Korean Job Discussion Forums

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

How long is the season? Would I be able to work long enough to make it worthwhile to fly there from Korea?
Just curious, I posted this more as a joke, but anything is possible I suppose.

cheers

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Actually its a good way to meet a whole lot of different people, get very fit physically, and travel around australia. You can't make much cash on it though unless you are superman and able to resist drinking after a hard day.

t bear · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: south central rok

Ditto, good way to see NZ, you can pick from the far north to the far south. A lot of backpackers save reasonable amounts picking. Who needs to drink when the pots so cheap anyway.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

I don't know how long you've been looking, but I'm your age and I got a job in a hagwon. Three months ago. It's not impossible and I'd advise you to stay calm and keep looking.
I treeplanted for seven years, from age 28 to 35. Six months of the year. The second year, when I was thirty, I 'highballed' and ran roughshod over my physical abilities driving myself to one arm holes and hammer trees into clay with my knee like a jackhammer. I understand the attraction of the job; the serenity, the wide open spaces, the closeness to nature, sky, nuances of weather, the elements. But there is absolutely no way I'd, at 42, go back to planting trees. It demands the energy output of a marathoner. It would be self-abuse to got back when out of one's prime.
I picked fruit, as well. And that job is worse, by far, than treeplanting. The pay is enough to keep you alive. I met three guys from France in the Okanagan (B.C., Canada) who were financially stranded in pickers shacks. They were emaciated and dispirited.

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

Being 42 isn't too old. Try the more provincial areas, they tend to be more tolerant of the older teachers. Or look at China, pay is improving and age is valued there. Smile

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

This does raise the question,- how long is it possible to keep on teaching English???? I mean if i taught until i was 60, I'd be no different to my father who retired at that age.... I'm 31 now, I foresee a lot of sticky ball games in the future.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Thanks for all your responses. After careful consideration of your posts, I can see that I need to try harder to find a job here. Captain Kirk, I salute you. Cool

I know quite well that going back to treeplanting would be kind of desparate at my age.
I probably would injure myself and be "retired" after a week. Confused

I posted this as kind of a reaction to what I am experiencing looking for work here. I am tired of being called into interviews just to be told,"We're not looking for teachers right now." Rolling Eyes

I would respect them more if they just came out and said - you're too old.

Cheers

Paddycakes · Joined: 05 May 2003 Location: Seoul

You can go pick fruit with the French-Canadian migrant workers in the Okanagan (British Columbia, Canada).

Not sure if the French-Canadians would let you live with them in their camps, though. You'd also be lumped in the French Canadians as a social group, who Pierre Vallieres might describe as the "White N*ggers of the Okanagan Valley" in terms of the way francophones are viewed there.

You probably wouldn't make very much, but TABERNACK, at least you'd probably come away from it knowing how to speak Quebecois in Joual.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Cool!!!

Where do I sign?????? Wink

cheers

Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee · Joined: 25 May 2003

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Well, I have 2 interviews today, wish me luck.

cheers

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

Oh gosh, this post brings back horrid memories of detasseling corn back home in the USA as a summer job in High School.

YIKES!

wildBillLee · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

If you're serious about picking fruit, the Okanogan Valley in British Columbia is the place. Early to rise, though, and the money is so so... It's also very hot in the summer. And if the drought continues, you could find yourself fighting forest fires.

Yeah. Western Canada is good.

TJ · Joined: 10 Mar 2003

It's a "@#%&*" of a job UNLESS you are very fit AND can put your mind in neutral. If not you will be exhausted and bored crazy by the end of the first day.

It is a lot easier physically if you land a job where 'cherry pickers' are used. In case you don't know these are motorised mobile platforms which have a telescopic arm and a bucket for the operator. The good thing about these is that the bag for the fruit is attached to the machine - you don't have all that weight hanging off your shoulders.

Understandably most orchard owners give the cherry picker jobs to experienced operators. If you are a beginner you will probably have to carry a heavy bag strapped over your shoulders.

Of course you could keep your mind active by practising counting in a foreign language while you are picking. [I memorised the Japanese numbering system while picking up dead chickens on a poultry farm. Now that was a real "@#$%&*" of a job]

bjonothan · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Location: All over the place

When I head back to Australia I usually work on grape farms in the sunraysia area, which is near Mildura. There is almost always work there and the pay is ok. If you don't like hot weather then it is probably not the best place to go. In summer you can get hot spells of in excess of 40 deg. for as long as 2 weeks. It is a great place though if you like swimming and drinking beer and soaking up the sun. I have a contact there if you are interested, the guy pays cash if you need him to and helps find a place to stay and stuff. If it sounds ok, then pm me and I will give you the details.