Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peterpan1110]

Ive been wanting to teach in Korea for months now... Ive done a lot of research about teaching and I was convinced that I wanted to go. I just recently came across an opportunity and it looks more and more like I am going to accept it, but I am not as excited as I thought I would be. Now that teaching in Korea is starting to become a reality, I am having my doubts and quite frankly, I am starting to get nervous... Is this normal? Family and friends mean a lot to me and this will be the first time in my life where I will be completely alone, so I think I have right to be a bit scared. Right?

I know for a fact that if I don't go then I will immediately want to go again cause I have been wanting to for months now. If you guys share your personal experience about the days leading up to the move, then I would appreciate it very much. Thanks

[Zackback]

What city are you looking at to teach in?

[marsavalanche]

if you dont want to come, dont come. someone else will take your place and life will go on

[schwa]

[FloridaGator314]

I would recommend going ahead and just doing it. The days before I left I starting feeling kinda nervous. When I got to the gate in Chicago for my flight bound for Korea and was the only white person I got really uncomfortable and then as the plane approached Incheon airport I started panicking thinking "oh god oh god what have I got myself into to?" After feeling incredible out of place the first few days, I've loved my experience in Korea and regret nothing.

[isisaredead]

[Illysook]

Get the address of the school and Google it so that you absolutely do know where you are going. Seoul or one of it's larger suburbs are usually good choices. Outlying areas aren't the end of the world but present more challenges that you may not want to deal with during your first year.

[s.tickbeat]

The night before I was due to fly, I cried and cried. I panicked. What was I thinking, jetting off on what could be a terrible, terrible decision? Who was my boss? I'd only talked to him on the phone - was he REALLY a decent person? What about the people? And the language - oh god I couldn't go.

A year's gone by and it's been awesome (bit of a slump at the 6th month mark but you get through it) and I'm coming back again after some travelling.

[Squire]

Not at all. The last few weeks before leaving were some of the most exciting of my life

I did worry about not being able to hack it though. I hate failing at things, and I'd read so much about culture shock I was mindful of it from the moment I touched down in Incheon. I was also worried I wouldn't be able to teach and be terrible at my job and dread going to work every day. These two things really motivated me though. After 6 months the culture shock still hasn't really kicked in so I think I'm over it. The teaching has been fine aswell

I'd be more worried about someone coming over here without a clue and expecting it to be better than it realistically will be. I believe a bit of nerves and pressure can bring the best out of a person. Be outgoing, work hard at your job and have a go at the language and you'll give yourself the best chance possible. It's amazing how quickly you forget about stuff from home

[northway]

If you're concerned about loneliness and it being your first time away from home, I would strongly recommend looking for a hagwon job with multiple foreign teachers. The people I've met who were overwhelmed by loneliness were generally people who were the sole foreigner at their hagwon or who worked public. I know some will disagree with this point strongly, but I really think that support network can be really helpful in your first year.

[Modernist]

[greatunknown]

Don't be a wuss! Your over thinking it! Your only an airplane ride from home.

And yes.. The days leading up to my departure were extremely terrifying/exciting/anxious. What isn't normal is to feel totally casual about moving to the other side of the planet. Your moving into the great unknown, you don't know what your best/worst case scenario's are yet. But, you've done your homework to the best of your ability and that's the best thing you can do.

By the way I'm not trying to be rude by telling you to not be a wuss.. Its just what I needed to hear before I left

Good luck

[Yaya]

I had cold feet but then I developed a pair, as should the OP.

[cincynate]

I gave up a good job and a girlfriend to come over here. I Was extremely nervous a few weeks before I left, and thought to myself I had made a terrible decision. That was three years ago.. I've been here ever since. It is quite an experience, both living in Korea and teaching children (I was a computer programmer before coming over). That being said, there will be some rough spots. A few weeks after I got here I was convinced that I would be leaving soon. It's a tough adjustment, but I decided to stick it out, and now I'm thinking I'm going to probably be here until they kick me out. You will definatly get homesick now and again, but it passes. If you like adventure and challenge, then this is for you. IF you don't, and have little patience, maybe you should re-think your decision. Either way, if you come over, and least you'll be able to say you did, and know for sure. You can always leave.. anytime you want. People leave all the time in the middle of their contracts. If you don't come, you'll forever wonder about the adventure that could have been.. the adventure of a lifetime!!!

[peterpan1110]

thanks for all the input! sounds like im not the only one... i know i am going to regret it if i dont go, so i will definitely just suck it up and go!