Job Discussion Forums

[golnboymn]

hey whats up everyone.

my name is mike and i am considering teaching english overseas in asia this coming year after i get my bachlors.

i am currently looking into japan, korea, or taiwan because i want to try to save and pay off debts as much as i can and heard that these countries have the best opportunities (?). but there are a number of concerns that force me to hesitate and rethink my options. i was wondering if anyone could help me out.

my main concern is that i am an asian american. i have read on different threads that although foreign born asians do get discriminated against and do have a hard time finding teaching jobs it is possible. this doesnt bother me as much because i am willing to take on the challenge. but i really would like to know what my chances are. i am considering applying to different language corporations because
1. the hiring process is mostly colorblind (?)
2. pay
3. plane ticket and place already set.

i realize that i will be at a disadvantage because im not white and so i will not get as many job offers or get paid as much. i also realize that this is bullshit. anywayz it will be easier for me to just go corporate and skip all that nonsense.

the only problem is im not really too comfortable with how corporations work and the lack of freedom given. i would rather just head over there and set up shop and start job hunting on my own, as many advise to do. but start up money would be a problem and i dont really know how long the job search is gonna last.

also i have tattoos on my arms that can be covered up with a dress shirt. but i am worried about how ill be treated outside the school in public. i know asian countries dont accept tattoos as widely as western countries do but i was wondering if it will be a major problem especially because i am already asian. if i was going to japan i wouldnt want to be mistaken for a yakuza or anything.

i was also wondering the likelyhood for me to be able to get any privates for extra money.

i really would like to live and work asia and find that teaching english would be a great opportunity. if there are any foreign born asians out there teaching in japan, korea, taiwan or any where else in asia your input and your experiences would greatly be appreciated. i really feel that there should be more information out there for foreign born asians who want to teach english in asia. the irony of the situation is as i have said before bullshit.

or if anyone else out there can help me out i would be greatful.


thanks

[voodikon]

hey. since nobody else has replied, i thought i'd give it a stab. there are, at least in the china forums, a handful of threads discussing non-asia-born asians teaching in china. you might want to peruse those forums (both "teaching" and "off-topic") if you're at all interested in teaching in china.

i'm an amerasian (half chinese) who's taught in china for two years; though i don't meet that many obstacles in terms of appearance (other than dark hair and features i mostly "look white") other than being asked a billion times why my hair isn't "yellow" because all foreigners should have yellow hair, and because i have my (white) father's last name, but i do know quite a few full asian americans working here and have talked to them about these issues.

yes, many of them seem frustrated by the inequity in job offerings. yes, you'll probably be turned down by employers who would be willing to hire a white person without a degree. i've also heard that korea is the toughest place to get a job if you're asian; and back when i was initially applying for jobs with my then-boyfriend (vietnamese american with the face and name to match--he actually started using his "english name," which i'd never even known he had, when applying to jobs overseas), he would get as far as the "ok, send me your picture" phase before he'd get turned downed. eventually he started notifying potential employers up front that he was indeed asian american. that helped weed out the ones who weren't willing to hire asians. it's noteworthy to add also that he has both an m.a. and b.a. in english as well as teaching and overseas living/traveling experience.

i also had a friend who was being paid significantly less than her coworkers; she was convinced it was because she was asian american. but i also have aa friends who are quite pleased with their lives and jobs here, so, yes, it's possible. (and, in fact, one friend, thanks to the fact that he's bilingual, is in an administrative position where he actually hires teachers for his company, and guess what? he looooves hiring asian americans.)

i think there's also some frustration for those in china at least about the insider/outsider status thing. most foreigners receive special foreigner treatment (which can be a good or bad thing), but aas, since they don't look like foreigners, for the most part, don't. though whether or not they can speak the language plays into this as well.

as far as your guess that corporations might have more colorblind hiring practices, i wouldn't put too much weight into that belief. remember, they are businesses, and it's important for them to have white faces to market themselves with. i wouldn't limit my options i guess is what i'm trying to say.

tattoos. at least in china, and if you are talking tattoo sleeves, you'll probably get looks and questions, though individual tattoos are not all that uncommon here. and the sense i get is that china, of all the asian countries, is one of the most lax when it comes to dress code ... but you'd probably still better cover them up when in class.

all right, hope that helps. good luck in your search.

[golnboymn]

thank you for your post i really appreciate it. i can honestly say that i have many doubts about going to asia to teach. but i also would love to take up the challenge. i am currently considering all my options. but being in asia would be a dream.

again thank you wery much for your post.

mike

[voodikon]

then i say go for it. sure, you might meet obstacles, but such is life, right?

[dvasas]

I had a friend that was in the same position in Taiwan difficult at first but long term he did as well as anybody, I would think the tatoos would be ok in Taiwan.

take care