Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bluebear847]

Hi,

I am hoping to get in contact with any female or Korean American teachers that can help convince my parents Korea is safe and teaching is not horrible. You can either message me or post in this topic about your experiences or even how you convinced your parents in letting you go to Korea. My parents are just the typical Asian parents that are super strict and don't understand the concept of traveling and stuff after graduating college and just want me to go to graduate school directly. I'm only 22 though and still not quite sure what I want do with my life which is why I want to travel and experience to get more of an idea. FYI my mom and dad immigrated to the US more than 30 years ago, and we have only been back to Korea once about 10 years ago for 2 weeks so my mom's concept of Korea I think is more 30 years ago which makes it harder.

Please anybody HELP!!!

[rumdiary]

You're 22 and need help getting your parents permission? Your parents are probably right. This would be too much for you to handle. What are you going to do when your boss tells you to come in on Saturday even though your contract says you don't have to?

Screw it. That's bad advice. You need this experience. Give your parents the bird and hop on a plane. And remember that if you go home early they will be waiting at the airport saying, "I told you so," and you will never, ever, ever, grow up.

[methdxman]

[hondaicivic]

[legrande]

Tell them you want to learn more about your background, and that there's no more amenable place for a gyopo gal to learn some survival skills, while at the same time finding out why her parents are so anal, and how good Japanese radiation can feel on one's bare skin

[hellofaniceguy]

While I can understand the parents' concerns...I question the maturity of a 22 year old...."needing" the parents "ok".....
Live life as you want to...enjoy it...life is short as it is....and in the end...nothing matters anyway.....

[sallymonster]

My parents are also controlling and co-dependent. They and I had a huge fight when I broke the news to them that I was coming to Korea.

OP, the key is to finance your trip to Korea on you own without your parents' help. That means paying for your own visa documents, flight (if you're going to work at public school), and startup living costs. I used a combination of tax refund, unemployment checks (I'd been laid off from a previous job), and working temporarily for the US Census, to fund my move to Korea.

Once you have enough of your own money and your documents ready to go, contact recruiters, find a yourself a decent job, get your visa, and get on the plane. There's nothing your parents can do to stop you if you're paying your own way, and they'll get over it anyway. Though after you get here you should expect some annoying whining from your parents every time Kim Jeong Il is in the news

[bluebear847]

Thanks sallymonster for your input that is exactly what I am doing right now and saving up for my trip to Korea on my own and everything as well as getting all my paperwork together.

As for some of the other questions...my Mom lived and grew up in Seoul but left when she was a teen, my dad is actually a Korean born and raised in Japan so he has never really lived in Korea. And like some people said I think it is more of the idea of a young female going by herself to a different country etc that is worrying my parents. I'm actually looking in positions around Ilsan, Seoul, and Bundang.

Now for some of the people talking about my maturity level because I want the okay from my parents because of my age, well first of all I do not think it is immature for me to have the support of my parents in what I do. Second of all you don't know what my family situation is and why I would want their blessing, third of all I'm just asking for help to put them more at ease about the idea. I did not say I'm going to give up completely or put my life on hold because they say no, I would just like to make the situation easier for them and myself.

[nero]

[Caffeinated]

In the subways, don't get into shouting matches with ajummas or fall asleep beside an ajosshi.

[Jeunesse]

I've taught here for 2 years, am a 24-year-old female, and have had nothing but a safe and pleasant experience. Korea is a 1st world country and petty crime is far lower than it is back home. As for potential issues at your workplace, it's on you to do due diligence and speak to the teacher you would be replacing - this is the only way you can get an honest low-down about what the deal is at your school. Be polite, but firm when asking questions about health insurance, severance pay, and vacation time during the interview. You'll be fine.

This might be a good learning experience for you. You're a college graduate and an adult - you don't need your parents' "permission" to do anything, and frankly, the idea that your parents have to "let you" do something at age 22 is a bit absurd. It sounds like they will be dead-set against you going no matter what - so just go, and establish a healthier relationship with strong boundaries. When they see that the sky has not fallen and you are doing well in their former country, perhaps they will re-evaluate cutting the cord.

[conrad2]

I have known many female teachers here in Korea who were attacked, raped, molested,and/or beaten by the local men.

[sadguy]

i'm asian american with strict asian parents. they didn't let me do anything when i was growing up. at age 20, i got an apartment, packed my bags, and told them last minute. they couldn't stop me. they were pissed as hell but learned to accept it.

i don't think you should ask your parents. if this is something you really want, then you should just tell them what you're doing. they will accept it and still love you just the same. they just want to control you, as most traditional asian parents want to do.

i used to think seoul was safe, safer than america. but after talking to the females here, and the local females, a lot of them have some weird stories. guys following them, taxi drivers taking them somewhere dark and remote, old guys flashing them.

if you do come here, my advice would be "don't let your guard down" just because you think seoul is safer than the rest of the world. it might be safer in regards to petty theft muggings and murder, but as far as sex crimes go, i've heard more stories about sex crimes from people i know than i did in america.

[myenglishisno]

[Steelrails]

Yes, mom and dad are always retards and 22 year olds know everything and should be allowed to throw smack in their veins no matter what mommy and daddy think.

Look, just because someone adopts a more conservative lifestyle doesn't make them immature or mean they have bad values.

Not every person who tells mom and dad to kiss their butt is demonstrating maturity and sound decision making, and not everyone who seeks their parents permission is lacking said qualities.

Mommy and daddy shouldn't hold your hand, but at the same time you should at least listen to what they have to say and strongly consider it.

That being said I think we can agree that the parents are not exactly up to date with how Korea is or what is going on and that the OP needs to be somewhat more assertive.

But the solution to the problem is NOT telling mom and dad to take a hike. There are ways for the OP to go to Korea in spite of her parent's objections while still maintaining good relations.

I am baffled by people suggesting that the "mature" course is tell your parents to buzz off. That's what a child who is throwing a temper tantrum does.

Maturity is not found in being independent from your parents. Maturity is being able to follow your own path while possessing the humility and wisdom to listen to advice from your parents and elders and to have the guts to admit that they are right sometimes.