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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Oliver
Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Location: Seoul, Korea
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 Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:22 pm Post subject: Longtermers and passers by |
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I taught in Korea for a year and I plan on heading back. I think it's a much better life.
I was wondering, are there a lot of long term teachers in Korea or would you say that most people are graduates who come for 1 or 2 years before moving on? |
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soviet_man
Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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I'd say about 30% don't finish 1 year.
They abandon duty, they freak out, they can't cut it, feel socially isolated, usually have problems at work or things at home they want to go back to.
Maybe another 30% do 1 year and go home.
This is the sensible group. They do 1 year of pony show in a hagwon and then move on; travel; do post-grad study; build careers; get on with their lives.
A smaller group, perhaps 20%, stay on for more than 1 year, but not more than 2 years.
People who have usually moved schools, or got a second contract, have developed some sort of social network here, are involved in activities outside of school, are still keen and interested in Korea Inc.
A final hardcore group of 20% stay on into their 3rd year and beyond.
Typically people in long-term relationships who can't leave easily; or single misfits. Just because they are here a long term, doesn't mean they are happy. |
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Oliver
Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Location: Seoul, Korea
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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haha, funny analogy. So there's no hope for long termers who actually like this place?  |
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hamie
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Location: The middle of nowhere Korea
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm one of those that did a full year, then left (not for home) and taught in Mexico, now I'm planning on coming back. |
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bluelake
Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| soviet_man wrote: |
| Typically people in long-term relationships who can't leave easily; or single misfits. Just because they are here a long term, doesn't mean they are happy. |
...but it doesn't mean we're not, either...
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=173996 |
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IlIlNine
Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Location: Gunpo, Gyonggi, SoKo
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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| soviet_man wrote: |
A final hardcore group of 20% stay on into their 3rd year and beyond.
Typically people in long-term relationships who can't leave easily; or single misfits. Just because they are here a long term, doesn't mean they are happy. |
Hardcore! Rock on..
Actually, I stay because every year my situation improves significantly and I'm on my third career (if you count a full time master's degree) here so things are always fresh. For now, the years to come are still full of hope and potential, so there's no pressing need to head home into the.. well .. unknown.
If I were teaching English at the same school for that whole time, it's possible to lose your sanity... so my advice if you're looking to be part of our elite group here is to always improve yourself, keep changing things up, and always push forward. If you're the unambitious type then.. well .. good things don't just happen automatically. |
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SanchoPanza
Joined: 10 Jan 2010
Location: London
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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| soviet_man wrote: |
I'd say about 30% don't finish 1 year.
They abandon duty, they freak out, they can't cut it, feel socially isolated, usually have problems at work or things at home they want to go back to.
Maybe another 30% do 1 year and go home.
This is the sensible group. They do 1 year of pony show in a hagwon and then move on; travel; do post-grad study; build careers; get on with their lives.
A smaller group, perhaps 20%, stay on for more than 1 year, but not more than 2 years.
People who have usually moved schools, or got a second contract, have developed some sort of social network here, are involved in activities outside of school, are still keen and interested in Korea Inc.
A final hardcore group of 20% stay on into their 3rd year and beyond.
Typically people in long-term relationships who can't leave easily; or single misfits. Just because they are here a long term, doesn't mean they are happy. |
This has to one of the absolute stupidest replies I have ever read on this
forum.
First, since when does a job stop being a job and and become a
duty? If you quit a job at Burger King back home are you abandoning your duty?
A pilot in the air has a duty to passengers. A doctor at the table
with a patient has a duty. An ESL teacher? Give me a break.
Second, the sensible group? How do you know? Maybe they are going
back to feed their coke habit. I knew people in the '90s that stayed 5-6 years
and went back and bought a house. Were those extra 4-5 years wasted?
Third 20%, stay on for more than 1 year Do you have stats for this you
can show us or did you pull this number out of your dungkomung?
Lastly single misfits The president of GM Daewoo stayed here for
about 4 years. Is he a social misfit?
Do you write for the Herald or Times? |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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One thing that really bugs me are the people who look at a single guy in his 30's, 40's, or whatever above that, and say he's some kind of oddity or misfit. I'll never find the thread, but someone posted how such guys are so strange, and going so far far as to hint that they must be pedophiles or something. That's just insane.
Marriage isn't for everyone, and what right does anyone have to call these people suspect?
If a person wants to stay single, that's their choice. |
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redaxe
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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| soviet_man wrote: |
I'd say about 30% don't finish 1 year.
They abandon duty, they freak out, they can't cut it, feel socially isolated, usually have problems at work or things at home they want to go back to.
Maybe another 30% do 1 year and go home.
This is the sensible group. They do 1 year of pony show in a hagwon and then move on; travel; do post-grad study; build careers; get on with their lives.
A smaller group, perhaps 20%, stay on for more than 1 year, but not more than 2 years.
People who have usually moved schools, or got a second contract, have developed some sort of social network here, are involved in activities outside of school, are still keen and interested in Korea Inc.
A final hardcore group of 20% stay on into their 3rd year and beyond.
Typically people in long-term relationships who can't leave easily; or single misfits. Just because they are here a long term, doesn't mean they are happy. |
Yeah, almost every foreigner I know who's been here more than two years is a white man with a Korean wife. You basically need your own "personal Korean" to help you get stuff done to survive here long-term.
I'm in the third group--halfway through my second year but definitely not planning to stay a third. I know I don't want to be here forever, and I feel like the longer I stay here, the harder and harder it will be to leave. I'd probably end up marrying some Korean girl even though I don't want to, haha. |
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capebretoncanadian
Joined: 20 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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