Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RobertX]

I,ve been here 13 years. I went through my bitter phase years 4-8. I like it here now and wouldn't move back to Canada if I were offered the same pay I am getting here now.

Some long time foreign teachers here are bitter and some arent. But I am willing to bet if there is a bitter foreign teacher out there (long timer or not) they will be posting on this site. No matter what the topic/thread you always get at least 50% of the posters saying the nastiest thing possible. I have pretty much given up on this site because there are so many bitter, angry and mean Dave's posters.

[Ice Tea]

I've been here 4 years. I hated my first year and wanted to leave 4 months in. I had a few bad schools. Never got my pension money, changing contracts. Then I got married, got an F-4, things got better. I could walk from a bad job if I had to, and I did. I'm happy now. The F2 makes living here a lot easier. My attitude changed as well. I avoid thinking about Korea as much as possible, that just leads to stress. I'm just here to make money. It's not my country. I'm not Korean. I'm Canadian. Inside my apartment is sovereign Canadian territory. Bacon and eggs for breakfast. Aside my wife and her family, I don't have Korean friends and I don't want any. We're not going to change Koreans. They don't want to be changed. So I've removed myself from it as much as possible. Yeah it pisses me off when they use the lower tense to speak to me. But the same ignorance that leads to that also says we need to pay a white skinned foreigner an enormous salary to teach our children. So I don't question it. I don't want to be here forever. I love home. But money rules all. Until I can make what I make here back home, I'm not going home. End of story.

[allovertheplace]

One reason the bitterness might exists is because 99.9% of long timers have given up on there employment dreams. Teaching is one thing, ESL is another. I dont care how much you make, how many hours you work, how many vaca days you get, etc. You are teaching someone something most anyone else you grew up with can. Its a cool gig but long timers have made it a career and as such have given up on there career choices. Not throwing any stones because its far more interesting than flipping burgers and I love(d) it.

I talked to plenty of folks who want to be uni profs, or work for the dept of state, or UN, etc...those goals lead to more optimism. I also talked to plenty of folks, and plenty of posters, who only go on about how much they make or how they now have a house. People with jobs they love don't talk about money or houses because they have a career that stimulates them.

[sirius black]

[lawyertood]

Iced Tea--perhaps it would be more accurate to say if you could save as much from your earnings back home.

For me 14+ years, uni job so I'm not so bitter. I like most aspects of my job. The vacations help because it gives me a chance to get out and "cleanse my palete'' so to speak and not let cultural related stress build up. Of course, my life isn't perfect, but whose is?

I feel those, long or short-timers, would be just as bitter back home, perhaps for different reasons.

[vermouth]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[southernman]

I've only been here 3.5 years, recently I've just met up with two of my longest friends in Korea. I've been here slightly longer than them and they've both mellowed since they've been here.

We are all on E2 Visas but even on those you progress and get better jobs with experience.

The old timers that I've met who have been here longer than me are well entrenced and happy, their lives are sorted, apart from one that I can think off. I never talk to him, in life you stay away from negative people, they are a waste of time to be around and are going nowhere.

They would be the same and have the same attitude in their own country. It's a very basic rule of life, avoid negative people and negative influences and your life will be much better

[Paddycakes]

[rollo]

Are you hung up on white people. Like do you belong to a group that promotes white rights. I dont know about many of your assumptions.

I think you are a little misinformed or do not know many long timers. I know two who own hagwons. Another who works for the Busan city government. they started out as teachers but wit and grit worked for them. The whiners are often just blowing off steam and are actually fairly content. Easy work, good location for travel. A buddy of mine works at a uni, next year he will have the cash saved up to open a business in Thailand. He has it lined up. Not bad for someone stuck in korea. Korea is Korea. those who think it needs major changes are those who have trouble adapting abroad. It isn't for everyone.

[Harpeau]

I myself work as a counselor. There are another dozen or so around town as well. There are coaches, business people working with many different things. People with F2/F4 & F5 VISAs are becoming very creative. I think that it's a really exciting time to be living here!

[Cedar]

[fusionbarnone]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[allovertheplace]