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Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

This post is aimed mainly at those who've been in Asia (or were in Asia) for quite a few years.

I've been here 13 years - two years in Korea and now 11 (and counting) in Hong Kong.

One of my main regrets is the fact that, despite the lengthy amount of time I've been here, I haven't been able to travel around Asia properly. I've been on short holidays to quite a few countries but haven't really gone beyond scratching the surface.

Another regret is not working in other Asian countries, and this is unlikely to change now.

And another is that I still haven't got to grips with an Asian language - and that isn't likely to change either. Unfortunately!

tttompatz · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 11:13 am Post subject: Re: Asian regrets?

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

sydneyuni · Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Sydney

the only regret i have is that having experienced life in a wonderful asian country once i move back 2 my home country life in the rat race will be that much more dreary & stressful....

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

I have spent 10 years in Asia, a third of my life. I regret not making an
effort to learn Chinese properly. I am married to a Singaporean and am quite settled here. I have no desire to return to the uk.

Micro67 · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 297 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Everyone has a bad day once in a while. On those days I regret that I'm not the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, but that probably wouldn't have happened even if I had stayed home.

10 years on, I'm still glad I came.

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

epik_teacher · Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 52

I've been in Asia since 1995, mostly in Korea. The last 4 years have been in EPIK. The problem is, I've gotten too comfortable and lazy here. I'm very fast approaching total burnout on this country and wish I'd have gotten off my ass some years back! One of my personal issues is, I have an MS Ed in online curriculum design. I am also Adobe software certified. I'd like to break into the field, but it is not called for at all here (Korea). The DELTA has a specialty in online/blended learning and the DipTESOL program has a $300 course in the same. Either would be what I'm looking for to help make a transition from ESL in Korea.

I was going to do the CELTA as a prereq for the DELTA or DipTESOL. I haven't had any grammar or that kind of study in many years. I don't specifically have to have the CELTA, but the DELTA/DipT are NOT cheap and if you flunk, you don't get a refund. I can't spare 4 weeks at this time, so as a refresher course, I decided to do the ONTESOL from Coventry House (Canada) instead. It's totally online and I can do a 20 hour practicum anywhere in the world. I've found the ONTESOL is a good course, but I HATE grammar. Smile

I'll finish by Christmas, and can go on after the Holidays.

My biggest regret is that I wish I'd have gotten out of here years ago and been more active in looking at jobs in the field of online teaching/curriculum design long ago. Especially some of the software!

Micro67 · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 297 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

Sudz · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 438

Same as me Micro. Came here for 8 months, which has turned into almost 6 years. I actually DID leave 'for good' after 8 months (to do a 2 month motorbike trip), but ended up coming back after due to a lack of funds.

It's been (mostly) a good ride, though I finally do have an exit plan next year (if all works out). Not to say, I wont come back at some point

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

englishtutor1378 · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 44

No regrets when I left for Asia. Went to Japan and started at Ecc in Kanto.
Loved it and made good coin including everyday privates for a year or so. Then, got a better gig that allowed me to dress down (no hot suits or ties for another year) in a small Eikaiwa. Later, moved to the countryside to work for the Kurashiki BOE (not Interact or dispatch) and that was ok too for about a year.

While I was in Asia, I travelled to 12 countries and over 60 cities with my girlfriend and friends who I all met in Japan. Great lifestyle, a lot of experiences and earned good honest money.

For those of you who are planning to venture.....
only advice I can give you is what do you want to do when you get back? For me, I came back here to North America in quite a bad time. Not much Career jobs here and the teaching industry here in Ontario is hurting. My regret to be honest is coming back to the mundane life. With that said,
being Asian myself who can speak 4 languages and a Native English speaker with over 5 years teaching experience and qualifications I might as well go back!

Teaching in Asia is awesome and if you can hack it, your lifestyle, outlook in life, and overall life experiences will change you forever!

greyskymornings · Joined: 17 May 2011 Posts: 7 Location: South Korea

I think I regret not fully researching what I was getting into. I've been teaching in South Korea, and I think I would have been much happier in Japan. :/ Lesson learned!

englishtutor1378 · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 44

South Korea? Sounds fun! I hear they have strong Judo clubs. When I was there I did see a lot of drunken fights and glass fall down from a building in Seoul. Luckily, no one got hurt. Other than that, it should be ok. Are you in the countryside or something? Is it boring?

Why do you regret it? Many of the guys I met in Kurashiki, Japan loved it and wanted to leave Japan to go back and we were working for the board. Well, you can still go to Japan. Although your experience may not count for too much there as they have that "Japan only" attitude. But you never know..

Feel free to elaborate. Yes, research is important and I spent 3 months on ESL cafe before I chose ECC. The rest is history.