Korean Job Discussion Forums

[joshuahirtle27]

There are lots of reasons to pack up and go home. I have a family back in Canada that misses me and a new baby that is now a week past it's due date that should be in the wide world any time. Sometimes I'm treated like a really smart monkey who's trained in the linguistics of English at work, and there are times when I would love to take my hockey stick to school and give various people a good old fashioned crosscheck. I'm expected to donate free time (on occasion) for work and there are 3 days a week where I have only one 15 minute break to separate 7 classes. I only get 2.1m won a month and I send most of it home each month to take care of things back in Canada that need taking care of.

I don't know much Korean, I have few friends here, the weather is getting colder, the exchange rate sucks, I miss my family, I can't drive, my computer is acting weird and I have no drivers for it nor do I have the install disc for XP to re-format my new Lappy and on top of that I have a cold.

So why am I still here?

For my kids. I am a teacher at heart and I want to see my kids make it to their next level. I'm the only member of my school's team of foreign teachers who has had the class begin when I began working there. They know me and I know them. I know what each kid is able to do and I know how far they have all come. In March, when I'm supposed to go home they will graduate from Kindy to Elementary school. I can be proud to know that I was there to see them on their way. There are days when life in Korea sucks. Lately they have been getting more and more since I only have 3.25 months left and especially now that open classes are looming over Dokdo and coming fast... but the greeting I get when I walk into the class and the way they look up to me makes Korea bearable for 40-70 more minutes. I can forget for a few minutes about the things that suck and from start bell to end bell I can be myself.

I don't leave because it's so close to their graduation. I know what it's like to have people I love miss important dates in my life. I know that while it may not show they would notice if I wasn't there because they know me and I know them. We have little jokes between us. It would also take them forever to adjust to a new teacher and they only have a few months to go before they become real students.

While I have a child of my own I feel like I'm doing something to enrich the life of the other 40 kids I have no biological bond to that gives them some sens that they matter. It's nice to have that feeling. I may be kidding myself... but it keeps me that little bit sane I need to be in order to keep my bags unpacked and my pocket full of won rather than a plane ticket.

www.caffeinated-goodness.co.nr

[ChopChaeJoe]

You won't last much longer. Your kids won't miss you and what if they did? I know what you mean though. During class time, the ball is in your court.

[joshuahirtle27]

[jellobean]

[joshuahirtle27]

[rationality]

[joshuahirtle27]

[sojourner1]

Follow your heart and gut instincts.

Wow, if teaching means that much to you and you take it that seriously, you really might consider teaching at or near home. I don't feel that deeply concerned about teaching ESL, because this is in Asia, in a country far from home that means little in the advancement of my own country and my career other than pay for doing it. I suppose if these were American students, I'd take it quite serious and strive to achieve more as I would expect more student performance in order to gain satisfaction out of knowing I did something for my country and those kids which added lasting value. Of course, going so strongly might rock the boat so the game would be to try not to attack attention which means little job satisfaction. I do my job in Korea, but know it's nothing like home and I'm not expected to treat them like American kids nor expect them to be that.

If I had very important matters at home and I could afford the money to handle it, then I'd get on a flight and go. You can negotiate time off without giving up as I did last year for my mother. You know when it's time to go vs. just wanting to go. I know you're committed to your contract and I am too where I wouldn't break contract if I won a large sum of money today.

[loose_ends]

You sound like a good teacher. There is no reason why you should be making 2.1 mill a month. Move to Seoul and make no less that 4 mill if your heart is in the won.

[soviet_man]

Absolutely hang in there.

3 months is nothing and yes it would be lame to pull out of kinder graduation, if you have made a real personal effort with these kids.

I think it is important for you and them to have that feeling of achievement and closure. Bring a camera, it will be a great day.

[Mr. Pink]

After reading the OP, I wonder if it is just a Canadian thing. Now that I am in Canada, I get "Why the hell did you go to Korea?" or "Why did you stay there for so long...". Most people won't even leave a 50km radius of where they grew up.

I guess you are one of those Canadians Mr. OP. Though I do give you props for giving it a go...most don't even have the balls to get on the plane and go over.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Don't kid yourself. You're here to collect your bonus and pension and if you could get that today and go home for your newborn's birth I'm sure you would. If you're getting along great with your kids that's wonderful, but remember that it's someone else reaping most of the rewards of that.

[sharkey]

i am going to korea and december, and i dont want to go becuase I miss the winter weather !!!! skating on tennis courts, frozen ponds, snow as tall as a grow man, shoveling the snow, -40 degress! and the list keeps going

i know it all sounds brutal, but, the winter where us canadians get some of our identity ! = )))))0

[joshuahirtle27]

[PRagic]

Good teachers often go unappreciated. Sounds like the OP is fishing for appreciation (why else post a self analysis?), so here it is: (pat on back) gooood teacher....caring teacher....a teacher's teacher.....goooood teacher.