Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Forbidden-Donut]

I'm at the point where I'm sure I want to come to Korea....the only thing stopping me is I'm afraid of pulling the trigger.

I've been convinced I want to come do this for about two weeks, but I keep getting fearful, hesitant and generally unsure that I'm making the right move. Feel I'll be missing out on live over here, etc etc.

Did this happen to you? What was on your mind stopping you, and what helped you finally pull the trigger?

[zeppelin]

Well, if you think in terms like 'pulling the trigger' no wonder you're nervous

Coming to Korea isn't going to jail. If you don't like it or it doesn't work out you can go home, or try somewhere else, anytime you like with minimal loss.

You're not 'pulling the trigger' you're trying something out.

[Bibbitybop]

Think of people living in third world countries, true war zones and prisons. The look at the money you will making and the partying you will do. Think of meeting people from all over the world and having most of your friends back home with they had the chance and courage to do it.

Like Tom Petty said, "Most of the things I worry about never happen anyway."

[SuperFly]

Just think, 11 - 15 years ago many of us who came over didn't have the internet to do research, ask questions, or post threads like this. We came over anyway and it was through word of mouth and friends that we learned how to deal with Korea and Koreans. I prefer the old way, but have adapted to this "internet" thing. I wonder how todays young fresh college grads ever do anything without first asking their internet peers 100's of questions first.

When I came over, I tried to build relationships and learn from the people who came before me about how to do things. It was, as I recall...more fun than sitting on a computer and typing. Those were the days my friends, we thought they'd never end We'd sing and dance for haggies and We'd live the life we choose - We'd fight and never lose - For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...

[sojourner1]

I was very nervous my first time crossing the great wide open Pacific, but the only thing to fear is finance related matters in life such as if the first job were not to work out and I went broke. My fears were always money related vs. fears like fear of flying, going to foreign countries, and meeting other people. Of course, as with any fear, you can only face the music and address what you think is a problem by diving in and doing something about it in a tactful manner.

Yea, one of my big big fears also was missing my mother in what could be her last year of life and it sure was her last. I dunno how I knew 9 months ago, because she was doing just fine as she had all my life, but I just had a hunch and sure enough it happened in September about 3 weeks ago. When I first came over, I was scared of 2 things; 1. my job wouldn't work out or I wouldn't get paid and be stranded, 2. my mom or a family member would die. At least 1. didn't come true, yet.


Guess there are some things to take into mind and be aware of. As for being prepared for potential problem 1., bring thousands of Dollars, Pounds, or Euros if you can. As for being prepared for potential problem 2. have life insurance on your parents and be ready to lose $3000 to $4000 US in total expenses at any given time for an emergency trip home. This figure includes flight, misc. expenses, and lost salary, but doesn't include what happens if life insurance lacks. As for life insurance, I am up a creek and probably will be in more trouble with that. Make sure your parents carry it as to not burden you, especially if you're American since dieing is big business in America that can = something close to a year's take home pay of debt.

It's normal to be a little fearful the first time you do something such as making a leap into the unknown. Just do it...

[NoDolan]

I quit my Fortune 500 job and sold my car already and I'm still in the states without a job in Korea. I keep getting the run around and bait and switch from the recruiters and now I'm second guessing myself. California isn't cheap and I don't have any income now.

[ehsann24]

dont be scared...korea wont bite..you will last atleast a year here...I came here with my wife when she was 4 months preg and had the same doubts but it worked well for us......and now after 2 years I have reached a point where I cant take this anymore and quitting end of december...

[silentpartner2]

[thiophene]

I'm in the same boat. eeeeeek. eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! But most of my fears come from what I'll be missing from home. What I didn't expect was to have my family and friends constantly telling me how much they'll miss me, it's truly endearing, totally unexpected, but it's making it harder for me to want to go. And my dad's an oldie and sometimes I feel guilty taking away 1+ year(s) between our relationship when he doens't have much time left. But I know I'll reget it for a long time if I don't at least try it out, I'm half Korean and I want to get to know part of my heritage. ugh, life.

[Natalia]

[The Hammer]

It's not like you're going to Iraq. "I'm scared." Gimme a break!





***WARNING: IMAGE TOO SCARY FOR NON-TRIGGER PULLERS.***
http://www.omgpwned.net/media/owned/scared_baby.png

[daz1979]

I wish I didn't ponder over it for so long and got myself over here sooner!

Seriously, you will have a fantastic experience, maybe learn a new language, experience a very different culture, meet new friends and save a ton of money in the process.

Sure, you might miss a wedding back home or the birth of a child. In my case I have missed one of my friends having a baby, but, so what, the baby will still be there when I go home I have realised that people back home don't really do a great deal during the course of a year, so, really i'm not really missing much at home.

I came here with a 1 year plan. I wanted to experience something new and refreshing. Now, I think my one year plan is looking more like a three year plan.

People are always dubious and nervous about the unknown; however, on the other hand people are also intrigued and somewhat excited by it. Don't be too dubious, don't read too much into it, just sign a good contract and get on the plane.

[Treefarmer]

i wouldn't bother unless you are desperate for money, it's a pony 3rd rate country with pretensions of being 2nd rate

if you have any money i would recomend going to europe, japan or south america

it isn't that scary, just fucking lame

[kingplaya4]

I'd go with the above's advice. If you're scared why come at all? It's unlikely to help your career at all, and its hardly the financial milk and honey portrayed on here. Yes, even taking the old 2.0 contract its still possible to save 1 million a month, but then you're living monklike. A lot of people here don't save much at all, because they blow cash to relieve thier boredom.

While some Korean's can be incredibly kind, the vast majority are at best ambivalent about your presence in their country. Also, if you are coming to a hogwan and possibly a public school, be ready to be viewed as the white monkey who may be encouraged to sing and dance in class to keep customers.

If you're coming for the women don't bother, there's very little Charisma man boost here, and if you don't need it, then I'm sure there's plenty of beauties wherever you're from and probably with less headache.

You can definitely dig up attractions that are interesting to see in Korea, but there's a reason its not on most people tourist destinations. The air quality is generally terrible, not much nature left, and most buildings were destroyed in the war, being rebuilt with a bunch of concrete officetels.

Going back to the money issue, one thing people fail to consider is you sacrifice quality of life for a good deal of your savings. I don't have car payments or rent here, but I don't have the convenience of a car, and my "appartment" here doesn't even begin to compare to what I was paying $450 a month for back home.

None of our business, but if your situation is that you're just out of college and living with the parents, then it might not be a bad idea to come over just for the sake of a little cash and a little more life experience. Or if you're out of college for several years and just beating minimum wage ok, otherwise, I don't see the point.

I read thse posts sometimes from people who claim to make 75k a year in the corporate world and just can't take their horrible lives anymore and want to to teach EFL in Korea. I don't get it. Why on earth would you want to leave a higher paying job where you have some respect in society, and replace it with a lower paying job where students will consider that at most you are of a marginally higher status than they are. And if you were a Korean, and they did happen to respect you, don't forget that most don't want to be in your class in the first place. They might be asian, but they're still kids, and you're cutting into their play time.

Excuse the rant if you've got some wonderful university gig lined up, otherwise, I think it stands.

[PGF]

Yes, even taking the old 2.0 contract its still possible to save 1 million a month, but then you're living monklike.

Just disagreeing, but I do not live monklike and I save a good deal of cash.

While some Korean's can be incredibly kind, the vast majority are at best ambivalent about your presence in their country.

Most people in your home country are ambivalent about your presence. Am I wrong? Do you walk down the streets of London, NYC, or Vancouver saying hello to everyone you see? Most westerners in Korea are going to be ambialent about your presence unless you work with them or until you meet them and get to know them. Same with the locals. This isn't university.

be ready to be viewed as the white monkey who may be encouraged to sing and dance in class to keep customers.

Come on now, you were last spotted back in your home town drumming up business for the pizza shop in a clown suit on the corner of Main and Elm. Just joking. If you let it happen back home; you'll let it happen here. If you carry yourself professionally here, you won't be treated like poo.


I don't have car payments or rent here, but I don't have the convenience of a car, and my "appartment" here doesn't even begin to compare to what I was paying $450 a month for back home.

If you had a nice apartment for 450/mo back home, I'd say your neck of the woods was not too exciting. I can't think of one city in the US that I'd live in where I could have a great apartment for 450. Rent starts at $800/mo back in my home town for a small two bedroom. My hometown is 100 miles from the capital city.

Nothing is stopping you from buying a car here, either. Or from renting a better apartment, after your first year, if you want to stay.


I read thse posts sometimes from people who claim to make 75k a year in the corporate world and just can't take their horrible lives anymore and want to to teach EFL in Korea. I don't get it.

BURN OUT and 75K a year is not that great or unattainable back home.

OP, if you want a unique experience; haven't been away from your country before, etc., go for it. There's nothing worse than being miserable back home wishing you took the leap/ pulled the trigger.

Korea has been great for me. There've been conflicts with the boss, but nothing more than I've had back home. If you are personable and make friends back home, you'll make friends here/ korean and foreign.

Kids are the same everywhere. The difference here is that msot won't speak great English-e. It's a challenge, but nothing too hard to overcome if you are smart and creative.