Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Homer]

Here is what seems logical to me for anyone that wishes to come to Korea to teach.

1- Before anything else, ask yourself why you are considering doing this and if you are truly ready to live in a different country for a year.

Pay close attention to the answer you get.

2- Use 'Al' a.k.a. the net to research potential employers.

3- Be reasonable in your expectations for a first job. Especially if you are just out of university.

4- Think about where you would prefer to live in Korea (big city or smaller area) and what that entails.

5- Once you get job offers, do more research on that particular employer.
If possible contact teachers that are allready there or have worked there.

6- Make sure you have your completed E-2 visa in hand before coming (thats just my preference as I find it simpler).

7- Read the contract carefully and understand what it says.

8- Read the contract carefully again to make sure you understand what it means and implies.

If you are unsure about the contract then ask people who know (use 'Al' again he likes it)

9- Make sure you understand what you are getting into here. There are clauses in your contract as to pay, deductions and modalities. Read them and if you don't understand them then ask around.

10- Understand that your employer has contractual obligations to you but that you also have obligations to him or her.

This is a good start in my opinion.

[mithridates]

11 - try to find out whether the school will make you live with a roommate, put smokers with non-smokers, or whether they give teachers their own place. It helps if they have a firm policy on this, as opposed to deciding where to put someone after they have gotten off the plane.

I would write more but brain no work after long train ride. Sorry.

[SuperHero]

12. have something to fall back on in case your situation isn't what is expected. re: have a credit card and a flight back home.

[VanIslander]

#13 - Realize that you might be unlucky enough to have a bad employer but that it's equally likely you might just have a quite typical Korean employer, where payday isn't treated like a fixed date, where you get little to no advanced notice of changes in class schedule, and where your contract is a piece of paper not as important as the relationship you establish.

[Ya-ta Boy]

#14. Keep in mind that if how things are done at home is the only way things should be done, then maybe you would be more comfortable staying home.

#15. If being around people who don't speak English is normally (or frequently) irritating to you, then you shouldn't come here. Speaking English louder at someone who doesn't speak English will not solve the problem.

#16. If you hated school and every teacher you ever had, then maybe teaching English is not a good job choice for you.

#17. If making money is your only reason for coming here, you might want to reconsider your decision. Paydays are 30 days apart and those 30 days can be excruciating if you are not at all interested in being here.

[crazylemongirl]

# 18 expect the unexpected. Things change here very rapidly. Those who crave control should not come here.
# 19 remember that personal relationships are very important here, bringing gifts and generally being a nice person will make your life easier.

[jajdude]

#20 Remember it isn't a holiday or something to do for fun, though it can be interesting. Your main purpose here is to work and try to do a good job and act professional.

#21 Learn to enjoy your own company, even if you have people to spend time with regularly. Even riding on buses or subways can feel lonesome. Bring something to read.

[kangnamdragon]

#22 Try to learn how to say more than hello and goodbye in Korean.

[shawner88]

#24 If you think about it too much, you may never come. Just jump on a plane. That's what I did.

[kangnamdragon]

I think 23 comes after 22...


and before 24

[schwa]

23 .. be prepared to see 'home' through different eyes when & if your return there.

[Ilsanman]

24. Make sure you like korean food. If you don't, learn to cook. Western food is usually unhealthy or ultra expensive.

[captain kirk]

25. Bring your hobbies. Whatever books or equipment you need to continue with them here, because you'll have a lot of time and being engrossed in what you love will pass the time; there will be no time, just fascination and progress. That will save you money making it yourself instead of looking for it with cash; fascination.

[shawner88]

#26. Don't over analyze everything. It may seem crazy to you and everyone you know, but it's not hard to adjust.

#27 Read my entire website

[hellofaniceguy]

#28; common sense. Don't come to korea. (I learned the hard way, no common sense!)