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sashajade
Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Minnesota, USA
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 6:23 am Post subject: Seems like a lot of disullusionment... |
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I've read numerous posts on this site and a lot of people don't seem happy - particularly those in Korea. Unfortunately, I need to work in a country where I can earn enough money to pay bills at home.
I'm trying to choose a country to look for a job, but it seems like in many cases higher pay=less satisfaction. Is this true of your experience? |
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Nabby Adams
Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:23 am Post subject: |
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If the lifestyle were great in Korea et al then there would be an influx of teachers. That influx would drive the market rate down and then it would be a Thailand. There are individual exceptions but basically the higher paying countries have to pay higher wages for a reason.
For example. In the last 10/15 years TEFL has become a really attractive proposition to many grads. Japan has been a place to go to make money. People also realised that Japan is a good place to be. So even though wages have gone down the number of people wanting to come to Japan has not. Which of course sends wages down even lower. In real terms Japan offers half or less the savings that it did 10 years ago and probably half again on 10 years before that.
Korea is the "new Japan" but doesn't seem to offer the same quality of lifestyle that Japan has. Therefore I predict a much slower demise of salary there than Japan even if more and more people decide to go there and teach.
Put simply, if Thailand Phuket offered $2000 a month salaries who would teach in Seoul? |
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MrMrLuckyKhan
Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 282 Location: Kingdom of Cambodia
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:23 am Post subject: |
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Nabby Adams wrote: |
Put simply, if Thailand Phuket offered $2000 a month salaries who would teach in Seoul? |
VERY well put!!! |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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How much per month do you have to pay off?
What are your credentials?
What country are you interested in? |
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Serious_Fun

Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: Seems like a lot of disullusionment... |
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sashajade wrote: |
I've read numerous posts on this site and a lot of people don't seem happy - particularly those in Korea. Unfortunately, I need to work in a country where I can earn enough money to pay bills at home.
I'm trying to choose a country to look for a job, but it seems like in many cases higher pay=less satisfaction. Is this true of your experience? |
I actually enjoyed So. Korea, but I was burned by my employer! Otherwise I might still be there!
sashajade, it is important to realize that posting to these online forums are often a way for expats to ventilate frustration, and, hopefully, to receive a bit of support from other expats. If we do not have a social network in our (respective) immediate communities, then we use the internet. (I wish that I had this tool years ago!)
For every negative post there are many more positive experiences.
Teaching is a job...good days and bad days and frustration and lots of very rewarding moments. Do your research into the location and prospective employer(s) and then go for it.

Last edited by Serious_Fun on Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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sashajade
Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Minnesota, USA
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:33 am Post subject: |
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I appreciate all your replies to my post.
Glenski, my loans are deferred right now buy I think they are going to be about $400 to $500 per month. I am a 40 year old single woman. I have a B.A. in Theology, but no formal teaching experience. Next week I am beginning a 12 hour volunteer training for ESL at the Literacy Council to get a start. Someone suggested that I do that. In Asia, I am most interested in Japan or China, but I am open to other countries, as well.
Serious_fun, your post was really helpful to me. Particularly when you said "Teaching is a job...good days and bad days and frustration and lots of very rewarding moments. Do your research into the location and prospective employer(s) and then go for it."
I have a tendency to read posts from someone that is just venting and saying "Newbees, do not come here!"(Korea), instead of just "researching the location and prospective employer, and then going for it." That is wisdom right there. Thanks! |
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Serious_Fun

Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:13 am Post subject: |
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sashajade wrote: |
Serious_fun, your post was really helpful to me. .....
I have a tendency to read posts from someone that is just venting and saying "Newbees, do not come here!"(Korea), instead of just "researching the location and prospective employer, and then going for it." That is wisdom right there. Thanks! |
I am happy to read that...my posts are usually wise-guy comments rather than actual thoughtful remarks!
I'm glad that you volunteered for some ESL teaching near your home. Smart move. (good advice..cough cough..)
getting back to the negative posts on these forums:
The reality is that we all go through phases while living and working overseas, and a lot of the posts on online forums are a direct result of, and/or a reaction to, the stage of expat life that we may find ourself in. (Of course we may just be having a crappy day.)
As you prepare for your new life abroad, please remember that you will likely experience the following stages (or stages similar to these):
1. Pre-Move - Preparations! Research! minimizing/shedding possessions, tying up loose ends, acquiring original documents/transcripts, getting notarized copies made, paying off bills, getting medical/dental work if still on good insurance, setting up mail services/online banking, etc. etc. (this stage is done in your home country, obviously...duh)
2. Transition Phase - moving to and setting up your new household in a new country. You have done your research - you know approximately what to expect.
3. Life as an Expat - now you are overseas working...
Culture shock is very real. A quick search found almost 87,000 hits related to this topic:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIC_enUS216US216&q=expat+culture+shock
It is not a working vacation for most of us. If you have personal problems then they travel with you. Teaching is not a vocation for everybody.
okay...that is my quick and dirty introduction to basic Expat Adjustment stage theory.  |
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sashajade
Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Minnesota, USA
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:50 am Post subject: |
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Serious_fun, my ESL Jedi Master, thank you once again for your wisdom! So far I have really tried to refrain from putting wise-guy comments in my posts, which is hard for me because that is totally my sense of humor. So maybe I'll unleash some of that wit on you. Were you the one that suggested I try to volunteer at the Literacy Council? Excellent counsel! I would definitely like to see if it is something I really want to do, rather than traipsing across the globe to do it - although I enjoy traveling. I've been to Peru, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Mexico for 2 month stints each on a volunteer basis during and after college. I'm thinking of this more as a long term career rather than a one year deal. Right now I am trying to figure out the next step down this ESL path, while saving money, and volunteering. What country are you in? What's your story? |
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Tiger Beer

Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:49 am Post subject: |
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I lived in Seoul for years, and really enjoyed living there. My first contract I did not enjoy it much. It's one of those places that if you just grab some job over the internet and end up in some wacko place, you won't enjoy it much. The decent jobs are the ones that don't advertise all over the internet, and you just walk through your favorite neighborhoods and apply, and almost everyone else who works there has also been in Korea for years.
There's a huge divide between foreigners that know the ropes and hang out in completely different circles and places, than those who just signed some internet contract or through an international phone call and arrived in podunk Korea at a podunk school.
I also have to admit the cultures of Japan or China or Vietnam are just a whole lot more interesting, regarding the Korea vs everywhere else debate. |
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deessell2
Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 132 Location: Under the sun
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:24 am Post subject: |
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Having done two tours of duty in Korea, I can honestly say that I hope that I never have to go back. Sure the money is good but the lifestyle did not appeal to me.
Vietnam is a good option, you can save money and have a nice lifestyle. If you want to teach about 30 contact hours you can make the same amount as in Korea. The only bonus is Korea pays for your apartment.
In general Korea seems to attract the desperate/freaky foreign teachers. You have been warned! It is however a good 'bootcamp' for new teachers -- if you can teach there, you can teach anywhere. |
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Mr. Kalgukshi Mod Team


Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Posts: 6613 Location: Need to know basis only.
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:14 am Post subject: |
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Please confine discussions regarding living and teaching in Korea to the Korean Job Forums. Separate registration is required. |
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