Job Discussion Forums

[darlynebautista]

My boyfriend and I are seriously considering working together as ESL teachers in either Korea or Japan this coming summer of 2005. From the advice of my friend (who worked in Korea), I found out that it is not all impossible for this to happen. But, our case, however, is a little unique.

To make a really long story short.. my boyfriend and I met as travellers in the Philippines over a year ago. He is American and I am Canadian. Right now, we hold a long distance relationship.

My boyfriend has two 2-year associates degrees, is enrolled to gain his TESOL from a certified college this february, volunteers as an ESL tutor, and is studying japanese. If I may say so (without sounding corny..hehe), he's a great guy - open minded, fun loving, and caring. So, I know he has alot to offer as an ESL teacher.

I, on the other hand, will graduate from university with a Bachelors degree this coming April. I have worked with various immigrant and refugee organisations (locally and abroad), worked as an assistant early childhood educator at a daycare, and am volunteering as a language partner to international students at the university.

Now considering our differing qualifications and citizenship (and if race should play an issue I must add that he is caucasian and i am asian), I would like to know the likelihood of ..

1- us gaining a position as a couple at the same company or school
2- us applying independently of each other but ending up together in the same company or school
3- us applying independently of each other and ending up in the same city (being able to live with or near each other)

We're at a loss at what to do or where to begin!

If anyone could kindly lead us in the right direction (with websites, companies, advice and/or information) - we would really really appreciate it.

Thanks so so much!

[lagerlout2006]

I have spent time in Korea but ---others can talk about Japan.

I would be concerned about this "2 year associate degree" or whatever . If it is not a legit University it will raise red flags at Immigration. It will make things more complicated. Granted I hear of people slipping through so you never know.

As for couples that is a good situation . It is good for them for several reasons. They only need supply one flat for example. (I would ask about this.) Flats can be tiny there so I would ask for an extra room. Or perhaps work out an allowance rather than a free apartment. In that case you could find a nicer place in a better area---but you would need help to do this. Also couples are good because they consider you more stable.

(Mind if I smoke?) Really you are better to ditch the boyfriend and go yourself. Just kidding! But Korea is not the goldmine it was and it's harder to work illegally. You can certainly try and you should get something. A job and up and down part-time work on his part. I'm assuming he can't get a work visa here---go to Korea forum to get more specific info. You should be OK though!

[darlynebautista]

thanks so much lagerlout for the quick reply.

I'm feeling pretty optimistic now, but im still at a loss at what to do. My boyfriend's degrees were obtained from the Milwaukee Area Technical College.. I hope that that is ligit enough so as not to raise any red flags at immigration. He is taking afew Japanese courses at the University of Wisconsin.. would that be more worthy to add onto his resume? Then theres the age old question of how relevant his TESOL will be in gaining a job..

Do you think Korea is a more likely place to take us in together?

[Gordon]

Your boyfriend needs a degree to work in either Korea, Japan or taiwan. Legitimacy of his school, TEFL, experience, Japanese language ability does not account for anything at immigration. These will not help him get a visa. Of course, he may fit through the cracks, but not likely.

As an American, he cannot get a working holiday visa for Japan, so that is also a problem.
I would say Korea would be a better choice, they are more desperate and they do like hiriing working couples. My wife (then girlfriend) and I worked together in 95 at a small school in Korea.

[Guest]

From what I have seen here in China - most schools like to have couples. We have 17 married couples (both teachers) at our School and they seem to feel that the teachers are more stable.

Lets face it, if only one of them was a teacher they would never SEE each other - they would be like ships that pass in the night.

I know my School prefers foreign couples as they only take up one apartment.

[august03]

My boyfriend and I are Australians, I have a Degree, and he has an Advanced Diploma. We had no problems finding a position in China, they actually preferred it because it meant they were getting 2 teachers, one apartment and they thought we would be more stable and adapt easier to life here. They were right. If you can't find work in S.Korea, try China they often advertise for couples, makes life easier for the school.

P.S. Our apartment is huge and spacious, make sure you check about living arrangements though. They wanted to put me in a separate apartment, I had to stress that it was OK that we shared a bed!

[stillnosheep]

If Japanese Immigration accept your boyfriends two 2-yr associate degrees as equivalent to a BA then you would have no problem getting jobs in Japan.

Aeon and Nova will give you a choice as to where you go. With Aeon you don't sign a contract until you have agreed on a school and I've heard of them placing couples in the same city. In two different (single) apartments admittedly but, hey, that can be fun as well.

Good luck.

sns

[darlynebautista]

thanks so much everyone for responding! So it all boils down to getting the right visa (if it is possible). Are teachers stuck with the working visa or E2 visa? since my boyfriend can't use Japan's working holiday visa because he's american, he can challenge his credentials for a working visa? how does one go about doing this? and if this fails, is there another alternative? also, how can one get around the e2 visa in korea?

thanks!

[lagerlout2006]

Frankly a Technical diploma will not get you an e-2 (work ) visa. Then again they are famous for having different rules on different days. A simple thing is to fax or e-mail a copy of the degree to a few employers or agents and see what they say.


Live there with no work visa means leaving and re-entering every time the stamp expires. 30 or 90 days not sure which.

[nolefan]

There are other things to keep in mind beyond the legalities. The two of you have a long distance relationship at this point and you're looking at spending a huge amount of time together....can you really handle that? keep in mind that you will be in a foreign environment without a close knit support system for either of you.
How will you deal with that?

[darlynebautista]

thanks nolefan for the concern.

We are well aware of the concerns you've raised. I don't want to feel like I need to defend us here (nor narrate the story of our relationship) - but we have shared much and have been through much more. Our relationship has been indeed unique or special. Yet, we continue to grow together as we endure each trial. Undoubtedly, a year abroad (again) together would be a definite adventure.

I don't know what the future holds for us, but like any relationship, long or short distance, there are always joyous and difficult times. We're not foolish and we anticipate them both (wherever life may lead us). Forgive me if I sound like a hopeless romantic, but what's the sense of being together if we didn't think we could handle such times?

So please, advise us with the legalities and not your big brotherly wisdom..

[Glenski]

[darlynebautista]

Thanks to everyone for their posts.

They have all been really really helpful. We can now make an informed decision about our future plans.

Thanks again!

[nwsims]

1- us gaining a position as a couple at the same company or school
2- us applying independently of each other but ending up together in the same company or school
3- us applying independently of each other and ending up in the same city (being able to live with or near each other)

Do some testing on many of the ESL websites and then determine if you can go to any of the same cities or work for the same companies. When you post your resumes indicate you want to receive a copy of the contract before you make any decisions.

Good luck.