Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nzbradly78]

The Koreans I've known in NZ have broken into two groups, as far as this topic is concerned:

Students who'd been in the country for a while had a disconnect with Korea and didn't want to go back. I understand why, as some of the kids that have come from years overseas are ostrascized and have a hard time fitting in at schools back here. They also hear the horror stories of hogwons and high stakes testing. These kids were generally sent to New Zealand for their entire primary or high school life. They ended up considering New Zealand more their home than Korea.

Their parents or people only planning on coming to New Zealand for a specified time were looking forward to going back. I guess they didn't have much incentive to lay down roots and get involved with things in town. Fair enough. I'm doing the same here.

[Ukon]

The ones I know who wanted to come back to Korea and stay for awhile did so for the same reason others from Europe or america wanted to stay in Korea long term....

Korea can be really fun and a easy place to live if you have a good social scene and easy, good paying gigs like me and my friends.

Not every Korean is working 8-7 and drinking soju with lame co-workers every night....

Likewise, my friends who speak of the daily work grind in America are reluctant to rush back even though they like the place.

[NaD00D00]

[pkang0202]

Hmmm.... Let me think about this:

USA:
40 hour work week
Good wages
Buy a house with only 10% down payment
Can live in a HOUSE with a YARD.
Kids can get into Tier 1 University with 3.0 or better GPA

Korea:
60 hour work week, no overtime
Paid a LOT less than the same job in the USA
Can pay insane money for an APARTMENT.
Kids can MAYBE get into SKY with straight A's and 12 years of hagwon hell.

Hmm...That's a toughy. I can't figure out why Koreans don't want to live in Korea.



As for as Koreans not wanting to contribute to Korea:

Koreans in Korea don't care for it. I know a LOT of Gyopos who would love to come to Korea and practice medicine, do research, and contribute to country.

Koreans don't care for them. Why? They didn't go to Seoul U., Yonsei, or Korea University.

[Sleepy in Seoul]

No, however I know a lot of Koreans who went overseas but not to Europe or North America.

[Privateer]

[misher]

A few of my students said the other day that Korea would be a great place and they would never dream about leaving but only if they were super rich. If you are in the upper echelon of the upper class here you practically own the place because of connections. When you go to Canada or the USA you are just another immigrant with some bucks and you don't get people bowing down.

I know a few Koreans that lived in Canada for 3+ years and returned. THeir lives are quite comfy though and they are of course from elite families.

They could live wherever they want to but do they? no. They know they have a pretty good deal at home. Korean society isn't really all that fair (pretty much all societies aren't but some more than others)and they are on the good end of the deal and they know it. SO not all Koreans dream of getting out and the ones that do, aren't necessarily rich.

[hagwonnewbie]

I was referring to adults that have lived abroad. In terms of life experience, most Korean university student are hardly adults.

I do know a lot of young Koreans who lived with their relatives in LA for a while and were happy to return to Korea after seeing Koreatown. I would probably feel the same way.

[Privateer]

[alistaircandlin]

Yeah my wife has now been in England for two years and wants to go back to Korea.

Me too actually (although I'm British, not Korean). We both want to go back because we can earn more money in Korea and because of the attraction of living in a big city. (In England we are in a small provincial town).

I think every country has its pros and cons. As my wife is reminding me right now - Korean food is better than English food, which I have to agree with. Certainly we cannot afford to eat out three or four times a week in the UK.

The things we will miss about England when we return to Seoul this summer are: the open space, the greenery, the clean air, the BBC, Guiness, cheese and libraries.

The things I'm looking forward to when returning to Seoul are: the metropolis; the range of different places to eat (ok - so food is a big deal to me); the ability to save money; the fact that I am living somewhere else I always felt that life was an adventure in Korea whereas here, I am just here; the free time I will have compared to working as a teacher in the UK - I'll be able to read widely and spend time writing; the opportunity to study Korean culture, history and language.

Sorry - I've gone off topic - this thread is about Koreans that miss Korea. OK then, here's what my wife is looking forward to, and I quote: "eating out more often; convenient transportation; the tax is lower; more chance to save money; people respect my ability in English in Korea but here even beggars can speak English; I can get a good job because of my English ability; you can find a cheap place to stay when you travel - minbaks etc; you can shop until late; family and friends; people are kind; you don't have to worry about communication skills."

Ok admittedly most of these are about money. Hmm.... actually my wife has also said that if it was cheaper and she could get a decent job she would stay in England.

But like I said - i think there are pros and cons of both places - personally I'm ready to come back to Daehanminguk! my life was certainly easier and less stressful in Korea.

[Jeonmunka]

[jd126]

The one that comes to mind is a Korean woman whom I thought was rather strange. Met her once in Seoul. She had lived in France for five years and loved it. For some reason she was back in Korea though. She asked me, "How can you live in Korea?" She really looked down on her home country and couldn't wait to get back to France; guess she spoke French pretty well.

[Katty89]

I meet mostly Korean university students on a working holiday here in Canada, but only 1 person has ever decided to stay permanently on their own. It is different since most of them have no experience of working in Korea at all, but still, very few even want to come back to study after finishing their studies in Korea and working for a while.
I met my boyfriend this way and he refuses to stay here. He wants to work in advertising and no matter how much he studies English, he doesn't think he'll ever be good enough to be able to excel in that field here and also doesn't want to have to start school over from the beginning since a Korean degree won't be accepted here.

[bucheon bum]

[Mariella713]

I had 3 close Korean friends back in London - all of who had lived in Korea for at least 20 years of their lives before they moved. I asked them if they wanted to go back and they all said no. I asked why. I got vague answers, but the main thing they said was "I am happy here". 1 of them even said she had no intention of ever going back to Korea...not even for a brief visit.