Job Discussion Forums

[jeffinflorida]

So I have been around China for almost 2 years. been to many of the bigger cities as a tourist.

Only worked in Quanzhou, Fujian.

Can't say I like or dislike Quanzhou, but I am familure with it - ie never get lost, know where all the good shopping spots are, good restaurants, good hotels, know the bus lines.

But I am thinking of going to Korea.

Can anyone who has worked in China and Korea give me some insight to the CHINA vs KOREA choice.

Korea pays better but there does not seem much to do in such a small country whereas China still has many places for me to be a tourist in.

Korea seems more civilized and modern with more Western choice in food and shopping.

China has advantages - cost of living, lots of cheap goods etc...

So what serious input can you give about where I should go next month...

China, the choice could be Shenzhen or Ningbo. Korea is still open.

[saint57]

Hey Jeff, I have worked in both Korea and China.

Basically, Korea has nothing to offer as far a tourism is concerned. Even Jeju sucks. If you do decide to work there, get a job in Busan. Although I usually compain about Korea, the money isn't a myth. I am the worst at saving money and I still had a heck of a lot in the bank at the end.

As I've said before, the only reason I enjoyed China so much was because of the money I had saved from Korea.

My employers in Korea and China were very similar. Slightly shady, but nothing too bad.

Since you have two years under your belt, you should be ok in Korea.

Here are the negatives for Korea:

- You will have great difficulty finding a university position. Also, from what I hear, the university positons are becoming like language schools.

- Your school holidays will be crap. Mine amounted to seven days spread over the year. A Wednesday here and a Monday there.

- You will most likely teach at a hogwan. Read the Korean forums for information about these places. You may find yourself teaching three year olds. You may get stuck with split-shifts. You will be worked to maximum capacity.

Even though I wouldn't go back to Korea, I recommend that you give it a try. Even if you hate it, you can go back to China with enough money to go on the ultimate *beep* binge.

[prof]

[saint57]

[sojourner]

Jeff,

I have been to Sth Korea, but haven't worked there. However, I can assure you that it's a pretty boring place !

At my previous uni job in China, I had an American colleague who had taught in various Korean hagwans for about five years. Yes, along with "Saint", he admits the money is better in Sth Korea - but he is far happier,now, teaching at a Chinese uni ! Why ? In his current uni job, he only works 16 hours pw, compared to about 30 hours in the hagwan sector. Also, in his hagwan jobs he was provided with a very small flat - as you know, the uni flats in China are, generally speaking, reasonably spacious (eg 1 bedroom, living-room, ensuite, etc). Also, in his current job, he is not charged for utilities. Further on the subject of housing, with many hagwan jobs you might be required to share a flat with a couple of other FTs - and in many cases the place where you'll be living could be a considerable distance from your hagwan; thus, you would probably have to take into consideration factors such as fares, travelling time,charges for utilities - and, the stress of having to live with (possibly) incompatible flat-mates.

As already mentioned, you would probably be able to save more money in Sth Korea, than in China. But, note that I said "probably". To earn that extra money you'll have to put in about 30 hours pw - a situation that could involve split-shifts ! Some FTs, who are not feeling exhausted, may attempt to earn extra money by "doing privates" - however, you should realise that, unlike the situation in China, the Korean authorities take a very dim view of FTs who moonlight - if you're caught, it could mean a hefty fine ! In China, if you only work 14-16 hours pw, it is fairly easy to do overtime or to moonlight. So, if a FT at a Chinese uni works an extra 10, or so, hours pw, I'm sure that that person would would be able to save as much as someone working 30 hours pw in Sth Korea - especially if you factor in such things as China's lower cost of living, no charges for utilities, etc. Note also what "Saint" has said about holidays, lack of good uni jobs, etc.

My ex-colleague also remarked that he feels far more relaxed living and working in China than he did in ROK. He regards the Sth Koreans as being obsessed with the "need to hurry" to get anywhere. Although Chinese cities may be a bit tacky and unsophisticated compared to their counterparts in ROK, the former are far more interesting- eg, with plenty of side streets and alleys with lots of interesting little shops - but, you probably know that already. One thing that he said that intrigued me at the time was when he remarked that he found the Koreans to be far more "conventional", "conformist" and "uptight" than the Chinese ! He was amazed that he had never come across any alternative lifestyle/non-conformist/bohemian types in Sth Korea ! By comparison, in China he said that he had met some "semi-hippie" types in China. He had never worked in Seoul, though - thus, you might find some "non-conformists" there - but would you ?

Regarding his actual teaching experiences, my ex-colleague remarked that teaching Chinese uni students is far for rewarding that teaching adult learners in the Korean hagwan system. He was fortunate enough to have found jobs teaching adults. He once had a job teaching v.young kids - but hated it. And, as "Saint" implied, most of the jobs in ROK will probably involve the teaching of kids rather than adults

You shouldn't think in terms of just "China or Korea" - apart from East Asia, have you ever considered working in SE Asia ? Besides Thailand, there are a number of FTs in Vietnam and Cambodia. Indonesia is also a very interesting place. I can emphasise with you about China. I like this place, but after almost four years here I, too, want a change ! But I want to go to somewhere "better" than ROK. I'm toying with the idea of working in Malaysia, one of my favourite countries. Admittedly, there are not too many jobs there, but my secondary teaching diploma, and other post-grad qualifications, might help me to land a "decent" (ie non-language school) job. If you have some advanced qualifications you, also, might want to consider Malaysia - fascinating ethnic mix, viz. Malay, Chinese and Indian - and the associated cuisines - big down-side,though, is the cost of beer ! Alternately, there is also Turkey and Mexico.

Happy job hunting !

Peter

[Steppenwolf]

What never fails to turn me on in Koreans is their special brand of patriotism they display in front of westerners.

[sojourner]

Jeff,

In your post, you mentioned that you are also toying with getting a job in Ningbo. It's not a bad place. However, you might also want to consider another city in Zhejiang province; in my opinion, much nicer than Ningbo - Hangzhou.

Peter

[therock]

If you go to Korea, remember you won't have your pretty little Chinese girlfriend there. Think about that.

Seriously if money is a concern go to Korea, if not stay in China.

[saint57]

[prof]

[jeffinflorida]

Good input and thanks!

Pretty Girlfriend said if I go to Korea she will come and visit me when she has no school.

I have considered other SE Asian places.

I am still researching my cause and have not made any final decsions yet.

I think i would like to experience life in other Chinese cities as well.

korea is kind of a last ditch thing to work and just make some money.

Without my Pretty Girlfriend around i would probably save 90% of what I make...

But I want to experience life, not just live it so that's a factor in where I go.

[saint57]

[jeffinflorida]

[prof]

Go to Ningbo.

It's small. But I'm certain you'll enjoy East China over the South.

[Lhorde]

Jeff,

You'll be more of a dancing monkey in Korea than in China (that was my experience anyway). But the package IS pretty good.

And without PCG around you might find adjusting to the local women culture a bit difficult. I found Korean women to be even more manipulative while still expecting to keep that chastity belt on.

Busan is a good location as suggested by Saint because of its proximity to Japan (i.e. to allow for the occasional *beep* run). Seoul would also be good as women there are more open-minded.

I have much more to say than just this; just ask if you wanna know.