Korean Job Discussion Forums

[aphong420]

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[jlb]

I know someone in your situation and while not being ridiculed there is definitely some confusion. She looks Korean so people automatically assume she can speak and look to her to translate, etc. When she can't understand anything, some people get a big angry.

[DCJames]

Basically, you're a Korean who can't speak Korean. You're pretty much a dufus in their eyes.

Most will simply ignore you.

[aphong420]

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[ttompatz]

[Sash]

[ChuckECheese]

[I-am-me]

I worked with a Korean-American. He was an outcast. Basically a disgrace to the korean culture. He was despised by the other korean teachers. I kinda felt sorry for him. Eventually he left to teach in Japan.

[aphong420]

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[fizban]

Aphong,

Howdy bro! We're pretty much in the same situation, Korean Americans who don't speak Korean.

As negative as everyone makes it sound, when I was in Korea in 2004-2005 (not teaching), I did experience a kind of "race on race discrimination" and yes you are chastized by older men quite often. But it's really what you make of it.

If you try to understand Korean culture and don't let it irk your "American sensibilities", you'll find that there are just as many Koreans who are friendly.

[Gwangjuboy]

Most Korean Americans I've met can't speak Korean either. Even those that do generally don't speak Korean very well.

[EMKAYES]

I have a Korean American who speaks little Korean, but apart from Koreans talking to her in Korean and she not understanding she has been fine.

Coming to Korea as a KA, you will have a different experience from the usual whitey. But I think only slightly. And not necessarily in a bad way!

At least you will be able to walk down the street/sit on the subway and not have kids point/laugh and old guys stare at you. Or people stop you on the street to practice their English.

Come over. It�s a great place. Also best place to be if you wanna learn the language.

And some of Korea's most famous current "talent" are Korean Americans. And some don�t speak Korean!

[HAITAITIGERZ]

don't worry about a thing Andy ... u'll do fine here ... i don't know what people are talking about ... ur no dufus ... ur coming to korea to teach english and learn a little korean along the way, see family, and meet new friends ... this will be a great experience for you, especially because of your young age ... people have a tendency to have a hard time here because they are all alone when they come to korea ... after a while the only thing that keeps them here is the money ... pathetic ... atleast u have family to fall back on and give u support, you have the best reason to come here so don't be discouraged with wut other people say ... the foreigners here with a E2 visa are english 'slaves', even the government treats them bad, with their restrictions and unreasonable commitment to the job ... we got it easy bro, we got the F4 visa ... in my experience, i get paid more, i can leave my job as i please, only to find another one whenever i like ... and like you, i have my family here which i visit from time to time ... unless you're a gyopo, noone knows wut its like to be a gyopo in korea AND ITS GREAT! the ladies love gyopos and it doesn't hurt if your good looking too ... U GOT IT MADE! im sure not all 100% of all the gyopos in korea do well here but that's probably because they messed it up some how; losers in their prospective country will probably be losers in korea as well ... be friendly and you will see other people wanting to communicate with you, no matter how difficult it may be ... especially in a school setting ... i worked at a few hagwons and the relationships between the co-workers and me have been great ... they bend over backwards to help me out ... in fact, they blame themselves for not knowing enough english as opposed to me not knowing enough korean ... as long as you got a leveled head and don't go around town thinking your better than someone, you'll do fine ... so come over and stop asking stupid questions ... by the way, if your a US citizen with an F4 visa, you don't need to worry about going to the korean army ...

[aphong420]

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[ardis]

I'm pretty much in the same situation as you. I'm ethnically Korean, but was raised, erm...Italian and Irish. This May, I'm graduating with my BA in English Literature and Language, and I'm pretty worried about being treated like crap in Korea. Luckily, my boyfriend and three of my friends (all white) are coming, too.

Tell us how your experience goes! I hope you have an awesome time.