Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tflynn]

My wife and I are considering teaching English abroad -- but we have 2 children (almost 4 yrs old and an infant), and I wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with that kind of situation.

Specifically, we were thinking of Korea, probably for 2-4 years (our oldest does not start kindergarten for another 18 months).

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

-- T

[bellum99]

It is hard. Really hard. I would not recommend doing it usually. Korea is difficult for single people. There are so many issues to deal with that I would question the wisdom of doing it. My son was born here and it is still difficult (he speaks perfect Korean and English). I would leave the option of going back home available...don't burn bridges at home.

[crazylemongirl]

I knew of a couple that had a three-year old with them. They seemed to do really well. In the daytime the wife worked in a public school, and during the afternoon-evening the husband worked at a hogwon. The little one went along to the hagwon in order to socialize with her peers. They were also very fortunate that a young boy a few years older living next door to them who acted as an 'oppa' (old brother). They seemed to really enjoy their time here and if it hadn't been for a contract dispute, would have stayed on another year.

That being said, you do need to consider housing a lot of places just provide one room apartments, childcare, steady job etc. Get a job that has medical insurance (I would recommend at least one of you get a job in the public sector) as their little one was often sick with coughs and colds. I would also make sure that you are close to or living in a big city.

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Don't do it! Your kids will constantly be harrased with teenagers taking cellphone pictures.

I remember the horror stories my co-worker's wife would tell.

[tflynn]

Really? Cell phone cameras? What kind of horror stories?

Everyone, thanks for the replies -- I know it could be very difficult, and that's why I'm looking for advice.

Keep the posts coming!

[tzechuk]

Do you mean to say that your oldest won't start kindergarten for another 18 months, or won't start junior (elementary) school for another 18 months? I am a bit confused.

Yes, other children will be really curious about your children because they are white but I don't think they are racist or malicious about it.

The only problem I foresee is finding suitable care for your infant. Almost all the daycares I know don't take in children younger than a year old and that's stretching it a bit.

Korean people normally have family members look after their offsprings while they go back to work.

Of course, you could get a full time nanny and I know people who do it - but that's about 25% (between 1-1.5m a month for both children) of your combined income gone.. do you necessarily want to do that?

Now that there are public school jobs, perhaps one of you can do a public school job, whilst the other goes to a hagwon, then one of you will be at home in the morning and early afternoon; whilst the other will be home fairly early to take over.. but still there might be an hour or two in between when you will need someone to look after them.

Perhaps a uni gig if you can get it? But you will be very tired.

If you can get childcare sorted out, I see no reason why your children won't enjoy the experience.

[dunmore]

I also have 2 kids and am working in a kindergarten. My eldest, 3, is a student at the school. We get a 30% fees discount. My youngest goes to a Korean daycare centre (he started at 10 months). He is the only foreigner there, but I think that just means that they love him even more. My boss acts as a translator if there are any issues. That costs W500 a month. So basically half of my income is taken up by childcare and school fees.

I can't comment on school accommodation as we are not living in an apartment provided by the school.

It is true that they get a lot of attention from people all the time we go out. But I don't mind it, the people always say that my kids are beautiful and are just being friendly. I have found Korean people very kind to our children. There are playgrounds everywhere. Each apartment complex has one, and there are also numerous others attached to small parks. High school girls do like to take pictures on their hand phone camera's, but they're just having fun, and it can be a laugh to talk to them. My kids often get little presents from random strangers on the street, such as an orange, a balloon, ginseng candy (yuk!), carton of milk. Just people being nice.

In short, I think Korea is a wonderful place to bring kids.

[JZer]

I am curious. Can foreigners who have legal work in Korea send their children to Korean public schools? I know that legal foreigners can do this in the US. I know several grad students who had children and they went to school in the US at tax payers expense.

[tzechuk]

[Homer]

Well I live here with my wife and son (he was born here however and my wife is Korean).

Notwithstanding the silly "it will be hell for your kids" posts in here....it can be tough for you guys to come over with two kids for the following reasons:

1- Accomodations

School provided accomodations will typically not be big enough for a family of four (based on North American or european standards for lodging size of course). The school will usually not provide a larger place (it costs them more) hence you will have to find your own.

2- Costs

You will have to pay for daycare (for your youngest) and eventually for school for your oldest. If you want your oldest to go to an international school as he will most likely not be fluent in Korean then it will cost you a fair bit.

Taking these two points into account...you can do well here but you will need to search for good jobs and have access to these better jobs as well, this means you need the credentials/contacts/qualifications/experience to get to these better jobs that pay more.

If you do that you will be sitting pretty and will give your kids a great opportunity to live abroad and learn new things!

There is a family like you that moved into to Busan this past fall. They are both career teachers and have 2 kids as well (one 18 months old and a 3 year old I think). They got jobs at an international school and at a public school. Both got higher end positions and they each get a housing allowance. They found their own place and as far as I know they live well. Their kids are also doing very well and their oldest has made friends at his daycare already.

No horror stories there.....just some adaptation and some initial culture shock!!

Cheers and good luck.

[cmr]

First of all, I'd like to know what your current situation is. How do you handle having a son who doesn't go to kindergarten yet and an infant? If your wife stays at home, you may want to consider doing the same while in Korea.

I am in the situation where I teach in a public school and my wife works in a hagwon. Unlike some other people, I do not recommend that option. Yes, it may allow you to have one of you with the child/children at all times or at least most of the time, but you end up having no real life as a family and as a couple. Is that what you're looking for coming to Korea?

I work 5 days a week, but she works 6. Of course, not all hagwons have a 6-day schedule and I believe that most don't anymore, but I could be wrong. When I leave for work in the morning, she's asleep. When I come home in the afternoon, she's already gone to work. I see her late at night, when she comes back from work. I am married to a Korean, so my mother-in-law helps us a lot with the child.

The good part about working in a public school is that you get more vacation than in hagwons (by the way, if you're wondering what a "hagwon" is, it's a private institute. So, an English hagwon is a private English language school. Keep in mind that a hagwon is just a business, not a school.) However, my vacation and my wife's vacation are never at the same time, except for national holidays.

If the two of you are going to work in Korea, then I would suggest that both of you try to find public school jobs, or one in a public school and the other in a university. There are good hagwons, but they are hard to find. Then again, there are bad public schools as well... nothing's perfect!

One more thing, there is no problem sending your oldest son into a kindergarten. I taught in two different kindergartens in the past and I had some kids of his age. Of course, you wouldn't send your infant there. I know one woman who has her son taken care of by a retired couple. The father comes home early in the afternoon and picks up his son. If you could find someone to help you out like that, that would be great but may be difficult if you don't know anyone at first.

Oops! One more thing again! Our daughter does get a lot of attention whenever we're out shopping, in a restaurant, a park or just about anywhere, but there's nothing bad about it. Koreans like to touch kids a lot. Sometimes, it makes me a bit uneasy, but there's nothing to worry about. I don't know what someone meant by "horror stories"... maybe that person heard something from someone who heard something.... Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, Koreans have always been very kind towards our daughter and there is not a single "horror story" I could tell you.

[Hanson]

Here's a thread you may find interesting - not sure if it will answer your questions, though.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=4985

FWIW, I have a 17-month-old and my wife and I are lucky enough that my salary allows my wife to stay home with our daughter. However, with 2 kids and starting out in Korea fresh, that's a different story.

Perhaps you could tell us a little more about your (you and your wife) prospects job-wise, what your overall plan would be (both working - same/different place - need help taking care of the kids - daycare...), and we can give you better advice.

Also, I have a friend who has lived in Korea for 8 years or so, who has 4 children (3 of them in school). He is Deutch, with an American wife. His kids all do well in Korean school, all speak Korean fluently, and although he's had a few cash-flow issues, he and his family seem very happy here. For those of you who might know, he has authored a book on Korean culture.

[Juregen]

My son is 21 months and send him to a kindergarten. I pay 300.000 per month.

the hours are 9 to 15, but we can extend it to 17, ofcourse you pay more.

[bellum99]

I am not saying don't do it....but you must understand that this is really not the same as home. There is a lot to learn and adapt to. You have to be prepared take a lot of idiotic nonsense with a smile. You can bring young children with you and survive...but I just think you must be ready to go back home if things turn out bad here.

**** Often things can become very very bad working in Korea. Keep the emergency money ready.

[JZer]