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Corporal
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:56 am Post subject: Your coworkers? |
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I was reading khyber's roommate story and got to wondering. How many coworkers (foreign) do you have?
Do you like them?
What are they like? |
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Derrek
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 3:57 am Post subject: |
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The only roommates I have, thank goodness, are the ones that crash with me here once and a while.
I'd never accept a job with a roommate. Sad to say, if you are from a North American country and white, you shouldn't have to accept this either. Not sure I can say that about those who are from other countries, but chances are, you don't have to have a roommate either. Can't be sure, though. |
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ajuma
Joined: 18 Feb 2003
Location: Anywere but Seoul!!
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:50 am Post subject: |
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12 co-workers...thank heavens I share an office with the person I do! Some are SUPER strange!! (2 alcoholics, 1 who's English even I can't understand, one so cheap he doesn't even plug in his fridge!, and one who looks like a homeless guy...even in a suit!). But...in spite of the weirdness, most of them are GREAT teachers and really care about the students. Guess we all can't be perfect!  |
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cladner
Joined: 29 May 2003
Location: Barrie, ON
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:51 am Post subject: Roommates |
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I hate having roommates... and one I absolutely have no respect for or anything but disgust for. He tells lies and I have never seen a bigger brown noser in all my life, not in any job, and I worked 2 or 3 jobs during school if that gives you a hint. His first lie was that he was shot in Afghanistan... so you can just imagine...
I wouldn't accept a position with roommates, I am giving you the best advice here, you will work and live with the same people and although I get along with one of my roommates, it is because we actually respect each others privacy, and are honest to each other. |
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the_beaver
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:57 am Post subject: |
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24 co-workers or so. A few more including staff.
Most are okay. |
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Toby
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: Wedded Bliss
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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2 co-workers. One Candian and one Brit - both female. Couldn't be happier really as there aren't enough of us to have any work secrets or any 'foreign' politics going on. Plus we all move in different social circles which makes it better.
Used to have 14 in my first school. Good fun, but someone was always upset with someone else. |
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peppergirl
Joined: 07 Dec 2003
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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| ajuma wrote: |
1 who's English even I can't understand, guy...
But...in spite of the weirdness, most of them are GREAT teachers and really care about the students. Guess we all can't be perfect! |
How can the guy whose English you can't understand be a great teacher?? |
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baldrick
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: Location, Location
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Sounds like its just me stuck in a small town with NO co-workers in site! I don't care how much bitchin is going on, gimmie some of that!!! |
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crazylemongirl
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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I'm in an all korean work place. Most are adjumas but nice. One is very young and she is studying for her MA in english education and is really cool.
I thought I was getting a single, but my temp room mate is brilliant, she is almost as messy as me though. |
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fidel
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Location: North Shore NZ
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Sad to say, if you are from a North American country and white, you shouldn't have to accept this either. Not sure I can say that about those who are from other countries, but chances are, you don't have to have a roommate either. Can't be sure, though. |
Derrick, you really do come out with some shite. As much as you think that you are somehow more fortunate than others because of your nationality, it's your ability as a teacher, and your personality that determines whether or not you get employed for a 'top position'.
Remember you don't have to accept anything you don't want to, unless of course your desperate or don't give a toss.
I had roommates in my first year because I didn't give a toss. At that stage I was unaware of the freaks that choose Korea as a temporary home.
One Canadian roommate was deaf in one ear and not so good in the other. He used to drive me nuts by picking up the phone and having a one-sided conversation that went something like this...
" Hello is Dave there?"
Dom "hello?"
"Yeah hi, is Dave there?"
Dom "Hello, is anyone there?
"I'm sorry we must have a bad connection. Is Dave home?"
Dom "No thank you, I already have a job."
"What? I want to speak to Dave please."
Dom "Heloooooooo is anyone there?"
These would go on for at least five minutes until either the other person hung up or I intervened.
Another American roommate shut himself in his room from the day he moved in until 7 weeks later when he moved out after being fired for basically being a wierd son of a bitch.
The moral of the story is that's it's best to avoid roommates be you 'North American, white, black or whatever' unless of course you don't give a toss. |
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:49 am Post subject: |
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| Got one other foreign co-worker, and a new one coming soon. We get along OK but we're not really fond of each other, just different or not really compatible. But as the only native speakers at the academy we are cordial and chat a bit. He's new to Korea. I think he's having trouble adjusting. I think he's a bit surprised that the kids, well almost everybody actually, has so much trouble understanding English. When the employer or recruiter wants to attract you to come all the over to Korea, they don't mention that there will be very few foreigners of any sort, and that very few koreans can hold a conversation in English. I think this must disappoint some people. It can be hard to adjust to. I think he wanted to actually teach English Literature in a US high school or college, not spend all day with, "There is an apple on the desk," type of English, and (by the way) "teacher, deskuh, spelling?" That wears me down at times too. Especially when you do actually like to use your language sometimes! Also he isn't a drinker, so doesn't go out to clubs, though he does go to church. And he likes to ride his bike. He brought over a dandy bike from the US, and bought a cheap one here. But further disappoint hit him to find biking a hard thing to do around here. I guess one needs to find out the deal before getting on that plane! Ah well one year and some savings ain't so bad. |
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Homer
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:57 am Post subject: |
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16 korean co-workers
8 westerners
Most are pretty cool people.
Out of 18 koreans 2 freaks
Out of 8 westerners 3 freaks
Such is life. |
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Dawn
Joined: 06 Mar 2004
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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0 roommates (three bedrooms to myself -- yay!).
2 Korean co-workers, both super.
3 foreign co-workers (one at a time) since I started. Best was top-notch -- all-around great guy who started teaching eight months before I started kindergarten and who's lived/worked all over the world in the 20-something years since. Others two were both hard workers with English degrees and prior teaching experience, so still a few cuts above the industry average.
Last edited by Dawn on Mon Apr 05, 2004 3:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Derrek
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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| fidel wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Sad to say, if you are from a North American country and white, you shouldn't have to accept this either. Not sure I can say that about those who are from other countries, but chances are, you don't have to have a roommate either. Can't be sure, though. |
Derrick, you really do come out with some *beep*. As much as you think that you are somehow more fortunate than others because of your nationality, it's your ability as a teacher, and your personality that determines whether or not you get employed for a 'top position'.
Remember you don't have to accept anything you don't want to, unless of course your desperate or don't give a toss.
I had roommates in my first year because I didn't give a toss. At that stage I was unaware of the freaks that choose Korea as a temporary home.
One Canadian roommate was deaf in one ear and not so good in the other. He used to drive me nuts by picking up the phone and having a one-sided conversation that went something like this...
" Hello is Dave there?"
Dom "hello?"
"Yeah hi, is Dave there?"
Dom "Hello, is anyone there?
"I'm sorry we must have a bad connection. Is Dave home?"
Dom "No thank you, I already have a job."
"What? I want to speak to Dave please."
Dom "Heloooooooo is anyone there?"
These would go on for at least five minutes until either the other person hung up or I intervened.
Another American roommate shut himself in his room from the day he moved in until 7 weeks later when he moved out after being fired for basically being a wierd son of a *beep*.
The moral of the story is that's it's best to avoid roommates be you 'North American, white, black or whatever' unless of course you don't give a toss. |
Honestly, we'd all like to think that getting a job in Korea is all based on qualifications, but when it comes down to it, many hagwons would rather hire the American or Canadian white woman/man who has a BA over a South African or Kiwi with an MA and teaching credentials.
Especially when the MA is crying for top salary. (or in this discussion case -- a job without a roommate).
I didn't say it was right... just saying it's fact here in Korea. Sad as it is.
Sorry I hurt your feelings. |
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lush72
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: I am Penalty Kick!
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| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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0 "roommates"
23 Korean co-workers (in my team)
0 (barring me of course) westerners in my team, 20 or so in the building
Most are pretty cool people.
Out of 23 Koreans 6 freaks
Out of 20ish westerners 19 freaks
Such is life. |
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