over part way through the academic year I think as long as I've something coming in I'm happy. Interestingly I thought Best English fell into that category and they're throwing in free accom so I guess there are different categories of bottom! <queue the shake your little ass theme music> If I come out with positive income it's a bonus!

Ames

elenai12 · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 20 Location: NEW YORK

hi, kim,
from what i've learned - i can tell you one thing - to find out if you are cut for the teaching job - go to any public school in us as a teacher' assistant - you'll be at the lowest end in the paying chain and get all the grants you want, and you'll get the touch you need to know if you are ready to teach.. it's not easy to be a teacher..
somebody mentioned and i agree, that with your backgroung it's a good idea to go for SLP (speech-language pathologist) there are unis that give dual program(ba/ma) and the job is both interesting and rewarding(in terms of money, too- they get $65 per 1/2 hour)
good luck
elena