Korean Job Discussion Forums

nourozi · Joined: 15 Mar 2009

Hey, Ill be coming to Korea in April. Im 22 turning 23 this year, from New Zealand. I want to stay in Korea for atleast a year (keeping in mind all the Hagwon Horror stories).

How old were you when you started teaching in Korea?

What country are you from?

How many years have you taught in korea?

How many more years do you plan on teaching?

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

59

45

13+

???

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

43

27 (Did 4 years in the Army and transfered schools, so university took me the extra semester). Turned 22 in Korea, though, and 23...

USA

16+ years, off and on for a couple because of school.

Probably until I retire (early is an option). University work, once you settle into it, can be pretty cool. The first few years are tough, IMHO.

T-J · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

41

25

U.S.

7

Plan on being in Korea for nine more years. Teaching?

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

asams · Joined: 17 Nov 2008

22

22

Chapel Hill (by way of Lincolnton), North Carolina, US of A - I have to include Chapel Hill because it is, in fact, the best place on God's green earth

3 months

Korea is growing on me, I may stay, I may not, but I'm starting to settle finally and learning to coexist in this country - my plans change with my underwear so I won't divulge my numerous life plans

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Good luck Kiwi. I'm sure you'll do fine. (Don't forget to read the NZ embassy website).
Spot ya.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Draz...LOL...I meant the first few years of teaching university are tough. I thought the first few years of life in Korea were a blast.

Arthur Dent · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Location: Kochu whirld

nourozi,

You are off to a good start with this post as you will soon discover the Korean "affinity" for numbers.

Even with door codes my Korean friends ask, "2246, what does it mean?"
Me: "Nothing, it's just a number."
Korean friend: "?????"

At your age you should have a great time coming here, as long as you don't have too many expectations, have a lot of patience, and a willingness to learn quickly how to deal well with Koreans and their ways. An open mind and a smile will do wonders here for you as long as you are willing to try new things.

Try to meet some (reasonable) people who have been here for at least several years and listen to what they have to say. Some of it may sound incredibly hard to believe - listen to those parts in particular and then form your own opinions, slowly...

Nearly half the teachers here are from the US and nearly the other half are from Canada. Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland make up the rest with a few teachers from South Africa, in no particular order!
I have a few Kiwi friends myself, two of whom have married Koreans - one of which now has a child.

It is usually easier to adjust when coming to a new place when you are younger so now is a good time - age-wise, not necessarily for your timing in coming here at this point. However, at least there are jobs available which may not be the case in many other English-speaking countries right now.

If you avoid falling in to the trap of obsessing about your job and its conditions, you will have a better time. As you learn about Korea, if you decide to stay longer, you will be able to use what you have learned to secure a better job then what you are likely to get in your first year. In the meantime, learn what you can and get out as much as you can to meet people and learn about Korea. It will help you in your teaching duties to understand the nature of your students and what they have to deal with.

Good Luck!

nourozi · Joined: 15 Mar 2009

Yea its a great time to come at my age although I could have come last year instead of wasting a year trying to find a job when there arent any around. Oh well, its been an experimental year after graduating and this year coming seems to be carrying on that them hehe.

Im thinking it would be great to build experiences in Korea and work my way to University level. Who knows what will happen.

Im very open and I thrive for new experiences. Lets just hope that my Hagwon treats me well.

bogey666 · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

machellebelle · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

22

21

1

I have no idea.

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

How old am I? Well, dirt was invented when I was six years old. I still remember the advertisements carved into the stone tablets that Grog'tkar would throw toward our cave. My dad was pretty technologically advanced, what you would call an "early adopter," so we had a dirt floor before anyone else in our area....

What was the question again. I sometimes forget things because I am...what was the word....forgetful?