Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GranPaPa]

I am new to this forum and heve been reading the postings and realize there is a great deal of complaints about teaching, employers, koreans, other foriegners, etc...

I just received a contract to teach at a Hogwan/Private School in Seoul. My contract is posted under another thread titled CDI Contract.

I plan on Leaving in June/July. As of now I am really wondering what I am getting myself into. I don't want to become a so-called "runner". I'm really looking forward to new cultures and new experiences while making money at the same time. I have no teaching experience but have a degree in Graphic Design. I am a Biracial American Citizen.

What good things can one look forward to in Korea as an English Teacher?

[Seoul_Star]

1. Korean food. Some people tire of it, I never have. If you love it, this is your paradise.

2. Compensation. Rare to find a paid-for apartment and decent compensation for teaching English, let alone paid airfare anywhere else.

3. The experience of being a in a new place. This is where you will find out what type of person you are. This will typically occur within the first 3-6 months, if not earlier.

4. The opportunity to travel fairly easily to surrounding countries. Take a trip to Fukuoka on the weekend, or go to China sometime.

5. If you like children, you may find your job to be personally rewarding.

There are many other things that you can "look forward" to, but I think it's best to enter with an open mind. We foreigners living here tend to come on here and vent, so you will read a lot of negativity on here. This is normal and natural. Most of us have days where we love it, and days where we absolutely hate it.

[GranPaPa]

It's good to hear that not everyone has bad experiences. I have traveled to Tokyo and Hong Kong in the past though i have never lived outside of the US.

Do you or anyone else have advice for a first time teacher with no experience?

[xCustomx]

[Mark7]

1. New Culture - its always good for a new experience. Like one poster said, it depends on what kind of person you are. I've met some foreign teachers who are really outgoing, friendly, and try to experience much of the culture of Korea. Then are those who are really reclusive, complain and moan (I'm talking about the ones who whine about small stuff, not legitimate problems that really screw people over), and just whine it up while in Korea.

2. New Language - I don't know about ya'll, but I enjoy learning languages. Always practicing Korean in front of Koreans is a challenge and a kick, and they are impressed when you try to get to know their language.

3. New friends - "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." I've met some really nice expats in Korea, some with similar personalities to my old friends at home. But, meeting other English-speakers from other nations is an awesome experience too.

4. Being an ambassador - for us public school teachers, we're more of ambassadors rather than teachers, because we bring the culture to them. That's what makes this job more lasting for me, knowing that being mixed-Korean I can show the power of diversity in a land where there are hardly any minorities, and being a minority is being a lone ranger. I'm here to change minds.

[Bibbitybop]

Many people come to this website to bitch and moan about their life. The number of bad stories on her are equaled, if not out-weighed, by good stories. Those stories go untold most of the time as the would-be poster is out enjoying life in Korea, not in front of a PC screen.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

It's a crap shoot. Make sure you have an escape plan if need be. Show some spine and choose your battles carefully. If you luck out or get to know the country and find a gig you love the pros are numerous. Korea's a fabulous country if you have a good idea what to avoid.

[Qinella]

What are the good things about living in Korea? There are tons and tons of threads about this, but I suppose it'd be hard to find them. Here are my thoughts.

1. Very low taxes and good compensation
2. Cheap cost of things like public transit, restaurants and health care.
3. The food delivery system is cheap, fast, and wonderful.
4. For (straight) guys, there are more dating options. All the 20s-30s girls aren't either married or overweight.
5. For me and others, learning and using Korean is exciting.

6. The biggest reason is that simply living abroad, and especially being a minority, makes life much more interesting. Korea has the appeal of living in a foreign land, with the added bonus of being modern and having most luxuries and conveniences. For me, living in the US became boring in and of itself.