Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mandrews1985]

Hey guys, just looking at getting some feedback from guys and gals who have been here for more than 1 year.

I've had a great time in my current hagwan teaching primarily middle school kids. However I won't re-sign with them, nothing personal it's just I want to go back home for 2 or 3 months before starting a second contract, also I would like to try a different area. Daegu is fantastic, but I've done it, now to move on.

I'm thinking of a smaller place, slightly less westernised city, so Daegu, Seoul and Busan doesnt interest me. Is there any places you could suggest? My only preference would be, coastal area.

Well anyway, what I'm really after is what did you do for your 2nd year?

Did you re-sign, find a new job, change location or change country completely? (I am also putting feelers out for Japan which I fancy right now)

Did you go home between 1st contract and 2nd?

Will recruiters treat me like the absolute newbies or will my one year experience help me get a better job? Will I find the better jobs through a recruiter?

I don't have a Masters or a degree in education, just the standard BA so I think an university is out of the question. I heard about some hagwans that teach university students. This would interest me a lot but I have never seen them advertised, are there any big english language franchises for univeristy students?

The EPIK route is something I have never considered because I don't like the idea of having a co teacher sitting in my classes. Is this much of a problem? Basically the co teacher hurdle is the only aspect of EPIK that puts me off big time, I like having creative freedom in class.

So yeah.... please answer or give details of what you are doing/done for the 2nd year, would love some advice.

Cheers guys

[soviet_man]

If Japan was an option for 2nd year I would suggest take it.

If you stay for a 2nd or 3rd year in Korea, you become too invested: relationships, friendships, routines, and ultimately start to get iffy about any sort of change.

If you work in a 2nd country in the 2nd year = then you get the adventure aspect back and keep learning and keep doing new things.

The more years you stay in Korea, the more difficult it is to leave.

[Zackback]

Smaller than Daegu and a coastal city.

Go to Pohang.

[munybse]

I work in Daegu, in fact perhaps another branch of the same hagwon as you, and I went home for a few months before coming back. I still enjoy Daegu, but I am thinking like you I want to go to a smaller place.

Some of the cities I am going to look into include Pohang (which I have enjoyed when visiting), Mokpo (another coastal town), and Jeonju (when I was home I had a job offer hear and liked the town). Also Changwon seems to be a good place to look as well.

Good luck on your search.

[isitts]

Just keep wandering aimlessly until an idea pops up in your mind.

[rainism]

[mandrews1985]

[PatrickGHBusan]

Then again getting invested in a place is not a bad thing either....

[mandrews1985]

Thanks Munybse for your message, yup you're spot on, I'm Mark!

PatrickGHBusan, I do agree, getting invested in a place is not a bad thing and it's not like I'm avoiding the chance either. Just feel I'd like try other places while I'm on my asian adventure and not invested in one place.

If that's in Korea or else where, I don't know yet, still got a few months to decide on that.

Cheers for the replies so far!

[Son Deureo!]

My advice: Rather than pick a great location, cast a wide net and look for a great job. Most Korean cities and towns seem a lot better when you have a job you're happy with.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Adventurer]

I recommend Gwangju. It's a great area. Or, if you want something smaller go to Yeosu.

[cert43]

So yo' for the record Iam just wondering who that 'can't change' was directed specfically at?

I wouldn't come back to Korea after a second go around..

[mandrews1985]

[PatrickGHBusan]