Korean Job Discussion Forums

[abedefduf]

ive been exposed to so much DOOMZ on this board lately that im on the verge of completely abandoning any notion of going there.
lets have a change of pace for once-lets hear what, if anything, was better than you were expecting about your experience in korea?
in addition, name some GOOD things that you LIKE about the place/being there. maybe it will budge my morale a bit. thanks

[Mr. BlackCat]

I see people on here complaining that Korea is boring. I guess if you're not exposed to a good network your first year living there this can be true. In my experience, though, it's been the complete opposite. I do all sorts of crazy things over there (on a break now) that I never do back home. I go out to dinner with friends at least twice a week, usually more. I can't afford that in Canada. We rent nice hotel rooms and party it up, go rafting or camping or ATVing, travel, go for walks/hikes and all sorts of things on a regular basis.

I was earning about the same before I left Canada with more time off, but I couldn't afford to do all this sort of stuff. A big night out for me and my friends was going to a pool hall on Saturday night and that would break me (easily $100 with cabs, food, drinks and pool...and TIPS for everyone!). Given, I was living in a much smaller city than Seoul so my options weren't as broad.

I don't know how people do it in rural settings, although they'd probably say their surroundings all the entertainment they need. I was lucky to have great foreigners and Koreans around me immediately when I arrived and going into my third year I still have this network.

Also, the public transport is simply amazing. Seoul's buses and especially subways have to be the best in the world considering the price. Simply amazing.

[bellum99]

[KoreanAmbition]

Mr. Blackcat,

That sounds like a very sincere post you gave. I think it's great to hear from the people that actually have been lucky to have good experiences in Korea. (Good topic OP)


Mr. Blackcat, where are you from? I'm from Niagara Falls, Ontario, but have a second place in St. Catharines near the university I attend. I agree with the idea that Korea will provide me with opportunities to live a bit more interesting life than I have here in Canada. I know exactly what you mean about going out for a basic night with friends and the bill still is still a lot.

True story:
The Valentine's day that just passed a couple weeks ago my gf wanted to try a Korean restaurant downtown in St. Catharines that we had heard was better than the one across the street from us.

With tip, the meal cost us $54. I had one pop and she had 1 juice since there were no refills. We started with a large soup to share, then a dish with some meat, a side-dish of some pancake type vegetable thing, and finally bulgogi. hehe

We were stuffed, and the meal was very nice. But $54 dollars and that was not even with drinks. To be honest I think this is too expensive for that type of food, but seems "international" foods are becoming more expensive over here.

Funny part to the story:

The Korean restaurant across the street sells their "Teriyaki Beef Combo" for $9 and that is rice with the beef, some noodles on the side, a tiny bit of salad, and then free coffee or tea with dinner. Turns out their Teriyaki Beef Combo is what Koreans would call Bulgogi basically. HAHA I think they just don't say bulgogi because it sounds weird and no one will know what it is. Turns out that we were eating bulgogi all along and didn't know it.

Anyways, I look forward to the prices of food in Korea and some of the cheaper forms of entertainment that might be offered. Also, Seoul is so large it will be just be interesting to be in that type of environment.

[sargx]

Better: I like the kids a lot more then I expected to. I also found that I like the teachers and administration. Internet connection is fast.

Worse: The social life, I had a change of location (my initial school canceled my invitation 1 hour after arriving to Korea) so I ended up going rural.

The food... I'm a carnivore, I don't eat any vegetables. Lots of Korean food = vegetables.

Overall, it's not bad, I'm pretty laid back anyway so I don't mind not going to the bar and making notches on my bedpost.

[wire]

Hi OP,

Things I like:

fast internet
that right outside your apartment is good street food
makeshift gyms in the mountains
not being able to understand what people are saying
the free time and what you can do with it

[PRagic]

I moved over here in 93, but had spent some time here before when I was in the service. I was never in Seoul before I moved over.

Taking the advice of a Korean friend, I took my first job at an institute in Jongro. He was insistant that I NOT take a job anywhere else, and I still appreciate his input to this day. Why? What was better than I expected?

I'm from a small town outside of a small city. I'd never really lived and worked in a big city before, so when I got here, it was great. On the cab ride in to work every morning, I'd pass huge, traditional structures, and see historically important sites (I had studies a bit of Korean history).

It's a lot about attitude. Some people, even if they're only going to be here a year or two, just HAVE to have their nature, or just HAVE to have some creature comfort. Whatever. Life is the adventure you make it. Bored? Get out and about. My first few years here, there wasn't a long weekend or holiday when my buddies and I (most back in Canada now, but we all keep in touch) weren't on a train or bus to somewhere. At the very least, we were up a mountain, on a baskeball court, or on a soccer pitch with some students. Some people bitch and moan, other get out and do something.

Come with a good attitude, and avoid the whiners. You'll have a much better go of it.

[Mi Yum mi]

things to look forward to.

Great tech.
Better internet
Cheap cost of living (Even in Seoul it's cheaper than where I'm from)
Drinking on the streets/corner store/outdoor BBQ
different attitude (kind of like "fuk it I'll do it later kinda thing")

[nomad-ish]

-good & cheap food (at one place i like, the bill totals about 10,000W a person for great galbi and all you can eat sidedishes)
-cheap transportation (subway, buses, taxis)
-not being involved in office politics
-cool apartment, complete with doorbell video screen
-shopping at markets
-being able to afford to buy things and do things that back home i'd have to mentally add up and budget before i bought/did

edit: bellum, where did you go horse riding??

[PRagic]

And A+ travel potential. Even if you're only going to be here for a year, you'll get to get around the country, and possibly over to Japan and China/HongKong for short jaunts during your stay. Most people take a big trip at the end of their contract on their way home (Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines...). These are 'trip of a life time' opportunities that many of your friends will never be able to do.

[The Hammer]

Public transport is convenient and inexpensive.

[crusher_of_heads]

Don't forget the kimchi.

[normalcyispasse]

My first job was fantastic. My boss was much better than I'd hoped and my apartment was great.

My second job, well, maybe not so much.

[DongtanTony]

Can't travel without a car??? BS!!!! Between the express inter city bus system...the fabulous and inexpensive train system...city buses...cheap taxis...or hey...you just go out and buy a motorcycle...getting around this place is pretty easy for most of us. Cars...get your IDP...or apply for a local license here...save up for two or three months...and buy a used car if you really need to. Some of my old Gumi friends bought cars for as little as 600,000----right up to approx 2,000,000. Getting around was actually WAY BETTER than I thought.

Mountains...temples...even in my little "rural" town of Gumi last year (500,000 population) we had a paint-ball company...a local pub (here's a little plug for you Derrick and Suki and The Waegook Cook) organized outing events to ski resorts...white water...the Mud Fest...and others.

If you're into martial arts...this is the place to study! Finding instructors might be problematic...but if you look hard enough...do some networking...again, even in the "ruralness" of Gumi we had free classes to foreigners three nights a week.

Did anyone here even mention sports? If you're going to be in or around Seoul...the SSFL is a pretty serious soccer league...there is also a Saturday league organized in Itaewon for more relaxed, less competitive games. Foreigners find themselves on club style baseball teams...touch rugby...you name it...there's probably a team or league here for it. And if you're a golfer...as am I...getting out to the courses here are crazy expensive...but if you want to keep up your swing...there are driving ranges everywhere!!! Cheap too!!! There are also "screen golf" businesses in quite a few areas of Seoul and Gyonggi province...plus...I'm sure they exist elsewhere...but there are about three around the Now Bar in Yongtong-dong Suwon.

Tech is fantastic here. I pay 50,000 per month for a DVR cable system (Hana TV), my internet, and my 60 channel basic cable package. Add 15,000 (roughly) for my cell phone...and my tech expenses are 65,000 per month!! I don't know of anybody back home beating that...not even close with DVR hi-def cable.

Sure...a lot of things are different...you have to adjust...but remember, there are so many jaded posters that lurk on this forum...the good news and positive aspects of living here rarely make headlines...people thrive on misery...and while I do acknowledge that many people have less than fantastic experiences here, I also believe that many people don't research enough...don't ask the right questions of their schools and recruiters before they come here...and they feel "entitled" to certain treatment and protections that we enjoy in our home countries. This is not your backyard...UNDERSTAND THAT...cultural differences...miscommunications...frustrations...WILL HAPPEN! But...ask yourself...how do you deal with those situations?? Do they fester inside you...or do you let a lot of things slide?? I'm sure you'll be fine!!

Plus...I totally forgot...culture doesn't have to mean only Korean culture...international art exhibits come to Seoul regularly...a Van Gogh exhibition is going on, or just completed...I missed that one. Music acts such as....Bjork just played the other day...other big name acts like Beyonce, Metallica, Celine Dion (not my style...but maybe yours??)...and the latest news...one I think I'm checking out...Duran Duran BABY!!! How can you not be stoked about Duran Duran!!! The Berlin Philharmonic is playing soon.......and you can check out the Korean shows...Nanta...B-Boy shows...the list goes on and on.

Those that say Korea is boring...take it with a grain of salt. They're probably lethargic sedentary couch potato types to begin with. And...that bulgogi meal someone spoke of...if you spend over 30,000 won for a dinner for two, with drinks...you're at the wrong restaurant. Food is stinking cheap here!! Learn some basic meals at your local kimbap chongu...and you can eat a good meal for less than 5,000!! If you're dying for foreign fare...Outback Steakhouses, Bennigans, TGI Fridays...are popping up like zits on a teenager here...for fast food types...KFC and McDonalds are pretty common...I even have a Popeye's...I live in a "new" city.

The point is...adapt...try new things...research...network...meet people of western and Korean persuasions...plan ahead...and don't be afraid to ask your director or Korean staff for a little help and info...it might not always be entirely accurate...but usually your Korean friends can get you "in the neighborhood" of your desired destination. Bon Chance!!!

[OneWayTraffic]

The money. I thought my starting wage was good. Never dreamed I'd double it in a couple of years and then again later on.

Transportation, the Internet, standard of living and my general happiness here all better than I thought.

Also my ability in a classroom worked out better as well.