Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hadeshorn]

When I first got here, I couldnt believe how awesome Korea was and how it surpassed my expectations (I myself am a small city boy).
I couldnt wait to come back for round 2 after going home for a bit. However some things have happened recently to change my mind.

This whole food poisoning / bronchitis thing has scared the living crap out of me. I am sooo lucky that I had a friend come into the hospital at 12am to help translate. Also they were sticking me with things and not explaining what they were doing. I also think the director is doing dodgy stuff with Health Insurance. As in I dont have a health booklet. What happens is that I pay the doctors bills up front and then give them to the director who then reimburses me 50%. Well this kinda sucked ass when im in the ER and they want my health card / booklet. I so badly crave western medicine right now.

I also didnt suffer homesickness because I had two good friends working with me at my school and they were a great support network. However the moment they left. I felt it and I feel quite alone here in Korea. Even tho I have been here 10 months.

The exchange rate has plummeted badly due to the strong AU and the weak WON. When I got here it was 750 won and now its like 920 (Yes yes I know the IMF stories, but I had plans to be debt free when I return to Australia).

Also teaching children is wearing me out. I am feeling unfulfilled with my job. I am bored senseless and it seems forever till the day ends. Also the split shifts kill me as well. Like starting at 9 and then working for 1 hour and then coming back at 2 and working till 7. ITS NUTS.

Also with my supervisor telling me that my teaching style has cost the school students (I thought I was an ok teacher as I have had a class from the beginning and I can have mini conversations with them). This utterly depressed me. If I cant do this backend job then what can I really do here in Korea. Obviously I wont be returning to this school.

The only shining star in all of this is I met a girl and we are still kinda friends but it could be more. She is a US citizen, her father is a USFK contractor. She is amazing and I love spending time and talking to her. If I go home. I never see her again.

Also I have a Computing Degree. The jobs for that back home are very unsatisfying in the state where I live. Lower pay plus HECS payments and also most IT jobs are getting shipped overseas. Also I kinda breezed thru my course not really learning much. EG I have forgotton most of it now and I cant see myself in front of a computer for the majority of my life as a career.

So I am at a crossroads right now. I have had some good times here in Korea and I can see myself having a lot more. But I just dont know. Anyone got any good advice?

[just because]

Man,
Come back for a second round because deep down you probably want to.
I think it is good that some lessons were learned and I can tell you, you are a better person for that. I'm sure just be living here you've learned a lot about where to work and where not to.
Now try and put this into practice and get a better job this time around. make use of the connections you got by coming here and I'm sure it'll work out for you.
Good luck

[Homer]

Its all about what makes you happy and where you are confortable.

If the jobs back home in your field do not statisfy you thats a hint.
You have choices. If you prefer making and home and a life back home thats totally understandable and perhaps all you need to do that is a bit of re-training (i.e. another degree or trade).

Or, perhaps you like teaching and want to make a career out of it. This can be done by teaching ESL abroad (in korea or elsewhere).

The thing about good times is that you should look beyond that. The question here could be: What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?

And what do you need to have to be doing that?

Good luck dude.

[Gwangjuboy]

[cacheSurfer]

[Blue Flower]

I know how you feel. I have just decided to stay on for another year. and am still not 100% sure how great my decision was. Time will tell.

[peemil]

Do it. Why not? I'm just about to finish my second year here and I had basically the same experience. Just run down, tired of work and the like.

I met an American girl too. At the time it was just beginning but I thought what the hell. I'll stay for another. See how this pans out. Close to a year later we're still togethor and going to Australia and the States in a 10 weeks. Then coming back here with her

As for work. You have to look at what your doing and give yourself some honest answers. Like what am I doing here? What could be better? Look at how you can improve your job satisfaction and hence, your students learning.

That being said you have to keep on top of it. The end of the first year is a really funny time. Time to reflect really. So to is the end of the second year. I can feel my feet dragging. I haven't been home for two years and just today I got beeped at the lights. Why? Because I was thinking about the wide expanse of the outback, the heat, the taste of the breeze in your mouth and knowing that no-one else for miles is around.

I miss home. But sometimes you just have to push on through.

Up to you though.

[rawiri]

blueflower, i thought you were going to england???????i dont know you at all really but why have you changed your mind???im asking cos my buddy is in london at the mo and by all accounts hes going hard!!!!!!i would jump on the next plane and hit it up with him but im an old geezer (30 in june) so i cant do it, i say *beep* the next contract and go to england for a couple of years. but hey what do i know?.

[Tiger Beer]

[Blue Flower]

[kangnamdragon]

If you are thinking of coming back, then you probably want to and will.

[crazylemongirl]

I have just started round two. At present I am enjoying it. I will have my evenings free (as I finish at 4.30) so I will have time to pick up a hobby. yah me! Also puts off making a life decision for yet another year