Korean Job Discussion Forums

MANDRL · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Location: South Korea

My wife and I have been back home from our first year of teaching in Korea since the end of December. We really enjoyed our time in Korea, and of course, looking back all we remember are the good times. It has been a struggle to get jobs here in San Diego. I am back in school pursuing my teaching credential. My wife, a Liberal Arts major, can't find the energy to go back to school yet. We are currently living at her parents house which is helping us save money, but there is a void that we can't get over. We would love to go back to Korea, but it seems like we are 'putting off' life with every year we spend abroad (we will be 28 and 26 this year). I can't figure out what to do. I was in 75 degree weather, drinking Sierra Nevada at a beach front bar today, but I still couldn't shake this feeling. What the hell is wrong with us? Why can't we get over this hump?

pidgin · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Location: Seoul

What you're suffering from is very common. Some call it reverse culture shock. But whatever the label, it's real.

I started teaching abroad well over 10 years ago, and though I never thought A: I was delaying life or B: of moving back to the States (permanent status) on long visits, I'd feel a bit like you described.

Some will tell you, "it'll pass." And others, "don't fight it, get back over here,...or elsewhere."

In the end (obviously) only you (two) can choose your lifestyles.

Good luck.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Take my advice....DON'T COME BACK, YOU'LL REGRET IT! Cool

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

My advice: get teaching certification and then get international school jobs. Those let you teach and make decent $$ in MANY MANY more countries than if you just teach ESL.

wire · Joined: 01 Aug 2006

I know what you mean.

It's like, what's the point of getting a job here when I could see the world?

shetan · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Location: In front of my PC.

yes I think you will find it will slowly pass once you start getting settled...

Also you are not that old... life is not passing you bye... as long as you set goals and are constantly working towrads something then its not wasted.

Give your self another few months to settle in and then decide what you want to do....

some reading.

http://international.missouri.edu/studyabroad/after/cominghome.shtml

http://wings.buffalo.edu/studyabroad/rculture.html

if you do a search you will probably find better info Smile

MANDRL · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Location: South Korea

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I think we may be experiencing reverse culture shock. I never thought of that but after reading up on it, I think that is what is going on. Life just seemed so much easier back in Korea, then again, we had a constant double income and no real responsibilities. I guess the next few months should help us get a better grasp of things.

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

anyangoldboy · Joined: 28 Sep 2007

Before you leave Korea have a plan...Also have a back up plan and another plan after that...

So far I'm off to Toronto to do my lifeguarding course in a week...I've done it several times before but in Britain...

Then I have a job lined up at some rich kids summer camp where the pay is great...

Then when I come back to Toronto (the camp is north of Toronto somwhere) I'll be a lifeguard for a year...Maybe not the best job...

but it pays better than starting in an office...Starting in an office might get be around 12/13 bucks an hour and lifeguarding is 14...Also i'm a qualified Swimming coach/teacher so that pays more money and i can get even more hours...In the summer they have a big out-door pool and that is great to have a job there although will see if I can get it...

Then going to the carnival in Trinidad N Tobago next feb...Being a lifeguard allows me the time to do this...

Then going to teachers college in 2009...

Have a plan and try to stick to it...It helps you get over Korea...

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

After 2 1/2 years in Seoul, I've been back in N. America for 4 years, and I feel I'm just now getting back in the swing of things here. I still think about Korea all the time -- not necessarily about moving back, but just in general about the expat life I had there.

Face it: North America can be a bore no matter where you are.

Unless you plan on inheriting a bunch of money soon or you have a large trust fund, I would suggest LEAVING SAN DIEGO (as lovely as it is) as soon as possible! On teacher salaries, you will be hard pressed to locate a shack 50 miles from the beach that you can afford.

After you get your credential, you might investigate other jobs abroad or teaching somewhere stateside that is a bit more affordable. good luck.

check it out from craigslist. wow .... you get a parking place and you don't have to go to the laundromat! ::

$1195 / 1br - 1 bedroom condo!

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Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-02-28, 5:54AM PST

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Atavistic

Wisconsinite · Joined: 05 Jan 2007

I would say that you should give it some more time. I think anytime you make a huge life change you need at least a year to see how everything pans out.....

That being said...I have been back from Korea since 2004 and go back there a couple of times a year and I STILL think about moving back. I remember the good times and to me it was the only time in my life I actually felt like I had a decent balance between work and play. I am a high school teacher in the states and I love my job but I do daydream about going back to Korea and having the life I used to have. I also worry that this fantasy means I am "running away" or "putting off the inevitable." It's hard and I wish you luck......

VanIslander