Job Discussion Forums

[tbigdog]

I am a Uni teacher making between $1,800 to $5,000 a month in Korea. Taxes are very low but I shell out $700/mo for housing. I hate the cold weather here and the unfriendly people. I'm 54,so I am way out of the range to hang with students,maybe parents. I have a BS in Bus Admin,TEFL and 5+ years teaching,2 at uni,2 hs,2 pt elementary ( Korea/Thailand). Looking at net(want pnet). Where can I bank the most money,how is the weather and people?????SUGESTIONS. I am married,27 year old Thai wife traveling with me

[hkteach]

Your salary range seems very extensive - I guess this is because you work varying hours ?? On the NET scheme your salary is the same every month. Even when you have no duties your salary remains the same.

Your upper salary limit in Korea is more than you'd get as a NET because, with 5 years' experience, you would be towards the bottom of the salary scale (can't specify but guessing that it would be low -mid 20K HKD per month). NET housing allowance (12950 per month) will boost your take-home pay so maybe you'd be on low-mid 30K HKD, making it similar to your current max salary.

HK has cold weather too - this week has been cold and grey due to the northern monsoon. No snow here, but 15 degrees feels very cold to some. Summer can be unpleasant - mid 30s with high humidity.

People are a mixed bunch - some are unfriendly and just plain rude. Some are lovely. A trip on the train or bus or perhaps just walking around will allow you to meet plenty of the unfriendly and rude ones. I've actually been pushed out of the way on the street - not such an unusual occurrence here. Many people will avoid sitting next to 'foreigners' on the bus or train - some will if there's no other seat, but others will stand rather than sit next to us (happened to me again tonight on the train) When I first came here, I was puzzled and offended by this behaviour (had my deodorant let me down???) but I realise it's a widespread aversion and just enjoy the extra room ):

Whether your local colleagues are friendly or not seems to vary according to the school and the principal. If the teachers are 'driven' by their principal, they may not be too friendly to someone they regard as working less and earning more than they do = resentment and unfriendliness. At my school, everyone is friendly and nice, from the principal to the cleaning staff so it all depends where you end up.

[tbigdog]

Thanks for the info. I would take 15 degree as it has been (Zero) or below with strong winds,some snow flurries,we don't get much snow in Seoul.
I pay about $700 for my 2 bedroom housing. What's the housing like there? I would consider commuting up to 1 hour each way. Can you find western foods at the supermarkets?
I currently get 4 months paid vacation at $1,800 a month. The higher salary is if I pick up extras,privates,and work 6-7 days a week. Theaching up to 45 hours,my Uni has me for 3 days a week and 18 hours but my commute each day is like 3-4 hours.
Also what's the airfare from HK to Bangkok,Thailand? My wife's from there.

[lambada]

Apart from the pollution, I reckon your lifestyle would be a million times better in HK provided you got a reasonable school. Even with volunteering to do extra classes I only do about 15 hours / week contact. HK is pretty hot on Primary experience in Western countries as it is supposed to involve skills transfer (Pigs saddled etc). However, surviving for several years in Asia is a plus in most people's eyes here. Bangkok is a hop away and there are loads of Thais in Hong Kong for your wife to socialise with. My advice would be go for it. Perhaps even apply independently of the EMB straight to schools.

[erike]

But remember since you are not a qualified teacher there is a salary ceiling.
You should check the government pay scale.

[hkteach]

Yes, you can get western foods in supermarkets here. The local supermarket chains have western foods to varying extents - Dutch, US or Brazilian chicken cuts, Australian or New Zealand sirloin and ribeye steak of varying quality. All have a fairly basic range of pasta sauces, sauces and canned and frozen vegetables.
There are stores that carry an enormous variety of imported meats, fish, vegetables, dairy products and frozen pre-packaged meals. These supermarkets are very expensive.

How much you spend on rent will depend on the area and the type and size of housing. You'd most probably be in a flat but you can also get village houses out in the New Territories - you get the ground floor + garden or the top floor + roof. These don't offer the facilities of apartments (pool, gym, shuttlebus to station etc.) but are usually a lot cheaper and bigger than flats.
You can get a 2 bedroom apartment in some areas for around 6000HKD a month or pay many times that. Most I know find that their housing allowance comfortable covers their rent.

Flights to Thailand 1800HKD - 3000HKD or thereabouts, depending on season and airline, although you can get for less if you're prepared to go over to Macau by ferry and fly on a budget carrier.

[tbigdog]

A few other things. I am 54 ( look and act younger so I do enjoy teaching the lively kids,hair color-baby face,was, and mind set), OVERWEIGHT 115 KILOS, and American. I do smile a lot at all and make people laugh a lot,students and staff. How will I be accepted/treated by the locals,staff,teachers,and at job interview?????

[hkteach]

Like everything else connected with the NETscheme, it all depends on your school.
Being 54 is no big deal - many NETs, both primary and secondary, are in this age group. Generally speaking, age delivers respect as Chinese have a strong sense of family and respect for their elders. You will still have to prove that it's not just age and experience that you've acquired, but also teaching skills.
You might be scary to the kids - not only a 'foreigner' but a BIG one - remember you may be working with primary 1 and primary 2 kids (but it's also possible that schools who want someone to work at upper primary would respond well to your experience with older students).

In any case, be prepared to be regarded as not just big, but "FAT" - sometimes told that directly to your face or asked "Why are you so fat?" I've been asked this (ironically by a teacher about my age who was MUCH fatter than me!! and also by my young and slim TA)
The ones who actually say these things to you apparently have NO IDEA how rude we think this question is.
HK people are quite obsessed with image - the thinner the better - and it is a topic of general discussion.

Your sense of humour will hold you in good stead although if you make jokes, it's likely that nobody will understand them.

[lambada]

Yes the key issue is that you need to know what you're doing even if you rarely actually have to do it.