Job Discussion Forums

William Beckerson · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 5:37 pm Post subject: Bye-bye Korea. Hello...?

I'm leaving Korea at the end of the year, after two years of chaos. And I still havent decided where to go next.

So, I guess I'm asking you: Should I head for the middle kingdom or not? My main priority is to not go back to Canada and get stuck in the cycle of debt there.

Gimmie some warnings, or a hard sell. SVP.

khmerhit · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 5:57 pm Post subject:

Go to Cambodia. Very Happy

William Beckerson · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 1:03 am Post subject:

And what would the benefits of Cambodia be? Should I decide to make you my advice guru

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

Korea must be a sinking ship . . . .

Well, there do seem to be good jobs in China. There are also some bad ones. The private sector is better paying and less reliable. DON'T USE A RECRUITER (so I hear.)

Base starting salry is likely to be less, but they don't call immigration if you work part time (although if you promise in your contract not to do so, keep it quiet.)

As you can see, foreingers don't "fit in" as well as they do in Japan (I've taught in Japan for a few years.) That will be nothing new. I've had two people be angry at my presence in 8 months. And one of those guys got carried off by the cops. Very Happy

Foreigners (of the standard EFL persuastion) are usually not hated. But we do stand out, and attract stares, "Must Have Free English Lesson-ites" etc from time to time.

In China you must bargain when buying many things (especially at a local market where no price is written on an item). You may be grandly overcharged for not being a local (this used to be law, but that was repealed something like 8 years ago.)

The larger costal areas tend to be more convienient/more lucrative than the interior.

Well, that's as much as I can offer.

William Beckerson · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 3:25 pm Post subject:

Thanks.

Hows the ability to save up and pay off them pesky student loans?

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

Dude - You may not beat the "cycle of debt" but you will be happier.

My apologies for calling you a dide--DUDE I mean (sp) HAHA Twisted Evil

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

Gerard's back.
Here in Shanghai it's not hard to make 10 k a month [2 jobs though], save half of that, and still live pretty well IF you're in school housing. Or else spend 3-4 k a month on flat and utilities, work the language mills and corporates and go for 15k. There's a subculture here that does it, but they don't talk much: probably illegal immigrants!

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

Bill,
despite the colorful discussion of Chinese toilets over on your forum, there is much to recommend China. Give me a while and I'm sure I'll think of some. Smile

Seriously, despite some bouts of Fear and Loathing I do love it here. I might point out that the esteemed Gerard is also a Korea veteran (the schools, not the war) and he seems really happy here. Maybe a little too happy, if ya know what I mean. Wink

MT

Steiner · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 573 Location: Hunan China

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

MyTurn---Yes I am having a bit too much fun here with all the cheap beer, foot massages and opium dens. Cool

Now if I could only find a RED SOX game--heh. William if you are still reading this I have worked in both as have a few other regulars. Life here is a lot different than ROK and better I think. The only thing ROK has going for it is the salary and even that isnt really true all the time. And some conveniences such as bookstores (good ones) and the cinema and pool tables. But the place is hideously boring (drink in the PC bang) and the people drive me nuts...I suspect you are fed up also....You mention savings and it surprises me that paople in KO post here wondering if they can save...You are not the first ajarnmiguk and a few others have posted here. I would think Taiwan might be an idea------Chinese people high salary and it is not Korea. They were hiring a lot last month....