Korean Job Discussion Forums

myenglishisno · Joined: 08 Mar 2011 Location: Geumchon

I personally don't think it matters. If you like it here, then there is nothing wrong with staying as long as you want. If you don't, then leave.

I've noticed that amongst foreigners and Koreans though, that once you get past the three year mark people start treating you different. Foreigners think it's weird and that you, by extension, are weird and Koreans think you're pretty much integreted and wonder why you've decided to stay (unless your married which should deflect some criticism from both groups).

What say you, how long do you think is too long? When does it get weird?

hondaicivic · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Location: Daegu, South Korea

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

I would vote for between 6-10 as I have found it a little more difficult in that period. New foriegners seem to look as if you are a freak if you are here and not married to a Korean.

Though I found also that in my 4th year, people seemed to notice it more that I wasn't a one year teaching accessory and would make comments.

I am reaching the point that I have almost been here longer than most teachers I meet and its kind of amusing at times to have a foriegner talk down to you as they think you are a noob and they have been in Korea for "gasp" 3-4 yrs, then you drop a couple of facts and they realise that you have been in Korea longer than them. Smile

Though I find that I dont really discuss how long I have been in Korea unless I am discussing something pertinent to it or just to drop someone in it if they are talking down to me because they have been in korea for more than 2 yrs.

I do like talking to those who have been in Korea for as long as me or longer as most conversations dont cover the basics about Korea. Also those who have been in Korea a while can also help you out with ideas without talking to you like they are some how superior because they left Uni last summer.

Though thats just my experience, others will definitely have different ones.

Zutronius · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Location: Suncheon

I'm on my third year and I can't wait to leave (39 days). I think it all depends on the school and location. I tried a new school for my 3rd and now I can't wait to leave it behind.

sallymonster · Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Location: Seattle area

I won't stay for more than 3 years, and I might leave after 2. I like living in Korea, but I want to eventually start a career in the US, and if I wait too long it'll be too late. I don't want a career in teaching. I want to become an activities coordinator and/or event planner, a hobby I actually picked up here in Korea (I'm the organizer of a Meetup group in Seoul). But I can't have that career here in Korea.

Of course, I'm very afraid that I won't make it into my chosen career field. I don't have connections in the event planning business, and connections are so vital these days. Older foreigners in Korea tell me I should start making connections here and enrolling in a distance MATESOL course because the US economy may never improve. It's quite possible that they're right and I may never have the standard of living in the US that I have in Korea; one of the reasons that I came here was because I'm unemployable in the US. So who knows, after attempting to live in the US for awhile I may end up back in Korea.

BoholDiver · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Location: Canada

I think my attitude for the worse after 5 years. Even as my personal life got better, I felt less and less happy. My pay was going up, I got married and had a kid. I should be happy.

For about 2 years I still felt like I wanted to see more parts of this country and hang out in Seoul or other places. After about 5 years, I avoided going out as much as I could.

8 more days in this country.

BoholDiver · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Location: Canada

I think my attitude for the worse after 5 years. Even as my personal life got better, I felt less and less happy. My pay was going up, I got married and had a kid. I should be happy.

For about 2 years I still felt like I wanted to see more parts of this country and hang out in Seoul or other places. After about 5 years, I avoided going out as much as I could.

8 more days in this country.

kenglish · Joined: 10 Mar 2011

lol i like how the votes are evenly distributed between 1,3, and 6-10 years. that says to me there are about equal number of people who hate it, like it, and love it. another attempt at demography proven pointless just as it is to actually plan your visa extension on such a data.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Please define what 'too many' in the title means. Too many years for what?

I've been here about 14 years. I'll stay as long as I enjoy my students and my life. You have to work somewhere. When the negatives outweigh the positives I'll pack up and go. Beyond that, length isn't an issue.

hondaicivic · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Location: Daegu, South Korea

oldtactics · Joined: 18 Oct 2008

Most of the friends I've made since I moved down south are long-term expats who have been here for 6+ years, some over 10, and they're happier than anyone else I know in the country. If you have a solid network of good friends & interesting activities, a uni job in Korea could be a long term prospect for sure. It's certainly becoming one for me.

West Coast Tatterdemalion · Joined: 31 Aug 2010

Who cares? Work is work. Doesn't matter where you do it. You could be working for 10 years in a place like Cleveland, Ohio. I'm sure if there were a Cleveland board, there are posters saying, "Man, I can't believe that I've been working in Cleveland, Ohio for 10 years. I gotta get out." I think I would take Korea over Cleveland. The point is that work is work and geography doesn't have anything to do with it. At least Korea is in Asia and you can say that you've worked in Asia for 10 years. Cleveland is in the midwest. Whooptie freaking do.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

allovertheplace · Joined: 02 Aug 2009

Well said Bucheon.

If ESL aint what you want then a time limit should be adhered to. Opportunity costs! Every year in korea is minus one year somewhere else. Thus, if you spend 1, 2, 3, 4, etc too many years here is makes it 1x, 2x, 3x, 4xs harder back home.

A one year gap in employment to teach is ok, 2 is sketchy, 3 is getting old, and 4...well best of luck. If you want to keep teaching then this doesnt apply to you, but for those who are only making money....keep this in mind Twisted Evil

Thus I say 3 is borderline. 3 years is piss or get off the pot time for me.

myenglishisno · Joined: 08 Mar 2011 Location: Geumchon

Lots of varying opinions here.

In my case, I don't have a BEd but I would like to get one down the road and become a career teacher (I just have to pay off my undergraduate loans first). I've applied to BEd programmes in Canada for the last two years to see if I would get accepted and I get rejected outright without consideration every time. I have a very low GPA from my undergrad that I finished many moons ago which is a big part of the reason. That and BEd programmes are extremely competitive to get into.

I plan on getting an MA through distance while I'm here which should allow me to get into a good BEd programme when I do decide to go home which should allow me to become a teacher in my home country if all goes well.

Anyway, I'll quit yammering on. Do you think spending a long time in Korea is a waste of time if you plan to be in education for the rest of your life?