Korean Job Discussion Forums

[manlyboy]

1) Demography. The Korean population is in rapid decline - something like 1.12 births per woman. That means the population is almost halving every generation. Demographers benchmark 1.3 as the beginning of the death spiral. No group in human history has ever bounced back from a birth rate below 1.3. They have always either been conquered or assimilated by a stronger culture. I think Korea's next generation will be forced to do things tougher than the current pampered crop have to. Economic growth and rapid population decline are categorically incompatible. I don't see how they can possibly sustain their current standard of living. There will certainly never be a European style immigration program to boost numbers, and Dr. Hwang is still a ways off perfecting human cloning.

2) Nationalism. Having worked in a public school for three years, I've seen first hand how the next generation is being taught notions of racial superiority and anti-foreign sentiment. Sure, it's not the third reich, but it doesn't exactly bode well for the future. I thought the leftist nationalism of the Roh administration was bad, but that may be nothing on what tommorow's leaders may produce. When faced with a shrinking economy, and lowered standard of living, the immigrant community is likely to become a prime target for scapegoating.

3) Groupishness. When you consider Koreans are only two generations removed from slavery it's actually quite impressive how far they've come in terms of personal liberty. And I do see a better future in that regard. But there's still a great deal of groupishness when it comes to letting people be who they are. I don't want my daughter being forced to toe the cultural line if she's naturally drawn in other directions. In Korea, it's not so easy to become who you are, as opposed to who the group expects you to be.

[bassexpander]

Tougher than before? Well, my students find the job hunt difficult. Imagine the availability of jobs in 20 years... should be a lot better!

I plan to leave here after we pop out a few kids and save more money. Then we can buy a big new house in the USA, along with lots of furniture, and the kids can get an education there.

[RACETRAITOR]

[Tud Ferguson]

Go back to the States, there won't be a place to go back to after America crumbles like the Soviet Union did after Afghanistan. The slipping dollar is just the first string comming undone, soon the whole sweater will unravel. You think Bush is spending the U.S. into oblivion now wait till he tacs on a war with Iran.

[sojourner1]

The fact that English is not incorporated well into the business world presents a big problem which is why many Koreans travel abroad to learn English. My 32 year old Korean friend is moving to England for 2 years to master his English so he can get that great paying job back in Korea after he takes his 2 gap years traveling and studying abroad.

There has to be English in everyday casual situations such as when shopping, walking around in public places, and when talking to people. I see the name of a store in English here and there, but there really is no English and very little international culture and things available.

Korea is very westernized, but it imitates everything western by making it itself and then next to nothing is in English so this presents a learning and experience problem.

If Korea wants to learn English and you want your kid to learn English, you have to live in an English speaking country to allow them adequate public exposure and interactions. The intent of the English villages was to incorporate English into everyday type of situations, but you need it in the real business world if you want your kid to know how to speak English. You can get your kid and Koreans here to speak English, but they don't really learn and understand it well since it's not used at all outside of schools.

[Newbie]

I agree with everything you said, and I have some of my own

1. Better cultural opportunities.

2. No hogwans (praying that one sticks). Life is all around less stressful.

3. Aside from taekwon-do, the language, traditional music, family values, and the ability to do with America's help what they were able to do, there's just nothing I respect about Korea.

[Hanson]

Good topic and one that I've gone back and forth on.

Pros to moving back home: More exposure to different cultures (at least where I'm from - Montreal), easier and more comfortable lifestyle, better opportunities to develop individual personality, language acquisition opportunities (English & French), education & critical thinking, more diverse recreational activities, better & cleaner environment, more acceptance from others about being of mixed racial background, safer roads.

Pros to staying in Korea: Korean language acquisition is easier, better connection to Korean heritage and culture, less taxes for mommy and daddy meaning more financial opportunities for the child, easy and cheap to travel abroad (in Asia), relatively safe schools (no Columbine or Dawson College gunmen), better family values (IMO), less crime overall, more vacation time for daddy - meaning more time off to spend with the little one, healthier food, and of course, four seasons (that was a joke).

Before having my daughter, I thought I would bolt back home as soon as possible after having a child. Now that I do have a child, I feel differently. As long as we move back home by the time my daughter is 9 or 10 years old, I'll be satisfied knowing I gave my child the chance to grow up in both cultures.

[Ilsanman]

Sorry. I got lost of the family values part.

[Ilsanman]

I will list my 3.

1. Education: Hands down, Canada has a better education system, at all levels. Where I am from, violence exists, but not to any super serious high level. In fact, there's less bullying in high schools than there is here.

2. Opportunities for me and my wife: My wife is a hair dresser. They get paid something like $3 an hour in Korea. Hairdressers in Canada are not exceptionally well paid, but a heck of a lot more than $3 an hour. I am making good money here, but I simply don't want to teach ESL for the rest of my life.

3. General living: I want to be able to go for a drive, a bike ride, or go to the park, and not have to fear for my life. I gave up a lot of things I love doing to move here. I want them back.

[Hanson]

[Ilsanman]

Yeah, and what do they do when they visit? The relatives all interfere in each other's lives, the elders all make all unmarried women feel unworthy of a man, they fight and shout at each other, etc. More than a few of my Korean friends say they dread the holidays. Because of family.

Sure, family values are great on paper. Very ideal. But look at reality in comparison. I'll take a pass.

[Homer]

[Hanson]

[Homer]

Wow I-man,

I am sorry this is how your family interactions go....

It is not like that at all for us. Family support and interaction for us is a huge plus and a lot of fun.

Like Hanson said, if this is how you view family interaction here and how it happens....you would indeed not rate family values that high here!

[Newbie]