Korean Job Discussion Forums

[joelove]

I also like China better but spent many years in Korea. Any place can get to you after a long enough time, I guess. First 2-3 years in Korea were OK. Seems to me it was a better place back then, before 2001. After that, being more familiar with things, started seeing a lot of negatives in the society. Many people experience this in China and elsewhere too. I like Chinese women more too, actually, generally find them more friendly, that is if the language barrier is not so bad. They don't seem as uptight, don't wear makeup much, appear more casual and down to earth to me. Still get stink-eyes from some dudes though, but I think the xenophobia is not as intense at least in bigger cities, perhaps, or I don't feel it as much. There are lots of similarities to Korea actually, but not as many social rules regarding age and status as far as I can tell. Or maybe I just don't know the culture or language well enough to judge, but I'm fine with remaining as ignorant as can be. It was probably the loss of cultural ignorance that turned me off in Korea.

[rollo]

Best thing about China the travel. the SouthWest of China is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I love to hike and Guangxi , Guizhou and Yunnan are paradises. Visiting the ethnic villages is interesting also. Chinese women are amazing and super friendly.

[Julius]

Despite what some say, it is entirely possible to really enjoy Korea.

A lot of it comes down to what sort of person you are. For a kick off, Korea lends itself to the hardier and more independent travellers. Secondly, you can't get away with acting like an idiot in this country- its not Thailand or japan. Also It doesn't just fall into your lap. You have to work at it more to make a life for yourself here.

[D.D.]

^ korea for hardier and independent travelers---wow take some more drugs. korea is the most uptight, plastic ,sanitized place I have ever been.

cant think of any tough travel experiences in korea other than long drawn out boredom like crossing a desert.

try moving to small town china ,that is way more twilight zone than korea.

you meet people in china who have been traveling for years and in korea you get freshies just out of college trying to pay back their student loans. ya those college students such hardy travelers.

[nukeday]

we all know it's ok to act like an idiot in thailand (until you get stabbed),
but it's OK to be an idiot in Japan but not in Korea? Where do you pull this nonsense from?

Also, I think it's pretty clear there's a difference between living somewhere and traveling somewhere. Sorry but Korea is just not a tourist destination. It never will be. The hardy independent traveler might be rewarded with a few beautiful panoramas at the top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere, but the closest town will always be full of a group tour full of Korean retirees. I guess that might be fun for some, and I can comment that Flagstaff, Arizona is a beautiful city - but I doubt you'll be going there anytime soon.

I haven't lived in China, so I can't speak on that, but I'd say the quality of life is in general higher than Japan, even with all the "it's so expensive" nonsense that floats around.

[Kuros]

[nukeday]

[edwardcatflap]

I was in Tokyo recently and was surprised to see a good quality bottle of wine in a corner shop was cheaper than it would have cost in Korea.

[nukeday]

[Stout]

Yeah, the cost of living in Tokyo/Japan can be lower if you make wise choices. I will say that transportation in Tokyo is an absolute killer if you want to get out and do stuff (forget about readily available cheap yogwan/motels for the most part), also although generally tastier due to their meticulous attention to detail and execution, the food (eating out) portions are noticeably smaller.

All in all though, much more happening in Tokyo/Japan with a far deeper grasp of quality and value, a genuinely refined top-class sense of aesthetics, and not infrequent instances of (surprise!) true creativity. They take a certain pride in observing basic decorum and keeping the streets/sidewalks clean. Yes like anywhere else it's got its down sides as well. Damn shame it's going to be radioactive for a while.

[qcat79]

[Koreadays]

wow, sounds like Korea is shooting itself in the foot.

wont be long now before recruiters cant even find teachers to come here anymore.
once China opens up more with English schools and matches the pay grade with Korea. I think Korea will have a very hard time finding native speakers

the philipinos, indians, etc will be taking the jobs here . Most foreigners would probably rather go to China.
Korea is becoming like a local pub, everyone knows someone whose been there and all said, yeah Korea's alright. ton of foreigners!

If I could do it again, I wouldn't stay past 5 years in Korea, I would of moved on to China or japan. too late now for me..

[Oreovictim]

This is common sense, but I'll post it, anyway.

While researching about the doe-rae-mi, make sure that you speak with a foreigner about wages. I'm (still ) in Korea now. I was talking with my Chinese language exchange partner about a teaching gig in Shanghai. As soon as I said that it pays 10,000 RMB a month, she interrupted, saying, "10,000 RMB! That's A LOT of money!"

It's probably not bad if you have a free apartment with the deal. Otherwise, I bet things would get a bit tight.

[Moondoggy]

[austinmc86]

I live in Korea and have been to China twice. I prefer Korea. China is the better place to visit, but Korea is better to live.
Korea has better night life, more modern, cleaner, prettier women, less crowded, friendlier people.

However, I think China is the future for ESL. They're adding a ton of jobs this year, and that will only continue. China is easier to get a visa, and that will appeal to many people. Also, the salaries will rise. Korea's ESL salaries seem to be staying at the same rate, but China's is rising.

Korea is good for now, but soon, perhaps, I will make the move to China.