Korean Job Discussion Forums

[grant gerstners]

A concern emerges for me upon reading the recent thread about being "tall and hairy", somehow that discussion included mention of being an overweight westerner in Korea. Having spent time in different countries, I'm well aware that people in, e.g. the USA have become MUCH heavier in 3-4 decades. The difference leaps out from the page when comparing pictures of teenagers in high school yearbooks from the 60's and 70's versus from the 2000's.

I've been examining Dave's for a couple week's now, reading lots of threads and just recently began posting.

I have had the idea of teaching in Korea since August and gave it more thought in October. In the past two and a half weeks I've been reading the forums here and sending out resumes with a photo of myself.

I hope to teach in Korea but I AM overweight--and short, but otherwise healthy. The photo I send out mainly shows my face and shoulders, but my heaviness is apparent just in my face.

Is that an obstacle to getting hired? I would guess not, at first, since I have already heard back from recruiters who have seen my picture. If I get a job in Korea and show up there, will my weight be an issue?

On top of that, I'm 47, which is a lot older than the typical ESL teacher in Korea, or so I've gathered.

[Actually, one motivation I have for wanting to go to Korea is that the first person I spoke with face-to-face about teaching in Korea was a middle-aged woman who had just gotten back--to the USA--from her first teaching experience in Korea, with plans to go back.

She said that her body composition changed while she was in Korea and she slimmed down.

I tutor English for immigrants individually and in groups and enjoy it a lot, and really do want to do ESL abroad---so the weight loss possibilities are far from my only motivation].

p.s.I DO believe there's something about some countries which makes their citizens prone to obesity. But, that's a separate topic. For example, the high-fructose corn syrup in American beverages--even in the catsup. On a trip to London in 2004, and looking at a catsup label, it indicated glucose as the sweetener, instead. Mercury amalgams are common as dental fillings in children in the USA, while being banned in other countries. Fluoride and chlorine are added to drinking water in the USA, but not in some other countries.

[mattdsoares]

I'm 23 years old, 6'1" and about 280. I'm built like a defensive lineman, wear a 54 jacket and 44 pants. I'm a big guy. Not disgustingly obese, but built like a truck.

I had no problem getting a job in Korea. While I'm sure there are prejudices there about size and weight, I found that presenting myself in a professional manner in phone interviews and any contact with schools trumped that. I received multiple offers and chose the best one.

Granted, I leave for Korea in a few weeks, so I don't know the reaction when I get there...we'll see. However, I know people currently there, and according to them there will be no issue with being overweight. Friends and colleagues may point out to you that you're fat or should try and lose weight, but it's more of an open observation and not a real judgement. That's just how they are. They don't mean to make you feel bad, and won't discriminate against you, but you'll probably get some comments. According to my friends, being overweight will not limit you in terms of making friends or anything, but be prepared to either shrug off the comments or make an effort to lose the weight.

I myself am seeing the move as an opportunity to seriously drop some pounds.

[Oliver]

I lost a lot of weight in Korea. If you stick to Korean food there really is no way that you can't lost weight.

Mix up the Korean diet with regular cardiovascular exercise such as jogging or swimming. Doing that you'll see the pounds drop.

[Nuggets]

To be honest, it might affect if you get employment like anywhere else in the world. Everyone stereotypes, and has preconception about everything, that's how the human mind is wired. There will always be people that look at you and treat you differently because of how you look, I am guilty of that along with many others.

The truth is, people that are considered attractive get treated better. I mean, you have 2 highlighted negatives about you - 1. You're overweight, 2. you are a bit older than a fresh college grad. To be realistic, because of the job market you do have a much lower chance of being hired.

BUT, don't let that deter you from trying! I'm a healthy Asian, being Asian itself doesn't really fit the preferred ESL teacher image (blue-eyed, blonde, female). But, I kept trying and I finally got the position I wanted.

Also, about losing weight: I've worked at GNC before and I've come to a reinforced conclusion it's all about diet and exercise. It sounds really obvious, but this advice is always ignored and people look for the easy way out and that answer usually resides in a pill. Just drink water/juice, eat less and healthier, and do a little running/biking/swimming. You'll look better and you'll feel better.

Being in Korea will force you into a certain diet, albeit one that is much healthier than the typical American diet - I'm guessing that's how your friend lost weight.

Now, this is going to sound really mean - but hear me out. Again, working at GNC had me draw up a conclusion about overweight people, that they are overweight because they want to be. It might not make sense from the get go, but how can someone overweight say and think they want to be thinner and then go and eat way too many hamburgers, fries, and wash it down with surgery drinks? To me, when you actually WANT something you put effort into it, because in the real world you can't just 'think' away weight - make sense? It's like saying "I want to win the lotto," and then you don't even put down money to buy the ticket. I know that sounds like a strong opinion, and I believe in it - so I hope that helps.

[mattdsoares]

[Nuggets]

Well, I know what you are trying to say. But I am saying in this situation, actions speak louder than words. I'm not contending your claim that most obesity is from an inactive and unhealthy lifestyle aside from genetics which is actually pretty obvious in itself.

To not want to exercise and not wanting to eat healthier is like making the choice to not be healthy - no matter what your lifestyle may be. Do you get what I am saying?

Another example, I can think and say I want to get a master's in Chemistry. But I sit at home all day in my parent's basement playing video games. Because I didn't put an effort into it, I've effectively SHOWED that I didn't want it.

You may not say and think you DON'T want to be healthier, but you you aren't really showing it either. It's almost hypocritical - I don't mean to come off as offensive, but that is my view.

[mattdsoares]