Korean Job Discussion Forums

thinkblue · Joined: 15 Apr 2009

Hi. I'm Asian American and I'm curious on how I'll be treated in South Korea if I go there and teach. When I said treated, I'm talking about how people like the co-workers, teachers, people, students and others would think of me since I am a foreigner but with an Asian face. I heard a lot on how other foreigners(non-asian) on how they are deemed exotic or get weird looks and respect from locals and co-workers. Is it the same for Asian foreigners? Any Asian foreigners or anyone out there that can share thoughts on this? Thanks!

emilylovesyou · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: here

Are you of Korean descent? If so, and can't speak Korean, you will get a lot of flack from older people ("Why didn't your parents teach you Korean?" "Why can't you speak Korean?"), but not too many younger people. My boyfriend is an adopted Korean and so used to get a lot of crap about his language when he first came (he learned in college but can speak pretty well now). He would usually explain he was adopted, and people would lighten up and be curious. Sometimes he gets strange looks when speaking English to me. A few times kids have asked their parents if he is Korean since he's not speaking Korean.

But overall, if you are speaking English, I don't think people will treat you poorly. Some may look at you strangely, but anyone not speaking Korean will get looks anyway. If you are nice to people, respectful, smile a lot, you'll be treated well. Of course, there are always people who hate any foreigner, and won't treat you very nice even if you were the best teacher out there.

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

If you are worried about how you will be treated at work I'd suggest a public school, most of Asian foreigners I've met seemed happy there. This included Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese and mixed descent.

Outside of school you probably will miss the joy of being starred at in the street or having the mentally retarded trying to befriend you on the subway. You will have to get used to confused looks from shop staff when you don't respond to there questions.

Just try and make a balance of what you wouldn't tolerate back home(being expected to work longer for less pay "because you're not white!") and what you need to do in order to get along.

thinkblue · Joined: 15 Apr 2009

I'm Chinese and I don't speak or know much of the Korean Culture except the info I research on online. Thanks for the replies for my question. I keep your thoughts in mind.

wallythewhale · Joined: 12 Mar 2009

Well, I've heard that some times there may be discrimination if you're Asian. One of my friends (Caucasian) got accepted into a program because he was "white" while another guy got rejected because he was "asian". Now, I'm not saying that this applies to everyone, but I can see why the Asian got rejected. A Caucasian teaching English looks better than an Asian teaching English especially in an Asian country.

Nevertheless, I've also had friends who were Asian that went overseas. I guess it just depends on who you work with and how the environment is like. Good luck!

Goku · Joined: 10 Dec 2008

I've heard being white/black is advantageous for hagwon because it's about looking "international" that draws that kind of crowd.

But PS it really doesn't matter. And I saw a lot of Asian Americans... A lot. So you won't have any problems there.

But however will you live without the stares, strange conversations, and crazy strangers approaching you?

You're missing out I'm telling you Laughing

Grass is always greener they say.

mayorgc · Joined: 19 Oct 2008

You'll be treated fine. I asked the exact same question before I came over.

99% of the population will think you're Korean and leave u alone. You'll get the stares the moment you open your mouth and english falls out though.

for the Whiteys, it's pretty black and white, people are either going to be friendly towards them or discriminate. For asians, you'll just blend in, so you won't get any of the strange looks, and you won't get any perks (whatever they may be).

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

You're lucky you won't get the stares. Or the people shouting stupid things at you as you walk by, and laughing in your face when you are kind enough to attempt to talk to them, even though they are being totally ignorant. Or the horror on their faces when they see you in the elevator. Or the obvious whispering behind your back. All that is if you are lucky, sometimes you will get a belligerent one, or a complete crack pot, in a vulgar display or social retardation, invading your personal space and peace, and you actually fear for your safety for a moment.

It's a little like being black circa 1950, or like a celebrity who sufferes from all of the paparazzi antics. gossip, and stereotyping, but has NONE of the money and glamour to make the spotlight worth all of the invasive hassle.

You might actually have the best of both worlds working in Korea.

Misera · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

Ok this is what my friends and I kid about.. but just so you know ahead of time:

The biggest problem I've encountered is.. "What? You're not Korean? Are you sure?" and the more you deny it the more they don't believe it. They're going to be like "you can't speak any Korean? But.. you look like us."

other is.. first the shop owners won't treat you any differently.. until you open your mouth.... and then they run away and get someone else, insist on still trying to speak to you in Korean even when you said you don't understand (in Korean or in English), or they're going to give you an evil eye like as if you are Korean but you're insisting on saying that you don't speak Korean >_> I've had some shop owners laugh at with other shop owners/customers once they find out I don't speak any Korean.. But, you get used to it.. It's somewhat like back home 10 or 20 years ago, just ignore it and it should be fine.

As for the people shouting stupid things.. if any passerby hears you speaking in English, they're gonna gawk like, WTF is that Korean doing speaking in English. Very Happy

Oh and even though you are Asian, in school you'll still get the, you can use chopsticks?? O_O;..

Since you're Chinese in a western country, I think you should be used to it enough that you'll be fine.

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

I've heard Chinese have a hard time in a hagwon. You don't look "western" and you're not Korean, so that's rough.

oh, I see Goku covered this. Well, +1 on that, then.

Have you thought about going to China? Koreans love returning to their homeland to teach, what about that?

miss tofu · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Location: NYC

I'm Chinese-American teaching in a PS. I've got no problems here in Korea really. Minor drunk old men from time to time. Otherwise, my co-teachers are great and my students love me.

The only thing Koreans will do (A LOT) is the whole "You're not Korean? Are you sure? But you look so Korean! How are you not Korean? Wait your Chinese? But you look Korean!" This happens at least once a day for me and sometimes I'm not in the mood to respond so I just say "ne" and wait for them to accept it. I swear they think its impossible for people to migrate.

Apart from that, it might be awkward in cabs or when you're trying to order food. Whenever I'm out with my friends the Koreans always turn to me for translation.

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Asian-Americans can work here if they can pass themselves off as Koreans.

African-Americans have little to no chance of working here.

Misera · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

AgDragon01 · Joined: 13 Nov 2008

by2004 · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Location: Gyeongsan

Dude - you'll be fine. Learn a few words in Korean, smile, be polite, use common sense, learn the customs and be chill. Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder and don't forget you're a guest in Korea.
I don't know where people get this "if you're Korean the older generation will look at you strangely". My buddy is an overseas Korean and he's had no problems whatsoever. Perhaps he's naive but he's good at ignoring the negatives, if there are any.