Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mycamaro]

I'm in agreement with the posting from myenglishino. You'll adapt, and call it home soon enough. Get used to not tipping for services, get or stay a little heatlhy with the walking, and enjoy your job with adorable children. Your going to a kindergarten? Just remember to wash your hands frequently, or you'll get sick many times. I did one year, was sick 9 times. In America, maybe once a year. But I wasn't teaching kids.
You can and should check out all the helpful sites about expat living in S. Korea. But before worrying about your B.F. I advise you to make a good relationship with your workplace. It will be your new family life, as an average 8 to 10 hr work days. If you enjoy your job, you'll enjoy Korea alot better and faster. Most foreigners complain that thier boss doesn't like or hates them. There are very bad bosses here, but that's everywhere in the world. I advise you try to understand the culture with elderly respect. That's the key. Elders here, the older they are, the more despiteful they become to you if you don't respect them as most younger koreans do.
Example: a foreigner says her principal really dislikes her. She never accepted or tried to follow the elderly respect. I think that's what did it. The average principal has a staff of 50 or so that will jump when he snaps. Then a young foreigner comes along and doesn't bow when she sees him. So naturally, he's not going to like her. Yes, your not korean, the Korean bosses should know that bowing, two arm hand shaking, two arm passing an item, standing up when he enters the room, etc. is not what foreigners do. But most of them will not try to adjust to your culture, they expect you to adjust to theirs.
So if you can have a good relationship with your workplace, then you'll have romantic talks with your BF on Skype or whatever, telling him how much you like Korea rather than constantly venting to him about what the boss said or did to you that day.

[melvaughn]

Honestly, the worst is the flight over. Once you arrive, everything is so new and you're tired/adapting to the time change and meeting people that you don't think to be nervous.

It was easy for me because I'm never leaving anyone behind (like a boyfriend) and normally I'm dying to 'get away' so it was very easy.

But the flight over was still the most anxiety-provoking. You're sitting on a 12 hour flight thinking, "what did I just get myself into", "great, now it's too late to turn back".

I've been to Korea twice for two jobs not knowing a soul and the flight was torture because I sat on the plane worrying the entire time. Once you get past the plane ride, it's uphill, I think.

So my advice: Distract yourself on the plane. Try to sleep and not worry because it's really the 'unknown' aspect that is the worst but it's really just all in your mind.

[ren546]

[cert43]

@OP- Good Luck in Korea!!!!!!

[Steelrails]

[Harpeau]

Sam Keen wrote:

You have to answer 2 questions:
Where am I going?
Who will go with me?
If you get the order of those questions reversed~ you are screwed! (parraphrased)