Korean Job Discussion Forums

[patapata]

I haven't been here long, but I already see the potential for an unhealthy lifestyle developing over the next several months. Here's why:

Work: The work environment is terrible, everyone is disgruntled and angry because of a number of situations that happened before I came. I want to put more effort into lessons but with seven and eight to teach a day, it's nearly impossible. There's more. Sure, money can be saved as a stepping stone, but it is just not worth this low quality atmosphere in the long term.

Social: I'm in an isolating small town...I thrive on diverse environments with plenty of cultural/artistic events...this is a very homogeneous, conservative, "sporty" town (of course, I knew that about the local environment, but the foreign community is like this as well). Most people fit into several, if not all, of these: early/mid 20s, first time abroad, very limited exposure to other cultures, conservative, male, athletic-type, drinking massive amounts of soju=hobby...which is awesome, by all means, life is short and I'm glad to see more and more younger people are taking the chance to try something like this...but it makes my own search for friends all the more difficult. And then, even among the folks more around my age and older with similar interests it tends to be very cliquey.

Cultural: With all due respect to the folks who sneer and jeer at anyone who isn't *fascinated* by Korean language and throwing their all into learning it, I can't say that I want to spend too much of my limited time and energy on studying Korean. Learning enough spoken Korean to be respectful in basic situations and hangul to be able to get around is one thing, but due to the length of time that I plan to be here, I'd rather spend more time studying languages I already know (and will more likely be using in the future). I am more open to learning about *culture* than I am to starting from square one with another language...I could make a whole 'nother post on how snobby people get when it comes to language learning and why don't foreigners learn x, y, z (not just in Korea, but almost everywhere)...yet those who do usually have a very good reason, such as it being their heritage or marrying into the culture.

Pain=Love: This really belongs to cultural, but one thing that I really can't get over is the violence/infliction of physical pain that goes on here. Yes, we can certainly start a discussion about how no society/culture is free of this and this is just one manifestation of it, but...for me, personally, I can't really get used to the constant hitting, punching, beating, corporal punishment for students=love, etc.

Of course, it's not all doom and gloom. Some positives include: no commute, no early starting days (I tend to be more energetic in the afternoons/evenings), low cost spa-ing (jimjilbangs), interesting food, and the potential to really prepare for a major "next step" if I play my cards right (due to time, savings, etc.).

So, what would you do to survive 1) on a daily basis at work, 2) on weekends, and 3) in general? Hobbies that I can work on during "breaks" so I don't have to listen to so-and-sos latest angry rant or what's-his-face macking on all the Korean teachers? I want to join groups and find at least one thing to really throw myself into...I mean, get so involved in this thing that my time here will fly by...but most opportunities are in Seoul and I really need to find something I can work on just as easily at home alone or during breaks as I can on the occasional weekend when groups meet up.

Finally, can anyone (particularly Koreans/-gyopos/those with Korean gfs/bfs) help me understand pain=love?

[Louis VI]

You express yourself clearly with thoughtful reflection and honesty.

(The trolls will eat you alive!)

[enerjohn]

Draw, write, get a library card, work out.

[Steve_Rogers2008]

sounds like a 309.9... get your notes from Intro to Psychology for that....


go out and make a friend or two that you trust a bit. the OP sounds like someone who overthinks things.... sometimes ya just gotta jump in the pool and see what's up. if there's someone in there to play with, so much the better.


the saying Koreans are fond of from the West the most seems to be, 'when in Rome...'

[oldtactics]

You need to make some Korean friends.

[AsiaESLbound]

You are feeling the effects from living in an ultra conservative culture mostly closed minded on a local level. I find an awkward unwelcome, but the purpose of teaching English is because the government initiated the trend to give the kids the skills to be global citizens for increased economic opportunities in doing business with the West. Koreans often see it as only them making a huge sacrifice by taking on English education and teachers, but don't realize the challenges and sacrifices foreign teachers endure, because it presents a serious embarrassment or loss of face for them. Because of this, it's unfortunately not a warm and friendly cultural exchange though some of you may be having a great time, because there are a few very friendly and open minded co-teachers and other Koreans out there.

I'll second the idea of needing to make Korean friends as tough as that seems. It's hard to impossible to get many to open up, talk real thoughts, and cooperate with some level of honesty instead of lies to cover up any embarrassing short comings they'd rather not talk to you about even if it's just something like a last minute change. It's tough and frustrating when you are working with someone close minded, conflicts your every effort you make, criticizes you in front of students, and chews you out for not doing small minor things you honestly couldn't have known to do and when to do it; all while so very few Koreans want anything to do with you outside of work. I'm not afraid to let co-teachers and boss's know what is going right and wrong and what we can do to improve our working situation. I think it's probably really fun to teach in Korea if you are in a good work environment. Otherwise, it's a buckle down to the grind situation if you want to go with it.

I wish more were open minded enough to live and learn from our mistakes and work to improve upon them instead of just letting the same failures perpetually occur. All the same problems go on today complained about in many old threads and blogs. While we are watched, few listen and add 1+1 to make 2, because they decide they are going to do it completely their way which often doesn't work in a situation involving foreigners leading to disappointments and conflicts. Unfortunately there are many teachers, both Korean and foreign, who personally don't believe in Westernization, English EDU, and foreigners residing in Korea, but do it, because it's a job. In any cultural exchange it's necessary for both parties to make sacrifices and communicate with an intent to be honest to the situation.

[kimdeal54]

[jvalmer]

[Junior]

[patapata]

Yeah, making friends takes a combination of luck, timing (right place, right mood), and effort. It's not like I just sit around every weekend and don't try to meet people, just that none have really become 'friends' yet. It takes time.

Also, it's not that I don't have Korean friends at all-- the ones I do have are somewhat far away, though, and/or too busy to really meet up and hang out often.

Anyway, sure, I think friends will make the weekends easier from time to time, but what about the day to day of being in a sticky work environment? How do those of you out there who are in...let's call them "challenging" work situations...cope?

[nathanrutledge]

[enerjohn]

[PatrickGHBusan]

Here goes OP...

[cassimira]

just out of curiosity, OP, what general area are you located in? Might be easier to give you advice on activities if we know what's near you.

[patapata]

To answer your question, PatrickGHBusan, I enjoy teaching, but the system here (and a number of other places as well) makes it more difficult to enjoy. I'm a big believer in moderation and quality-over-quantity...and it seems like I'm in the wrong place for such beliefs...It's one of the big questions I have re: pursuing teaching more seriously (getting certified, etc.): do I have the energy to keep doing this job? How much longer can I keep up with what's generally expected? I think I would really love part-time teaching, but then there are financial issues with that, unless I had another source of income.

Btw, I've found that the transient nature of friends is not limited to living abroad. People everywhere these days seem to be more on the move than in the past, from the more frequent job changes to friends who get married and sometimes just become more distant even if they're in the same city. Sure, the pool of potential friends is smaller abroad, but in my experience, there are other places where foreigners are much more of a community that looks out for each other in a way that we don't here in Korea. Is it because we have too many runners, crazies, and other weird experiences (there's even a whole thread on Dave's devoted to it)? The community is more transient than in other places as well. People I meet often consider themselves non-newbies if they've been here for 6 months to a year.

Speaking of which, I am still too much of a noob for PM capabilities... otherwise, I'd give more specific details re: location, the issues on the job, past experiences, etc.