Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hyde]

I sense a great deal of negativity on this forum about Korea, I'm considering the prospect of moving to Korea and teaching for a year or maybe more if I like it. But I'm not sure if it's the place for me, after all the negativity is somewhat of a downer.

I've been working for a bank for the last two years with people who have done nothing with their lives but sit at a computer and develop a bad posture. Sure they have an investment property and two cars, but there's more to life than that.

I don't know why but I find the idea of living in a foreign country completely different to mine (Australia) exciting.

So I put the question out there, does anyone have anything decent to say about the place? every job sucks to some degree, but that needs to be put a side and let the bigger picture reveal itself.

[Olivencia]

Anything decent to say?

The chicks are awesome here!

[Murakano]

[coralreefer_1]

My advice would be to follow your own ideals and desires about whether or not to come here. Don't take this board to seriously, because much of the negativity here is really just people blowing off steam. If it were really all that bad they would get their crap and leave.

Korea is a decent place, but its not for everyone. Then again, world travel is not for everyone either, so take it with a grain of salt. Gee..what positive things could we say..well that varies from person to person. I personally enjoy the food, but many complain that Korean food sucks because they use too much garlic and red pepper paste. As you can see..its all relative.

Aside from random opinions..here are a few of the positives that I could pass along.

1. Awesome and widespread high speed internet

2. Low costs of food (assuming you do not insist on western food every day of the week)

3. Many more options for shopping (As compared to back home where the only real places to shop was a mall, a chain discount store, or a flea market)

4. Being a small country, things get moved around the country in a day practically. You can order something from an internet shopping mall and have it arrive within 2 days.

5. Despite all of the negativity and ramblings you might here to the contrary, Koreans are generally fairly nice to foreigners. Of course there are always exceptions that we do have to put up with a bit of crap every now and then.

6. Again on the small country thing..it really doesn't matter where you are really, you can almost always find fresh seafood.

7. I am especially impressed with the older people here. I enjoy the fact I can go hiking and see 60+ year old people breeze by me on the way up a mountain. I like to see old men playing baduk or majang together. Old age here is a time to be enjoyed it seems, and they seem to be having much more fun that the old people back home who can barely move and see much more sick.

8. Things are pretty laid back here as far as drinking. For example, back in the US (North Carolina) we have strict laws on alcohol. Aside from the purchase restrictions, it is illegal to have alcohol in the park (state property), or on the street/sidewalk. I like the way I can go over to the park with some friends, a cooler of cold beers and a grill and spend an afternoon playing basketball, grilling up some ribs and having a few brews.

9. Public transportation is very convenient. City buses/subways, and numerous options on the national rail lines/express buses to travel almost anywhere with ease.

10. Where you are interested in it or not, there is alot of history here to be taken in.

I suppose I could go on, but wanted to offer up something other than positives about women or clubs/drinking bars. I'm sure the next 5 pages will be full of that

[greene]

after college i worked at a bank for a year before i came here. i've been here for a year and 7 months. i leave next month (my first school shut down after 8 months)

some good things about korea:

..all your friends will think you're a hero back home. suddenly you'll have the most interesting life to everyone that isn't here.
..bibimbap and haedupbab are delicious. korean bbq is delicious.
..the girls are pretty and interested in foreigners.
..its easy to save money or pay your student loans since you don't have to pay for a place or a ticket home. the work hours aren't too long
..you feel like you are growing as a person.. you can taste the actualization
..its fun to take the bus
..if you want your college years back you can easily meet a huge group of partiers and be an alcoholic...although your friends will be older and complain about hangovers on facebook in status updates more often

but.. many bad things as well

pollution, confusion with people who don't speak the language, boring architecture, a seemingly more superficial culture

come. its a good experience overall. even those that hate it here are happy they came probably

[Tundra_Creature]

Cheap clothes, cheap food, cheap transportation, cheap cell phones. Tons of places to go and see if you're up for the tourist deal.

If you ever get lost, people are usually willing to help if you just ask (or some people may just walk up to you. I've had that before as well).

Also not far from places like China or Japan. You can take ferries (or just a cheap plane ticket).

I could go on.

I think it mostly depends where you're situated, if you're a clubber/or not, and of course, what kind of job you have. I wasn't a teacher, but you should certainly do a research about what schools are good and which ones aren't.

[Solarian]

It depends on what you want.
I started climbing the corporate ladder fresh out of school, and worked really hard for two years with no vacation time whatsoever. At some point, I just snapped, because I felt I was growing up too quickly, taking on too many responsibilities too soon, my subordinates were douchebags, and my superiors did not understand my situation at ALL. Being the boss of people old enough to be your father when you're in your early 20's seems cool at first, but they know how to make your life and work as difficult as possible while staying within the confines of the rules.
So, I wanted a one year vacation far away from all the stress. I got that, and I'm really happy. I managed to save up some money too, which I'll scatter to the winds by travelling all of Asia and some of Europe over a span of few months. I think that all of this will prepare me mentally for the arduous task of climbing up said corporate ladder again and having to deal with annoying office politics and back stabbing wankery on a daily basis. I'm almost starting to miss it

[The Goalie]

[Kurtz]

OP,

I think you're coming with the wrong attitude. You might think you're leaving the rat race behind, doing something different by kissing your desk life away and going to live in a foreign country, but it sounds like you're escaping from something and expecting fun and games here.

One would assume you'll be teaching English here. Do you have an interest in teaching? Do you like Korean culture? Do you know anything about Korea at all?

As mentioned, this forum is used to blow off steam, and hence should be taken with a grain of salt, but there isn't smoke without fire. Korea doesn't rub well for many, and it's not a bad thing to read about some of the negative things, as it's hardly a balanced view to say life here is a bed of roses.

In answer to your question RE-positives (lets not mention the negatives)

Money rolling into my bank account
Cheap food and booze
Opportunity to work with some funny children
Travel in a country with hardly any foreign tourists
Safe and regular and clean public transport system
Random acts of kindness from strangers I never got in Australia
Vending machines that actually work
Having shops, banks, pharmacies at your fingertips
Cheap medical and dental
Personal safety factor (unless I step in a taxi)

[Goon-Yang]

You can drink as much as you want where and when ever you want. If you call in sick they will think you are weak. If you call in hungover or you went out with the teachers the night before, they'll understand.

[canactuary]

Hyde, I'm a bit surprised at the responses you received. Surprised in that I agree with most of it. I actually expected more negative comments, not because I support them, but because that's what I've come to expect from this forum.

Having said that though, you shouldn't ignore the negative comments either. There are reasons for them. Just keep in mind that (I believe) most people here tend to make generalizations from their experiences both good and bad. If someone tells you to come to Korea or not come to Korea, I would say that may be bad advice. It's said a lot but everyone is different, different perspectives, expectations, objectives, personality, etc. We don't know you, and it's your decision at the end of the day. There are also risks to consider too. Anyways best of luck!

Oh yeah, my own personal experience with Korea is great.

Pros for me:
- Lower cost of living generally
- Lower taxes
- C'mon! Oversea opportunity to broaden your thinking, perspective, etc (if you want to)
- I can return back home anytime I want, but when will I be able to work/travel in Korea? For you, what is 1 year in the rest of your life?
- a lot of fun. Meet new friends and explore what a new country has to offer.

Cons for me:
- International food is overpriced and not worth the $. I suppose I was spoiled in Toronto.
- Korea I find more obsessed with image/reputation. Which may be a good for some I suppose...
- Behaviour that is normal here, but considered rude back at home. Pushing on subways, spitting, periodic stares here and there, but to me it's not a big deal at all and soon forgotten.

[Janny]

[lorenchristopher]

[saram_]

[sheba]

My first job was awesome... sure I had my bad days, naughty students and occasional complaints about my boss... but all in all it was an amazing experience. Stayed at that school for 3 years. I cant stress enough how important it is to do your research and try to find a good job. Maybe it was just me, but I found that when I was unhappy at work, it affect all aspects of my life. If I had a personal prob i could keep it separate from my work like, but my work life seemed to spill over into my personal life.

And try not to let what you read here affect your perceptions of Korea... this board is a lot more negative than reality in Korea (for most of us). Some people here have some really good advice, so pick and choose who you listen to... (old timers are usually more constructive).

I was like you, the idea of going to another English speaking country just didnt appeal, had to be a new country, new culture and new language! I think it will work in your favor. Some people come here and expect life to basically carry on as it did back home... they are sorely dissapointed and usually really unhappy with their lifestyle here. Korea can be an amazing place to live if you have an open mind...

Book a ticket and come!