Job Discussion Forums

[sanpedro72]

Hey all, I figure this post will reach teachers who have taught in either Turkey or Korea. Here's the deal. I have gotten offers from both places and I welcome helpful individuals out there who can add his and her two cents or pence regarding my rather difficult decision.

My choices are as follows:

1. Bahcesehir (high school), suburb and 1 hour southeast of Istanbul, Turkey:

2. Yeoju (public high school), rural town and 1 hour southeast of Seoul, South Korea:

As for benefits, overall salary ($2,500 USD), vacation and contract clarity, Korea looks better on paper. In fact I lived in Korea before (albeit Seoul), but instead of a lousy hagwon/private academy experience I have a nice opportunity this time out. But again it's Korea where I am not especially fond of weather, food, and cultural idiosyncrasies.

Regarding Turkey, I am more interested in the culture, food, lifestyle end of it. But the salary is a bit under $2,000 USD and I will not begin receiving medical till after January (group plan). I have never been to Turkey and really don't know what to expect in working and living conditions. Perhaps the riskier, possibly dodgier of the two options.

Still the pendulum can swing anyway. Both schools need an answer tomorrow(!) so your immediate replies and pieces of advice are encouraged and much appreciated.

Cheers to you all!

[Anda]

Go with Turkey as Korea is into manufactured exports to keep there economy going a lot more than Turkey and the US and European market are going down hill so expect trouble in Korea soon. Public schools you will have about 40 students per class and be left on your own probably. North Korea is also being tied in a lot lately with the Middle East so trouble could also be coming there also. Korean schools can be both good and bad so it is a luck game.

[parrothead]

Personally, I'd go with Turkey. The pay you will be earning is actually fairly decent, plus the proximity to the rest of Europe is excellent. Korea may be the safe bet, financially, but Turkey may be more fullfilling culturally.

[sanpedro72]

Another issue to note is how well Korea did keep in touch with me, answering all my questions, etc. Now I know they do not stand as the ultimate resource in terms of actually work life, but it gives them the edge only in the integrity department.

For the Turkey school the principal and general manager do not respond to important messages regarding unclear issues regarding health insurance, Visa, accommodation, flight, working hours and holidays. Note: the contract they serviced is only one page in length, filled with guesswork. I wrote a list of questions and emailed them following the interview and then I get a message from the recruiter that they are waiting for my decision...whoa...hello?

So while Korea nags, Turkey goes just the opposite with the whole "too busy" excuse. How can they expect for me to decide if I am not properly informed?

[yaramaz]

Having spent the last 6 years in Turkey (and feeling quite sad to be leaving soon for personal reasons), I'd go with Turkey...though not necessarily with the school you are thinking of, since they haven't been very forthcoming. The salary they offer is more than enough to live comfortably if it includes housing (and even if it doesn't, it's still very doable). There are a lot of other places in Istanbul that could be good for you as well.

[sanpedro72]

It seems Turkey is the place to be. Do to financial considerations (I do not think I could "wait it out" on the funds in my possession), I must choose just this school in Bahcesehir (which I am not even sure how to pronounce) or go to Korea.

One of influences behind choosing a job is to save money so I can go travel or make decisions for real estate. Unfortunately, one cannot be a vagabond all his life :p Turkey is a better place to do make such decisions. Korea ewww...expensive to buy and really not all that interesting.

You have any perspective on the real estate market or how much villas cost?

J

[yaramaz]

It's Bah�eşehir, with the � being 'ch' and the ş being 'sh'. Thus: bah-cheh-sheh-heer (approximately).

As for real estate in Turkey, try www.sahibinden.com and look under 'konak' (housing) and 'satılık' (for sale). If you want to check out rentals, go for 'kıralık'. Prices really vary around the city and country.

[mandalayroad]

I didn't know the salaries were that good in Turkey, it's almost comparable to Korea really. You've been to Korea and didn't seem to like it, so even though the Turkish school seems a bit dodgy I'd go with it anyway. I'd love to live and teach in Turkey some day. Plus hard times are heading to Korea with the U.S. economy in a serious downturn. Turkey is in a better position to be isolated from those factors to an extent.

[keitepai]

Salaries here in Turkey might seem good but if you are in Istanbul like us it is not easy to save money with food costs, winter heating bills especially with a family.
A lot of teaching jobs here are paid in USD too so the US economy does have an effect on us with the exchange rate. All the teachers constantly check the USD rate and gamble on when to change their money!!
Still happy to be here for the experience though

[caustic yeti]

$2,500 a month in korea?
you better double-check the exchange rate....

[naturegirl321]

[amorphous154]

Hey man, I heard Turkey is awesome. I am travelling abroad too but I am broke so I will prob have to go to Korea.

Of course But have you seen Turkiye games on TV man, they are maybe the most spirited fans in the world and because of that Turkey football is the most impassioned like in Euro 08' when they scored 3 goals in 1 half to beat CR 3-2, the best match I've ever seen.

So if your a futbol fan, go to Turkey in 09' and South Africa in 10'!!! Fenerbache (they are in the Champions League which are can't miss if you are there) and Galatarasay are both in Istanbul and so check out a match if you go there. From what I've heard its among the most lively stadium crowds you'll be around. Also I've heard Turkey is warmer, more cultural, and exotic. But yeah, listen to these other ppl here they are really helpful and experienced, I'm just a newbie but love futbol (unlike US Soccer which is almost complete rubbish) lol

PS> Make sure they pay you what they say they do. I got an offer for like 2300 as what the email "said" from Korea too but becuz of the fallen economy its only like 1300 now so convert Won to $ www.xe.com to be sure .

[parrothead]

[ezronamo]

turkey!
even ankara, where i used to live, is not bad.