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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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 Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:12 am Post subject: How do you guys keep it going? |
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This is for the veterans of this place. I am in my 4th year and I struggle to understand why I remain here. I have reasons to stay, but I want to go more than ever these days. What is the secret?
And the tourist commercials that air on Discovery? "Infinitely yours, Seoul" and the one that says Seoul is a city of romance. Who wrote that $hit? Obviously they don't live here. |
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gangwonbound
Joined: 27 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:27 am Post subject: |
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I think for some long-timers it's because they have ties here ie wife/husband etc...
Or the fact that they really don't want to go home because Korea is better as in lifestyle etc...
Think of what you have to lose and gain by leaving Korea...
Also some people are able to earn money here while getting some type of education which would either give them a better job in Korea or when they decide to go back home. |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:35 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah, I guess you're right, but do I really want to live in Korea for an extended period of time beyond now is the question. This place is far from cool in most respects. I can usually hang regardless of circumstance, but I really think that it is time to go (amazing gf of 3 years aside). |
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gangwonbound
Joined: 27 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:49 am Post subject: |
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| byrddogs wrote: |
| Yeah, I guess you're right, but do I really want to live in Korea for an extended period of time beyond now is the question. This place is far from cool in most respects. I can usually hang regardless of circumstance, but I really think that it is time to go (amazing gf of 3 years aside). |
When you ask these questions it usually means you've been there long enough. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:01 am Post subject: |
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| the day I feel compelled to ask that question is the time for me to move on |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:12 am Post subject: |
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| VanIslander wrote: |
| the day I feel compelled to ask that question is the time for me to move on |
It does seem as simple as that, right? Too bad that it is more complicated. I'll push on for at least one more year and if things haven't changed then it is defiinitely time to go. Thanks for the responses. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:17 am Post subject: |
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| byrddogs wrote: |
| ...how special 한국 is and 한국사람 are and that you are 외국인 |
i am what? huh?
both myself and two of the expats who have been year 10+ years that I know well and are happy here don't know the Korean language and that natural buffer from the masses has a very good side: we relate most with Koreans who speak English, whom are more polite than the average, at least when they use English
it keeps sounding like those who GO NATIVE have it rough; living the EXPAT life is easier, maybe that's a factor in terms of your experience
be respectful but distant, don't expect to change the locals nor have the locals change you, don't *beep* into the wind, go with the flow at times, do your own thing at other times, take what benefits you appreciate from the local culture and ignore those that you don't like
i have no idea what Koreans are saying about me in Korean, and those locals who know me treat me with respect; and one needn't know what is said by a stranger on the street, and ignoring the intolerant, xenophobic arrogant *beep*s who try and give attitude may be a key to longterm satisfaction around here |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:21 am Post subject: |
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i just replied to the latest post the op deleted  |
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mheartley
Joined: 18 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: |
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I went through the same thing and forced myself to leave. Felt I'd spent too long in Asia, wasn't really enhancing my career prospects much, didn't want to stick around for too long and then look back and really regret it, despite all the friendships and good times and whatnot.
Now of course, I'm thinking of going back. I think leaving for a while is sometimes what it takes for people to really realize how much they did or didn't enjoy their life in Korea/Japan/China/wherever. I think you have to stay away at least 6 months to a year though, otherwise when the return culture shock hits you after a couple of months you can kind of get a bit of a "what the hell am I doing back here, why did I leave" feeling - I did, at least. After a year or so when it all levels out you can judge it a lot better. |
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Cheonmunka
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:20 am Post subject: |
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^ I'm a little worried about going back to NZ. I went back in '04 for year of study, basically in and out. This time I should go back permanently.
I wish I could take my family with me. Brother in laws etc, Man, just do anything for me. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:29 am Post subject: |
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As much as I like to bitch about K land on 'Dave's', I know how good I have it here -
total autonomy in a PS position;
08:30 - 16:30 - more than half of which I don't actually 'work'
an incredibly low tax rate;
full benefits;
3+ months per year paid holidays;
'political correctness' at a level so low as to be non-existant;
cheap smokes.
I actually like 99.8% of my students.
The adults however, are subject to change... so far, the new ones have been easily trainable.
if I draw a bad principal/v.p., I'll leave. Until then, I staying put.
Not a bad gig at all. |
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Cheonmunka wrote: |
^ I'm a little worried about going back to NZ. I went back in '04 for year of study, basically in and out. This time I should go back permanently.
I wish I could take my family with me. Brother in laws etc, Man, just do anything for me. |
I can tell you Cheonmunka, that though I think Korea has its good points and is not nearly as bad as some of the Daves posters make it out to be, it just can't compare to New Zealand. New Zealand's not a paradise by any stretch of the margins but there's a sense of openess, diversity, naturalness and freedom here that Korea really can't compare with.
Having said that, the job situation here is dire, house and property prices could still do with coming down a bit and - though not as extreme as in Korea - there's still an expectation to conform to an mainstream society that I still see as a bit shallow, materialistic and ignorant (I mean god, we voted in John Key and the National Party - that's a pretty bad indictment of average kiwi society).
At least you've got a house to go back to in New Zealand, but I hope you have better luck with the job hunting. |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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| kiwiduncan wrote: |
| Cheonmunka wrote: |
^ I'm a little worried about going back to NZ. I went back in '04 for year of study, basically in and out. This time I should go back permanently.
I wish I could take my family with me. Brother in laws etc, Man, just do anything for me. |
I can tell you Cheonmunka, that though I think Korea has its good points and is not nearly as bad as some of the Daves posters make it out to be, it just can't compare to New Zealand. New Zealand's not a paradise by any stretch of the margins but there's a sense of openess, diversity, naturalness and freedom here that Korea really can't compare with.
Having said that, the job situation here is dire, house and property prices could still do with coming down a bit and - though not as extreme as in Korea - there's still an expectation to conform to an mainstream society that I still see as a bit shallow, materialistic and ignorant (I mean god, we voted in John Key and the National Party - that's a pretty bad indictment of average kiwi society).
At least you've got a house to go back to in New Zealand, but I hope you have better luck with the job hunting. |
Those would all be concerns for me if I chose to go back to the States. Who knows what would be in store there?
I have a relatively good life here, albeit a bit lonely aside from my gf. All of my friends have left and gone home. My PS is wonderful and I'm at the higher end of the pay scale.
I guess that I was having "one of those days" when I posted before. I will go home for a few weeks soon and hopefully that will refresh me (fingers crossed). Thanks again everyone for sharing. |
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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| byrddogs wrote: |
| kiwiduncan wrote: |
| Cheonmunka wrote: |
^ I'm a little worried about going back to NZ. I went back in '04 for year of study, basically in and out. This time I should go back permanently.
I wish I could take my family with me. Brother in laws etc, Man, just do anything for me. |
I can tell you Cheonmunka, that though I think Korea has its good points and is not nearly as bad as some of the Daves posters make it out to be, it just can't compare to New Zealand. New Zealand's not a paradise by any stretch of the margins but there's a sense of openess, diversity, naturalness and freedom here that Korea really can't compare with.
Having said that, the job situation here is dire, house and property prices could still do with coming down a bit and - though not as extreme as in Korea - there's still an expectation to conform to an mainstream society that I still see as a bit shallow, materialistic and ignorant (I mean god, we voted in John Key and the National Party - that's a pretty bad indictment of average kiwi society).
At least you've got a house to go back to in New Zealand, but I hope you have better luck with the job hunting. |
Those would all be concerns for me if I chose to go back to the States. Who knows what would be in store there?
I have a relatively good life here, albeit a bit lonely aside from my gf. All of my friends have left and gone home. My PS is wonderful and I'm at the higher end of the pay scale.
I guess that I was having "one of those days" when I posted before. I will go home for a few weeks soon and hopefully that will refresh me (fingers crossed). Thanks again everyone for sharing. |
What are your sports, hobbies and interests? If you were into hiking or cycling or something you could see a whole new side of life in Korea. Are you studying Korean? That can open up a a whole new aspect to living in Korea too.
I've got to be honest, the lifestyle that I like in NZ (lots of cycling, admiring the countryside scenery and hanging out with tree-huggers etc) is pretty easy to pursue at home, but it takes a whole lot more effort to meet the right people and join in the interesting activities in Korea. If you've learnt a bit of Korean then start looking on the internet for groups or activities that you would really want to be active in if you were back in the States too. |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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Good advice Kiwi. My hobbies are golf and mountain biking. I can't play golf here (too damn expensive). A few months ago I sunk about 5.0 mil into a sweet mtb. That is my solice these days. If I am feeling down, I just ride.
As far as learning the language more, it would be helpful while living here, but I'm just not that interested in it. I was in my first year, but lost interest afterwards.
I think that a trip home will be good (lots of golf and laying by the pool at my parent's house) and I can push on for at least one more year. |
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