Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nicolec]

I almost went at 23 and didn't, and now want to go.I'm 26, will I stick out? Will making friends be awkward because ill be older? I'm female, if that matters. Thanks.

Ps I'm being serious...this is really bothering me.

[jvalmer]

Lots of people older than you doing this. There are people in their late-50's doing this, maybe even people in their 60's. Although, the older you are the less picky you'll need to be, especially about location.

[Reggie]

I was 30 the first time. I was the second youngest foreign teacher out of the ten or so who worked at my workplace throughout the year. Now I'm 35. Most of the other teachers have married Koreans, so I imagine they're still teaching.

You're not too old. In fact, get used to being called "the kid."

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

I was in my early 30s and had no trouble making Korean etc friends.

[lalartu]

Korea is a culture of seniority and respect. the older you are, the more respect you get from your younger korean friends (but that may also mean that you'll be paying a lot more bills heheh)

[furtakk]

I'm 24 and I'm the youngest at my school.

Everyone else is between 26-30.

I'd say 25/26 is a pretty average age for first timers. The majority of my friends are around that age.

[northway]

I'm and I've been here a few years, but it's just recently that I started meeting a lot of newbies my age. 26 is average or even a bit young, I'd say.

[sallymonster]

I'm 24 and almost all of my foreigners friends here are older than me. I would say the average age for an ESL teacher in Korea is late 20's/early 30's.

[recessiontime]

I was 26 when I went to Korea.

[Allthechildrenareinsane]

I turned 31 in Korea last year, and will be celebrating my 32nd birthday here this year.

[BigBuds]

Came here when I was 28.

I'm 38 now.

[seala70]

I always find it funny when people say they are "old" at at age 26. To me, 26 is still essentially a baby. BTW, I am 41 and am finishing up my second year in Korea. Made plenty of friends (both Korean and other foreigners).

[myenglishisno]

I'm 27. Came here at 22 (just before my 23rd birthday).

It totally depends where you are working/where you live. I went back into the Hagwon (private school) racket again for the money and live in Anyang City and work on Hagwon street. I rarely meet foreigners over 25 here. There are a few older foreigners at my company but when I meet a group of foreigners in Anyang, they all LOOK like they're under 25. I saw some the other day that looked like they hadn't even gone through puberty yet. One had braces.

Then again, most of my friends in Seoul are in their late 20s/30s. A lot of them also work in Hagwons.

It depends where you work/live. I'd say the average age for public school GEPIK teachers was between 28-30 with people as young as 21 and as old as 60.

You're definitely not too old though. My age doesn't stick out at all. The fact that I've been here on and off for four years DOES though, haha. Most people seem to only do one year before they run away.

[missty]

I'm a female and 28 and came here three years ago. I don't feel like I 'stick out' here at all. Yes there are the recently graduated early 20 year old's, but there are just as many people entering their late 20's and beyond. Most of my friends are the same age as me, if not a little older.

Age isn't, (and hasn't) been a problem for me at all, you'll be fine.

[Squire]

Not at all mate, go for it.