Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JMO]

I came because I didn't know what tp do with myself and still don;t. One of my best buddies is in Seoul but other than that I don't have many Irish friends here. I don't really miss Ireland that much, and doubt I will ever live there for a long time.

Of course I am Irish African. My ancestors came from Africa and i'm very proud of it. I waste no time telling africans exactly what I think of all of them(I like to generalise) because I have that african heritage you see.

[tfunk]

It's 50 Euros one-way to go to Barcelona, Prague and a load of other European destinations. Hong Kong is about 400 Euro one way. The whole I-traveled-to-Korea-to-experience-a-different-culture reason seems pretty weak considering the cultural diversity on our doorstep (Sligo has awesome surfing btw).

England and the major capitals of Europe are a few Euros away and anybody with half a brain/ambition can save at least as much money as you can in Korea (accepted, you'll have to live at home in Dublin/Cork/Galway).

Except for Eamo, I can see why everybody else could be miserable as
SOOHWA101 suggested; here for the money and not knowing what to do with their life. I don't think Korea answers the latter dilemma; circumstances might dictate it however...

[Bryan]

[tfunk]

[JMO]

I could make alot of money if I (A) developed the couple of sites my Dad gave me or (B) grafted. Most of my friends who left school when they were 16 are making great money. I didn't come to korea to save money. i just wanted to leave Ireland and Korea was pretty far away. It was supposed to be a stepping stone to Japan..but its easy to get tied down. It was always my dream in high school to go to Japan.

[beepbeep]

I don't think you can just dismiss that a lot of people are over here to experience a different culture. Yes ireland is on the doorstep of many great places in europe, but alot of us have either been there done that or want to experience non western culture. True, hong kong would have been an option, as would many other places in Asia but here I am in Korea, I spoke to so many others from Ireland who said they had an amazing time and really loved it here that I decided why not give it a go.

I've been here two months now and the shine is definitley wearing off, but i'm still glad I came, I'm happier than I had been at home in a long time and I now have the confidence to try exploring the rest of the world.

As for the generalisation that most Irish are unhappy/ miserable here and only staying for the cash, then yes maybe those people are having a hard time and should go home, get a desk job and save what little they can in an increasingly expensive country, but the same goes for any nationality.

[it's full of stars]

I came here as I've been traveling for a few years (14, teaching for 3), so it was another country to knock off the list. I come from the North and don't intend to move back for the forseeable future. To be honest I've completely lost touch with everyone from childhood, school and uni, except for my immediate family and that suits me fine.

Korea's ok, the foods not bad, winter is mild, money and bennies are reasonable compared to other Asian countries. Hard to say how long I'll stay cause I'm constantly confronted with the usual daily idiots and attitudes but it could be much worse. On the other hand, the few people that actually are nice at the school and random acts of friendliness/ kindness in stores etc make it easier to get through the day.

Plan is to continue teaching, get an MA and move onto warmer climes with a better quality of life.

To answer the OPs question, wanderlust got a hold of me when I was in my early teens and I took off at 18. Just can't shake that wanderlust.

[bacasper]

That's easy - the soju!