Korean Job Discussion Forums

[IncognitoHFX]

Things have been changing a lot recently. With the new Visas, the shameful Canadian, and the growing mistrust towards foreigners in this country, I'm beginning to wonder whether or not it is possible to stay long term.

Before I came here I knew I had to stay at least two years, whether I wanted to or not, because I have huge student loans back home. After having been here for six months and learning quite a bit (far from everything), my overall opinion of Korea is still positive and the prospects of working at a much better job with much better living conditions my second year do a lot to inflate this opinion.

I know that I do want to stay long term. I like Korea, I'm learning the language (I'm taking classes and doing a lot of study), and I'm building quite a large social network here.

The thing that has been dogging me lately is the idea of going home for four months inbetween contracts (the new visa stuff might take that long), and the idea of there possibly being some kind of great exodus/expulsion of all the foreign teachers in Korea. I really wish I had more stable thoughts about this, as I honestly do want to stay indefinitely.

So, do you think that a law-abiding, legitimate, teacher such as myself who is already in country will have any major problems staying here long term (5-10 years)? Or do you think there will be some kind of system change and we'll all be purged within that time frame?

Thanks.

[RACETRAITOR]

Still never heard a single Korean bring up Chris Neil to me. I've been here over three years and it's not that bad, aside from the fact there's too much happening on the weekends and too many people inviting me out.

[ajgeddes]

You've only been here 6 months, so I don't really think you know what you are talking about. The mistrust towards foreigners is cyclical and to be honest, nothing is really changing. It isn't going to take 4 months between contracts. People live here and there is no way in hell people would go home for 4 months every year. Just relax and realise that nothing is really going to change, and the couple of additions to the application process may actually help out in the long run.

[IncognitoHFX]

[ajgeddes]

[IncognitoHFX]

[PeterDragon]

[Hollywoodaction]

Been here over 10 years. Don't know if you can stay 3 years, but I certainly could. Stop paying attention to all the nonsense (Korean media, Dave's ESL posters). In reality, most Koreans like foreigners or at least tolerate their presence.

[Jizzo T. Clown]

[Atavistic]

With all due respect dude, based on your monthly threads about the subject, why don't you worry about becoming a better teacher and/or getting a better job before you worry about spending 4 months at home?

[Milwaukiedave]

I agree, most of it is overblown and runs on a cycle. There are times I let it get to me, but you have to kind of let it run off your back.

If they do change the system, they are going to have to do so to make sure it is not very complex to do whatever they are going to require so that teachers can remain in Korea. At this point I haven't heard what the new regulations are going to be and to speculate just throws everyone else into a panic.

[just because]

I have lived here for 6 years and still haven't felt this oppressive xenophobia I repeatedly seen talked about on daves...if anything I can name 5 good experiences for every 1 bad experience.

I think it is a matter of having an open-mind, making an effort to learn the language and understand what is being said around you plus not buying into the bullshit I read from people on here who a good majority would seem to be social outcasts no matter where they were living. Instead of looking in at themselves they lash out here on daves....

I am not saying incidents don't happen, I know they do but most of the incidents are not blameless and as one-sided as they are portrayed on here. Also, just because a Korean thinks or does something doesn't mean the whole lot do. The vast majority of Koreans don;t want to cause any trouble and just want to live life like we do....

The only time I was a little concerned was 2002 when i saw an anti-foreigner march coming down the street toward me. Then i went and talked to a few of them and saw they didn't really hate foreigners, just needed an outlet to vent about various issues...


If one thing I have realized in my time here(and in other countries around the world) people are people. You have really nice people and really idiotic people everywhere in every country. It is true we can be an idiot magnet at times but in other respects the kindness we are displayed balances this out.

Culturally Koreans can leave me wondering at times but individually they are as good or bad as anybody else....

There won't be any purge, there will still be silly anti-foreigner shows in the future and over-reactions by the authorities as this is what sells the papers......however believe it or not the sky isn't falling. once it is realized how impractical it is there will be a bit of a wind-back.....

[Masta_Don]

[Homer]

This is (as mentionned) cyclical.

Also, as just because said, in daily life I experienced none of the behaviour described on here. It will vary from person to person and also depend on where you hang out and what you do.

Get hammered every weekend and come out of the bar late at night and guess what...you increase the chances of something happening because Koreans also party and get drunk...just a bad combination.

Now, I have been here 10 years + and really, I can count on one hand the bad experiences I have had with Koreans.

Can you stay longer than 2 years? Of course you can.

[yingwenlaoshi]