Korean Job Discussion Forums

[michi gnome]

...if so, i'd appreciate your stories & sage words of advice

for the gnome eventually plans to make his way to the wilds of the arctic north

perhaps bearing a fresh supply of kimchi as a peace offering

did you find that the experience changed you radically, that after leaving you were never the same? did you start to resemble jack nicholson in the Shining?

...assuming of course, that there is at least 1 person in K-land who has taught there, survived, & responds to this post

[Travelous Maximus]

Isn't that in Siberia? Are you teaching in a tribal village?

[Canadian Club]

One of my friends taught there, and two others worked there in non-teaching jobs.

The teacher had to deal with a some young kids with substance abuse problems, abusive parents, and a very very high cost of living. Of course, she also met some amazing people, but the alcoholic kids really affected her.

The non-teachers had an awesome time!

[uberscheisse]

my co-worker taught in inuvik 2 separate times... for a total of 3 years, i think. i'll tell her to check this post and see if she has any wisdom to impart upon thee.

[RACETRAITOR]

I've never been north of Bon Accord (30 minutes north of Edmonton). It's one of my life goals to see Northern Canada.

Check out Mount Thor, Earth's greatest vertical drop at 1250 meters.

[Octavius Hite]

I'm from Inuvik, my hometonn, but i havent been there in 20 years. Nothing to offer other than my excitement at hearing people talk about Inuvik.

[simone]

My folks are still up there. Dad was a principal in the Nunavut board of education, 15 odd years or so. They're planning on leaving the north for good in about 6 months.

Would only recommend it if you're a total masochist.

PM me. I'm sure Dad could forward your resume to the right folks. He's been retired now 5 years or so but still knows most of the people.

[michi gnome]

thanks to all for heeding the call & replying to this thread

Inuvik--very curious as to where exactly it is? (the map I have is crap, & haven't found it on internet maps)

i spent a little time in Alaska in the seafood industry, & love the far north

the white nights or complete darkness for weeks at a time, the weird people, the isolation

though wouldn't want to be stuck there forever

i've read about the high cost of living, but also that there are lots of subsidies for teachers--as far as housing, and an isolation benefit to lure people up there

there are places in Alaska where ya can't get a TV signal, & maybe there's just 1 local radio station--curious to see how much of the rest of the world do folks in Nunavut (or Northwest Territories) soak in

simone--thanks for the offer of forwarding my resume, i will keep it in mind. it may be a couple years yet before i try to head up there

[uberscheisse]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuvik

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunavut

[the1andonly]

I live in the North, not Nunavut though.

I have also worked with aborginal youth and often, their families.

Of course you will face some barriers: social problems, alcoholism, drugs, domestic violence, sexual abuse, poverty etc Not to mention the overt racism towards anyone other than native. But once you do establish yourself as a caring, culturally sensitive person, you can only but hope to make a difference.

Im so happy to hear about your plans. There is much help needed in the North. Good luck, and please keep an open mind.

[crazy_arcade]

My parents taught there years and years ago. It can be an amazing experience from what I've heard.

[simone]

My parents really liked the experience. They fancy themselves "world travellers", having lived in Africa in the sixties, and then settling for boredom in Ontario to raise three kids, (at least until I, the youngest, was 16). Then they took off again.

Dad was a principal in (counting) six different communities, from Broughton Island, Rae-Edzo (NT, not NU), Resolute Bay (don't get any more northern than that) and finally, Chesterfield Inlet. They were also in Inuvik for a year or so... the largest community they were in up there.

I went to high school briefly in Iqaluit/Frobisher Bay... I worked up there in the summers, in Inuvik, and Yellowknife (2 summers). One summer was typing witness statements for the RCMP - lots of person-on-person violence and sexual assaults, esp. alcohol related.

Mom is still running a small hospital for seriously developmentally handicapped children - it's the second largest employer in Chesterfield Inlet... after the hamlet/gov't.

I can tell you soooo many stories, but I bet that the overall tone would be negative. I hated it up there... I grew up in a rural area in Ontario, and I always craved the city. I like being in Seoul, working downtown, etc. Give me the city lights anyday.

As far as TV now - they have satellite tv and a PVR... just like a tevo. They have broadband internet now. It's slowly coming across the north. I was just on MSN with Dad now....

[jdog2050]

[Ilsanman]

I am curious about that place.

I have head alcoholism is a huge problem, as well as illiteracy and suicide. Is that true?

Also, the high cost of living: I guess that's because everything is imported. But I also head you get some tax breaks.

What about finding a place to live?

[uberscheisse]