Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sireno]

Hello - I am seeking some advice from people here. My situation is that I am new to Korea as of two months ago and have been working for a new hagwon. Some things about the job are good, and others are bad. Much of my stress and unhappiness is related to this place being new, and also the it is the first time I am working full time consistently.

Classes are okay, life is fine.., however my days are spent longing for the weekends and free time. I remember life when I had free time and things weren't so monotonous. I foresee myself enrolling in a Korean language program and working part time. Is this possible?

I am thinking about quitting and trying to work part time or perhaps at a public or after school position. Is this feasible? If so, how would it be done?

Should I just buck up and deal with a full time work life? Or should I have initiative and change things in order to be happier with life?

Any experiences or thoughts? Thanks in advance from an inexperienced person living in a strange place.

[Hotpants]

I remember my first year of EFL teaching, which was also my first full-year of work after uni. I really struggled to make it, and at around the 7 month point, seriously wondered if I could continue. I perservered, and completed my 12 month contract. Looking back, I am really glad I did it, otherwise I don't think I would have had the confidence to continue teaching.

I think the first year of teaching is the hardest. After that, I found I could start to pick and choose my jobs, and I have never had such a hard teaching gig as my first year since then.

I think a lot of us would like to work part-time and study Korean; however, the hours for study vs. work conflict with the requirements for an E2 vs D2 visa - i.e. you can generally only do one or the other. 'Part-time' hours are only really possible once you get into a uni gig, and the only way to getting into a uni is to work your way up the ladder like most of us in unis have done.

I'd say stick your contract out, find ways to get enjoyment and development opportunities from it, and then move on.

[Hotpants]

sorry - just noticed this thread has a double post

[waynehead]

A lot of us have been there. It sounds like it's hitting you a little early, and of course every situation is unique, but it's more common for the newness to wear off around the 4-6 month mark and the dreariness to settle in. That's what happened with me in my first contract, and it's happened to others I know. Like you, I was contemplating leaving early, and like the previous poster, I stuck it out and am glad I did. My advice is to just avoid doing something rash, wait a while and give it serious thought before you leave (if you decide to).

[Carla]

As the previous posters said, you can't really work and study full time at the same time. You could change to a student visa, but those don't allow you to work at all. Changing your job is just going to make you do the visa thing again, and it's not worth the hassle.

I understand it's tough adjusting to working full time, but just remember, changing jobs is going to put you pretty much in the same position.

Perhaps you can do something during the week that will help stave off the boredom. Are you friends with any of the other teachers? Every once in a while when I get bored, me and my friend go out and do something. My options are more limited because I work until 8pm, but it's nice.

Think of it this way. It's like jumping in the pool. The water is cold when you first jump in, but if you just get it over with, you're having fun in no time. If you try to ease you way in, then you're going to suffer longer.

I hope it works out for you. Just stick it out. Once you get used to it, it's much better.

[Radius]

uhh, welcome to adult life?

[WadRUG'naDoo]

I find, and found, time flies by. Especially in hagwon-type jobs.

Try digging ditches and see how you like that.

[oldfatfarang]

Chin up OP. It's called Culture Shock (and probably In The Work Force Shock, and Home sickness too).

If it's any consolation, I've been travelling for years in many countries (and working in Korea on and off for nearly 5 years), and there isn't a day goes by that I don't have some pangs of homesickness - or longing for something familiar. Nothing wrong with how you're feeling, it just means you're normal.

Give it a bit more time, try to keep busy in your free time. Heaps of things to do if you look for them: hiking, photography, running, sight seeing, making new friends etc. In fact, you can't have too many friends in Korea, because many people only stay for a short time - so you have to keep replacing them.

Are you in a city, or a small town? Is there a foreigner bar anywhere near you? If you post your town/city, I'm sure someone can give you directions to where you can meet people.

Give it time (and keep busy).

Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Tbizz]

Hey Sireno,

I know exactly how you feel. Just graduated undergrad. Was not expecting this. Do you live in Seoul? If you do, consider yourself real lucky. At the end of the day it's all hard, no matter where you are but if you have places to go and people to see when you walk out of your apartment, you're lucky.

I've been here 2 months as well and contemplate leaving/transferring everyday. Anyway, if you ever want to talk, PM me your email. I don't have 25+ posts yet. It would be great to talk to someone in a similar situation. Everyone here seems to loooooooove Korea :/.

[sluggo832004]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[southernman]

[PRagic]

It's transitional, both in terms of lifestyle and cultural adjustments. Getting used to your first full-time job after university is an effort no matter where you are. Stirring monster cultural differences and the associated culture shock into the stew just makes it tougher.

If you're getting paid on time and your living conditions suffice, stick it out by all means. You'll feel better after your first contract is finished and you'll know a lot more about the local culture and job market.

Found your post interesting. I was in the Army before becoming a teacher, so I coasted through most days, the culture shock we minimal, and I thought I had all the freedom in the world!

[DosEquisXX]

[Kaypea]