Korean Job Discussion Forums

Bob V · Joined: 12 Jan 2004

Hello everyone, I am diligently researching moving to Korea to teach English. Any suggestions (good recruiters, schools, websites...) would be very appreciated. Also any tips on what bring or not to bring, where to go (or avoid). I am trying to get in or around Seoul. I was also what the average age of teachers are in Korea, I am 30 and get the feeling that I would be the "old" man of the group. Thanks in advance!

Bob V

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

I'm 32. Maybe a little old but hey I still feel twenty.
Stay away from Bupyong wonderland.
Don't bring too much, but take some respectable clothing. and if you are from New Brunswick can you bring my Hockey gear?

buddy bradley · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: The Beyond

I say bring the "I'm not going to take any crap from old women who refuse to serve me in their restaurant" attitude.

And bring some aspirin too.

Zenpickle · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Location: Anyang -- Bisan

I'll be turning 30 during my first month there. I guess we'll have to get together and start an Old Farts Support Group. The funny thing is that in Korea, I think I'll be 31 in their years, if I'm not mistaken.

Yeah, gotta remember to pack my Metamucil and Geratol.

W.T.Carl · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Make sure that you bring a sense of Humor, a taste for Adventure and a tolerance for BULLSH##. You will need all of these in large amounts. Also, don't forget enough cash to get home if things go south.

PS: I was 39 when I did my time in Korea.

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

it doesn't matter how old you are, but how old the woman is you feel

Neil · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: Tokyo

A bloke on my CELTA course was 38 and he was the first of us to blag a job (albeit in Taiwan rather than Korea) and apparently he's having a whale of a time.

Juggertha · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Anyang, Korea

advice-read the FAQ on these boards.. they'll help.

Crois · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 4:40 pm Post subject:

If you need comdoms you can go on the internet and get them sent to you.

Other than that bring clothes for 4 seasons if you are not living in Seoul.

Deodrant.

An attitude that will let shit fly straight over your head. By this i mean put up with alot of stuff. Also just go with the flow. Accept that the way Koreans do stuff. It works for them and it is imbedded in their culture from about 500 years ago.

A good liver. First month here i was drinking virtually everyday. Wasnt much else to do.

Towels are always good to have lots of.

Pictures of home. They are always good to let other people look at.

But its different where you live. Smaller places there is more of a chance another foreigner is going to say hi to you. Seoul people wouldnt bat an eye lid. Seoul is like another city in the world. But fun to visit. Had many good times there.

Dont bring too many electrical goods unless you work on 220v and have two pin stuff.

Last point. Dont assume anything before or when you get here. It will wreck your dreams of thinking that this job is always easy or enjoyable.

Hope this helps

waggo · Joined: 18 May 2003 Location: pusan baby!

Socks are very expensive here so bring some socks .
There is a tradition in Korea of loyalty where you present one of a pair of socks to your boss on your first day...wrapped up....and then the second sock after you have been there two weeks.

I dont understand it either! But it goes a long way to getting off to a good start with your boss.

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

Don't bring any expectations. Good recruiter: Footprints Recruiting. Age I am 45 and have no trouble getting work, attitude is what counts. Be prepared for a scary 1st month while you adjust to an alien lifestyle. In the classroom, consistency is the key, good bad or indifferent, be consistent. If you if that you don't like it or your school, leave. Don't hang about for the crap to compound until you hate Korea and everything Korean. Smile

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

OP,
Can I suggest that you
check out the FAQs and post replies there. Your more likely to get a response on specific questions than vague stuff about living in korea.

clg

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

waggo · Joined: 18 May 2003 Location: pusan baby!

You dont need deodrant or soap...Koreans only take a shower once every two weeks and they consider natural body odour just that ...
natural.

RedRob · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Narnia

Just bring a coupla massive beach towels, the ones here are like teatowels. Everything else you can get here no worries, some things might take a while to find, but you can get 'em.

Having said that, last time I went home, I froze 6kg of good NZ cheese, wrapped it in newspaper and rationed it out to myself over a few months. Good cheese is sooo expensive here.