Job Discussion Forums

[TheBee'sKnees]

I have an Associate degree in writing and literature, a BA in Creative writing, and a certificate to teach ESL/EFL. I've taught intermediate writing students in New York City and True beginner level (my favorite!) students in Poland.

I am a 26-year-old female from the US, currently working in the UK. My plan is to fly back to the US at the end of August and fly out to Asia as soon as possible afterwards.

I should also mention that I'm black/hispanic, with a mane of thick curly hair and all. I understand from what I've been reading that my race may close some occupational doors for me, but it's not enough of a reason for me to completely discount any one location. I respect the horror stories I've heard and do take them into consideration (I understand South Korea may be the most harsh in this respect?)

I've been leeching as much information as I can from these boards for aaaaaages, but it's becoming a bit overwhelming, as I find many of the discussions turn into people personally attacking each others' opinions or arguing about food. (?)

I'm not a big party animal, but I don't want to spend weeks on my own either. I do like to go out, but I'm okay going to the same few places over and over again, ya know? I'm a lot more pub than club.

I'm not looking to save a HUGE amount of money, but I don't want to get to the end of a contract with absolutely nothing left to move somewhere else if I choose to.

I sort of have my heart set on south east Asia but I haven't... completely discounted ::grumble:: Korea or ::grumble:: Japan (if anyone has major reasons not go to these places I am very open to them!).

I'm in a relationship (but traveling solo) so I'm not really looking for a heavy dating scene, but I also don't want to be completely shunned on a platonic level for not burning my hair with straighteners/chemicals (been there, done that).

I keep flip-flopping with this decision (Bangkok, no, HCMC, yeah, definitely HCMC. Ehhhh, no, definitely Bangkok, or what about Hanoi? Haaaaang on a minute. How about Cambodia? But I really want to go to Bangkok! But I'll be a pauper. But does the money matter at this point? Ack, I'll just go to HCMC. No, Hanoi.)

Is there some great place that I'm not considering? Any input would be greatly appreciated. I really want to be able to travel to nearby countries while I'm out there. Any word on which place would make the most convenient base-geographically and financially?

Also (most importantly for me at this time) would it be logical for me to fly out in October/Novemberish and expect to find a decent job? Should I look for work ahead of time?

All of the little 'boring' and mundane details about any place are fully welcomed as well. It would be great to hear some details I haven't heard before. Don't think I won't be interested because, believe me, I will!

Help!

[Glenski]

I believe you're going to need more than an associate's degree. I think Korea requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree, like Japan does. In Japan you can get around that with 3 or more years of experience, but otherwise the visa requirements are just that stiff.

[lmbeharry]

My heritage is multi-ethnic, and my skin is brown - dark brown in the summer sun.

South Korea (which had been a client state of the U.S. during the time of the Cold War) aggressively adopted WASP values - including some of the more negative ones - including a prejudice against people of color. Some of the best ones - capitalism (en masse). It seems that everyone in Korea has some kind of business or shop.

I worked in South Korea for two years. My first job was OK. My boss had spent time in New York and was a really fair guy - in Cheongju Korea.

Then I worked at University and I had a real eye-opener during a lecture I once gave on race relations in the U.S. One of the student participants blatantly came out and told me that Black U.S. soldiers commit more "accidents" than white soldiers. She used the exact word "accident", but the connotation was clear. (I asked her whether she had hard statistics regarding the "accidents" that blacks commit in Korea.)

I also came of the impression that perhaps professors did not trust that I could produce on a substantive level. As I was a Social Sciences Professor, it seemed odd that they demanded that I teach English and not Culture or the like.

There are very few people of color in South Korea. And generally, as you may see in the posts, Korean schools are looking predominantly for WASPs from the U.S. or from Canada. Korea is enamored of white culture.

I have not experienced any overt racism in Mongolia. But the country is very corrupt. There is little honesty in this place. But, if you can put up with the crap, the country is vast - wide-open - and beautiful. The crap is corruption, huge disparity between the haves and have nots, and overcrowding in the capital city - Ulaanbaatar.

I have not visited China.

I have visited Japan, but the living costs there are exorbitantly high.

Taiwan is allegedly a great place, but I have not been there. They frequently advertise for ESL positions. But Taiwan was also a client state of U.S. and I'm not sure how their culture adapted to U.S. values including racism.

Good luck.

Lyndon

[TheBee'sKnees]

[HarryG]

Hi-I can't really advise as I'm a complete newbie but I'm having the exact same dilemma. Would love to pick your brains-what are the factors that are swaying you each way?

I'm doing my CELTA in Bangkok but I don't think I'll stay there when it finishes-partly the salaries but also just gut instinct that it's not my scene long-term. However-sounds like you can get to excellent beaches for weekends/public holidays out of town. Might be worth looking at Chiang Mai too

I don't have the Japan bug either-another gut instinct. I also think from reading other people's comments that Korea and Taiwan seem to be places teachers go to to save up rather than as entirely satisfying destinations in themselves (please-noone get offended-I know I haven't been-it's just an impression from what I've read!)

Have considered Indonesia too-but I can't quite work out if there's any jobs in places where there is surf...seems unlikely

Was considering HCMC too and have been in contact with some schools there-however, the main distinction between Hanoi and HCMC seems to be that Hanoi is slightly more laid back with a greater French influence/colonial architecture etc-for me that sounds more like all my favourite towns from Europe/South America etc so the decision is made for me really. Money seems ok there too-this seems to rule out most of indo-china for me unfortunately (lots of debts already)

Hope you make the best choice for you-maybe see you around out there(siempre quiero practicar mi espanol-pero es terrible, enscerio)

Good luck!