Korean Job Discussion Forums

[teachingmom]

I know this might seem odd but I am considering traveling with my entire family! I would love to move to Taiwan or Korea for a couple of years to teach English. I was a history minor in college and we touched on both Korea and Taiwan and every since I have been totally obsessed!

Fact is, I am an African American, single mom to a 2year old son. I say that only because I hear its very racist in both Korea and Taiwan. Not only do I have the racial fact as an issue but also the fact that I am a parent. I decided that I wanted my son to experience different cultures and to be tolerant of the differences in people. That said, he won't be going to school and I would like to bring either my sister or my mom along to watch him when I am teaching.


How realistic, or shall I say how hard will it be teaching abroad with my entire family? What type of visas will they get? Have you ever had any other teachers traveling with their families? Are there any homes large enough for all of us at affordable prices on a teachers salary?

Thanks so much for any suggestions that you can offer

[kantoi09]

I am not living in Korea , but I am heading there myself. I am also black. If you are on facebook you should check out Brothas&Sistas of South Korea. They seem very useful.

[AgentM]

Pretty much the only way you'll be able to bring your sister or mother over is as tourists (unless your sister can also get a job teaching English depending on how old she is?), that said they could stay for 3 months as tourists but then would have to leave (although they might be allowed back into the country again on another tourist entry if they leave for a short amount of time and come back you'd have to check on that).

Also keep in mind that you are most likely going to wind up in a very small apartment, some of which are just barely big enough for one person to live in, let alone two or three. I doubt if potential employers are going to make allowances for the fact that you are bringing a child with you, although I may be wrong. Perhaps others could comment on that?

All in all, your situation sounds very challenging! Not something that I would want to try to face myself. Best of luck!

[wenchstalker]

The apartments most schools provide are small, but some allow for you to take a housing stipend instead. Just discuss it before signing a contract, but check out realistic prices for the area you might be living. For example, if they provide a studio apartment (plus furnishings) see if you can offer to pay the cost difference for a larger apartment. That way, they are still whom you contact for problems, and they will provide most furnishings. My first school let people upgrade by paying the difference between what they normally rented and the larger one.

Your education, experience, and the job types you're looking for can all be factors. For example, some university positions expect people to bring their families, and the appropriate paperwork is provided.

Also, your mother/sister might be able to apply for an F-1 VISA, family visitation since you will be here teaching (e-2), but I don't really know if it applies for non-spousal family members.