Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Dev]

Just curious about those who settle down in Korea.
People replying to this post, I'd like to know
1) How long have you been here?
2) How has your experience been so far?
3) Was it hard to adjust to this unique culture?
4) Are you still pleased today?

I came up with this post because I was wondering what the success rate of settling down happily in this country was. I worked in Korea for a few years, but never considered planting my roots there. I just don't think I can "play the foreigner" for more than a few years.

Your thoughts?
Maybe you have some advice for those thinking of settling down in Korea.

[naturegirl321]

I think many people who settle down here are those married to a Korean. Look here

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=173996&highlight=
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=175373&highlight=

[SanchoPanza]

1) How long have you been here?

Since December 1996.

2) How has your experience been so far?

Highs and lows. Saved lots of money. Not on an E2, I'm on an E7,
so I don't have to worry about the hoops and hurdles in place today.
In fact, I'm pretty sure I would NEVER be granted an E2, for several
reasons. (hehe) I work in a factory. Very professional atmosphere.
No problems.

3) Was it hard to adjust to this unique culture?

In 1996 it was. You think Korea is backwards now. You should have
seen it back then. i.e. curfews, the army censored TV and movies,
NO, and I mean NO, foreign products etc. etc.

4) Are you still pleased today?

I see light at the end of the tunnel. Save US$500,000 and split to
the Philippines. So, yes, I'm still pleased. Also I have a daughter
and wife, who is less than 200Kg. I pay about 1% tax. I don't have
pension or UI deductions. So what I make is what I take home. None
of this "give my hard earned money to welfare scum" sort of thing that
is all the rage in the west.

To be honest, I'm a bit of an anarchist. So Korea is great for me.

[Dev]

SanchoPanza,

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Sounds like Korea has worked out well for you. That's excellent.

As for Korea being backward, I didn't say that or meant any of my comments to be taken to that extreme. Korea is advancing by leaps and bounds and is more advanced than my country, Canada, in many ways, particularly, the health care system. In Canada, they make it difficult to get any health care. Long waits at clinics and this B.S. of having to get referal slips form your family doctor to see a specialist like a skin doctor. In Korea, if my hands are turning some strange color, I can go straight to a skin clinic and get quick treatment.

But in terms of race relations, Korea is where Canada was 35 years ago - people pointing out that you're different. Probably the language barrier takes a lot of the blame. The Economist magazine recently published a study that said 42% of South Koreans had never spoken to a foreigner. So there is an explanation, but still surprizing in this age of cheap international travel. Personally, I was never comfortable with the extra attention I got just because I was of a different race.

As for your welfare scum comment, there was a study that showed in the U.S. that welfare payouts amounted to less that 1% of the government's budget. The people who complain about welfare recipients are blind to the real problem with the gov's spending. Things like the Iraq war and the $700 billion dollar bailout for Wall Street are what should have people freaking out.

[tall_dave]

[bigtexas]

1) How long have you been here?
3 years

2) How has your experience been so far?
Difficult to adjust at first, but once I met the smartest and most beautiful korean woman, I changed. Saved tons. looking to be at nearly 100k by next year. Oh, and she blessed me with the most beautiful child I could ever imagine.

3) Was it hard to adjust to this unique culture?
The more I read and knew about Korean Culture the more money and connections I means. got to a uni job in under a year.

4) Are you still pleased today?
How can you not be pleased when you have a great uni job, own a car and a house, have more part time jobs than I can imagine, and make nearly 8k a month.

I am not complaining, but my friends in the states with no job sure are! The money is good if you play your cards right.

[Stalin84]

Just curious about those who settle down in Korea.
People replying to this post, I'd like to know

1) How long have you been here?

Since June of 2007, nearly three years. I came immediately after graduation. I received my degree on stage, took my gown off, hopped in the car and FedEx'ed overnight it to my first Korean employer and was here a few weeks later. When I was at the FedEx office there were a bunch of recent graduates doing the exact same thing. Someone said "Korea?" and we all chuckled.

2) How has your experience been so far?

Generally good. There have been ups and downs. I've reached my time limit though, the things that didn't bother me in my first year have started bothering me now and I've realized I've stayed past my expiration date.

3) Was it hard to adjust to this unique culture?

At first, no. Because you're largely ignored you can do whatever you want. Culture shock and cultural differences didn't really come into the equation until my second year. It was when I wanted more from the experience that I started hitting brick walls (trying to learn Korean, trying to be a better teacher, trying to get more involved etc.)

4) Are you still pleased today?

Not as much, no. I have had a pretty sound experience as far as people here usually do but I think I need to take a break. I've maxed out Korea in under three years and there is nothing left to see or do here. Its sad when I've seen significantly more of Korea than any of my co-workers.

It's not that I mind being used to this country and it's ways. That was the plan all along. The thing I mind is constantly being bothered and the constant friction I feel with people and life here. It really is a different country once the novelty wears off and you're forced to deal with it on an even playing field (did I say "even"?)

[Forward Observer]

[shapeshifter]

[PatrickGHBusan]

You seem honest with your questions so I will respond...

[Chet Wautlands]