Job Discussion Forums

[Noelle]

I actually don't want to leave Korea. I've worked here before and I'm determined to stick it out at least for this semester if not longer. I was here two years ago and had a great experience and now I feel like I am in an even better teaching situation than before.

The problem here is simply the food. I apparantly have an allergy to that spicy red stuff they use on the food and the doctor has just told me I have to avoid MSG which is on almost ALL Korean food. I've been severly sick twice within the last 3 weeks because I accidently ate something that touched that red paste. I've actually been advised to avoid all Korean food but it's hard because I'm not in Seoul.

Japanese food has never given me trouble here or at home and I love it. I just never really considered working in Japan.
I hear the cost of living is much higher than in Korea and that students are a nightmare while Japanese teachers have absolutely no control.

If I came to Japan, it would be for the sake of the food and to stay in Asia. I'd want to be near Korea and China as I've worked in both countries and have many friends there.

I should also mention that I have a Masters in TESOL and really don't want to teach below the high school level.

Can anyone offer some advice or encouragement?

[groothewanderer]

Cook at home.

[Noelle]

Uh... thanks. How do you think I'm still alive?


Anyone else...? This is really a bit discouraging.

[jgmodlin]

Don't let all the talk of high prices scare you off. I just returned from teaching in Tokyo for the past 7 years and was able to save a fair sum of money. Trains/Subways are costlier than Korea, but you will end up being paid for transportation to your teaching gigs. Most people end up getting a train pass which is covered by the employer. Food I found to be about the same as Korea (in price of course) and yes, there are plenty of non-spicy paste enhanced options. Apartments can be affordable enough if you place yourself 20 minutes out of the major cities and avoid the trendiest places. Unlike the US, you don't really have to worry about a cheap apartment landing you in an unsafe environment (something I have had to be aware of again back home).

When you hear the teachers aren't in control of the classrooms, it is really more in the sense that they allow students to sleep and make excuses for them as to why they aren't motivated to participate in your lessons. I have never witnessed any sorts of discipline troubles at all. Just the conformity of Japanese society would stigmatise the student so badly in the eyes of his or her classmates, that they wouldn't dream of acting up. To a certain extent you can also control the type of school you land in by researching the city and not applying at a few of the schools in lower socio-economic areas.

I have visited Korea and liked it, but Japan offers a pretty good deal all around. Good pay, generally mellow people, and no hassles from employers. Good luck!

[azarashi sushi]

I think groothewanderer has given you the best advice. You have a great job that you like and you love korea so just cook at home or eat at western restaurants.

Have you actually eaten Japanese food in Japan? If you can afford to eat at expensive restaurants, you'll get some nice food... But food that is available cheaply in Japan is pretty nasty in my opinion... And the lack of variety will drive you crazy so you'll end up cooking at home anyway.

And remember... Japan invented MSG!

[jgmodlin]

I actually found the food to be pretty good. You can usually find a place with a set lunch "teishoku" for around 500 or 600 yen. As far as variety goes, I was amazed at all of the Japanese food I never knew existed. Anyway, think about your home country, how many Korean restaurants were there? how many Japanese restaurants? On the east coast of the USA Korean families almost always run Japanese restaurants.

MSG I suppose is common across all of Asia. I guess you will have to try through trial and error to get around it. I have found that the average Japanese person doesn't even know what it is, or that it is generally not considered a good thing additive in the west. There is always sushi though, nothing but soy and wasabi and affordable (kaiten) goodness.

[taffer]

This will sound corny or worse, presumptuous...

The truth is, you have already made the decision to leave. So come. Welcome, Noelle. The best way to know is to go. So go.

You want reinforcement, advice. I could type it all out for you, but...

I taught in Apkujung Seoul and Busan. Loved Busan.

In any case, I know what you are talking about. I fell for Japan on a visa run from, you guessed it, KOREA. I wanted so badly to just dump the Korean gig and live here, that is how impressed I was, this is 1998, Fukuoka...

Busy like Korea but breezy emotionally. You will miss the full on-ness of Korea, and find a kind of aluminum lightness of being here. At least I hope you do.

Give it a shot is all I can tell you. May be lots of competition just now because of the NOVA thing. Ah well, with your qualifications, you might be alright. On that score I just don't know. I work for American Language School and have been treated right.

Good luck to you fellow wanderer and Dok Poki veteran.

[ironopolis]

[Noelle]

Thanks for the advice.

I wasn't aware that Japanese food used MSG at all. What I've eaten has been MSG free.

I think it's pretty hard to avoid the stuff altogether but it's the red pepper paste (po chu ka ru) here in Korea that is really dangerous for me. I got so sick from it once that a stomach muscle actually tore. It was pretty painful.

In any case, I'm not sure Japan is the answer either if what I'm hearing about the food is true. I'm pretty fussy in general and avoid most Asian food... Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean... everything but Japanese seems to bother me. I most definitely did not come here for the food.

In any case, I'll look into it a little bit more. I'm staying here long enough at least to finish this thesis. Thanks again for the advice...

[Grasshopper]

Maybe you could stay in Korea but find a place that has more western food or food you could eat? I don`t know anything about Korea, but it seems that if you`re happy there, then it would be a good place to stay.

...maybe just do more cooking?

But if you really want to leave, then just try different places, Japan or anywhere until you find where you`re really happy.

Good Luck.

G

[azarashi sushi]

I think most people who know Japanese food from only outside Japan, only really know sushi. I think because westerners are so obsessed with everything being low fat that sushi seems such a great food. And, they mistakenly think all Japanese food is super healthy. Think again!

If you prepare your meals at home (or better still, have a Japanese mother-in-law to do it for you!) and eat lots of burdock root, wakame, mustard spinach, raw tofu etc., then yes, Japanese food is really healthy. But, you can prepare very healthy meals at home anywhere in the world. It doesn't have to be Japan.

People go on about how healthy sushi is ... Of course the fish is good, particularly if you eat the oily fish like mackerel, salmon etc which are high in DHA. And, of course all things in moderation... You wouldn't eat three meals a day of sushi. Nevertheless, can someone explain to me how eating a bucket load of boiled white rice and no vegetables is healthy, aside from being low in fat?

Don't even get me started on ten don (oil, batter, white rice, maybe one or two prawns), ramen (oil, salt, starch) or katsu don (deep fried meat, bread crumbs, white rice)! If you're eating those, then you might aswell be eating at McDonalds.

The other thing to remember, Noelle, is that if you've eaten one piece of sushi/tempura/whatever in Japan, you've tasted everything the country has to offer in that department. There is no variation. It drives you mental. I'm sure it's the same in Korea though. While I do like sushi ... plain white rice, raw fish, wasabi and soy sauce do have their limitations taste wise.

Anyway, if your only problem is that Korean red paste, then you're pretty well safe here. However, if you are generally sensitive to foods and are a picky eater, then Japan well not provide any magical solution. You certainly won't be able to eat anything from a convenience store. Food from convenience stores is literally dripping with preservatives and chemical additives. Every so often I hear conbini horror stories. I heard one from a teacher at my school the other day. At the time this happened, her son was overseas and had been overseas for at least six weeks. She decided to clean up his room and found an old rice ball (onigiri) under his bed. So, that rice ball would have had to have been at least six weeks old .... AND .... GUESS WHAT??!!! It was still as fresh as a daisy!!! No smell, no mould, no nothing! Ready to eat!

Talking about MSG reminds me of one night we were having a gyoza night at a friend's house. We all sat around making and cooking gyoza. Her mother made the filling for us... Minced pork, nire, onion, whatever else (I can't remember) and a nice generous helping of MSG!

I haven't worked in Korea although I have been there on holiday. I do tend to think Japan is the nicer of the two as a place to live and work. However, if you like Korea and have a good job that you like, just deal with the food issue. I think it would be foolish to change ONLY because of the food. Deal with it.

[AndyH]

If you really want to stay in Korea, why not consider moving to Seoul?
But, if that isn't an option, I would recommend giving Japan a try. I moved to Japan from Korea in 2002, and never regretted it. You'll be close enough (especially if you are i western Japan or Kyushu) to Korea in order to make periodic visits, and you might even end up liking Japan.
And, as far as the money goes, I did find it possible to save money and have a good time.

[Noelle]

I'm really curious now... food issue aside...

Why do so many foreigners seem to prefer Japan over Korea? Not just teachers but many migrant workers here in Korea have said they'd much rather be in Japan and so have members of the U.S. military.

Is this simply because Japan is more developed than Korea? Is it cleaner, more exciting, friendlier, safer, more westernized... or what?

I've not lived in Japan but I've taught many Japanese students in the U.S. I actually prefered them to the Korean students but when it comes to teaching in Asia... Korea is an awesome country for Christians ... at least from my point of view. This place is quickly becoming an epicenter in the world for evangelical Christianity. I personally love it, but I wonder if this part of the reason why so many foreigners prefer Japan?

What else does Japan have that Korea doesn't... besides more freedom with the work visas?

[Quibby84]

Japan being safe and clean are my favorite things about Japan....customer service is also amazing...most of the people are super friendly and will go out of their way to help you...uhmmmm

There are churches but probably not as much as Korea...it is by no means the "epicenter in the world for evangelical Christianity". It is very easy to be a Christian here, no one will ever condemn you BUT it is pretty hard to have a discussion about religion like I was able to do ALL the time in the states....so Korea is probably better in that area....

But Japan is super nice, I am sure you would like it...[/code]

[osakajojo]

I love living in Japan partly because I don't hear any Christians talking to me about Christ. Really it is great living in a country where Christianity isn't preached. Once every few months the JoHo comes by to give me a Watchtower mag but that is the extent of the religious bullshit that I hear.