Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Modernist]

This thread is really backing up my decision to have no interest whatsoever in K-girls. The last thing I want is anything that could bind me here even 1 day past the time I accomplish my goal and complete my term.

I really think Draz, strange brew and Floating World sum the whole sorry business up. Teaching English is generally a crap excuse for a 'profession' as strange brew says. An intelligent person will tire of it exceptionally quickly. Then, as FW notes, there's the WAY this generally crap job is actually done in Korea, which adds a stifling blanket of anomie and mediocrity to almost every day spent doing it here unless you are one of the 5% or so of people here like him that has a real, international style position that frees you from Korean stupidity in education.

Finally, there's Draz's excellent point about the general lousiness of this country no matter what you're doing. Personally I can't believe how dull and disappointing Seoul is for a city of 10 million. How can there be so many people in a place but so little to do or see? Every city I visit looks the same, sounds the same, smells the same [ugh]. Every museum is full of the same junk. Every department store makes me want to set my wallet on fire. Every Korean food I try makes me want to spit it out. Everything they make is a half-assed version of something the Jaapnese or Europeans or Americans did first and better.

It's tougher for me to be happy when all around me is mediocrity. I could handle that though, IF I was doing meaningful work instead of feeling like a light fixture that gets plugged in every morning at 9 AM.

OP, can you ever get out of here? Is your wife and kid a sentence to a lifetime in Korea? If so, you HAVE to find a way to do more fufilling work or you will just be treading water at best and that's not fair to your family. What did you dream of doing when you were younger? What was your college goal? Can you make a plan to find your way back? Away from this meaningless EFL time-wasting?

If you care about them, they deserve someone who is more than an empty shell going through the motions every day for a check. Your kid needs a father who can inspire him/her and show them how great life can be. You've got to be more than an EFL drone to do that, and you SHOULD do that someone that isn't Korea.

[shifty]

[Draz]

[strange_brew]

[Jane]

You are feeling an internal conflict inside because there is a disagreement about where you are now, and where you want to be.

This doesn't mean the baby has brought on what sounds to be a growing depression; it's your outlook that has changed, not the world around you so much.

So you should look at ways that will adjust your outlook on life. That could be by undertaking a new hobby or some education.

I've also gone through periods of distress in the 10 years I've been in Korea and I've remedied the situation by starting a new project or doing something new. It's true we don't get basic needs met in Korea like feeling part of a group or society, that is, making small talk with the check-out lady or nodding when passing someone on the street. And it's tough! It's hard to substitute this need, and I recommend making it a point to go home every 6 months or so, if you can.

Since you have a new baby, you should put a post on the Internet looking for other new dads whom you can meet up with, etc.

Good luck

[ThingsComeAround]

I've also lost interest

Lazy bickering backstabbing co-teachers, no OT, and a crappy "office" (no homeroom) all contributed to my desire to pack up and move to America. If only I had made this decision 1 year ago...

However, I do dream. Teaching is interesting, and giving students that spark of interest or a smile when they get the correct answer keeps me going these days.

[alice_w]

Mother of two here ... foreigner married to a foreigner. We've left Korea TONS of times, but are now back for our SEVENTH year. No complaints about our jobs, but I suffer lethargy too, although I do so every winter. I hibernate!

I gave up the bar scene and the like for several years, but I'm a social creature so have been making an effort to return to it of late. If I was back home I'd get my social fix from playdates or mothers' groups, but they are such hardwork here! Too far, for English speaking ones; too many language obstacles for local ones. Instead, I'm making an effort to hit the bars once a week. I drive, so don't drink much (hangovers and kids do NOT mix), and I'm kind of friendless these days, as most of my friends have moved on, but at least I get to see and talk to other adults.

I understand what you're going through, but say give yourself a kick up the bum. You're wife's just had a baby, don't be adding to stress to her life. Make an effort to at least look happy! Get out there and try and enjoy yourself more!

[Who's Your Daddy?]

You're on a F visa, so try to get some privates teaching adults. More stimulating. Even just 3 hours a week.

Get outside, take a walk, try to get to some nature.

Get exercise, take Vitamin D, get enough sleep, some sex, drink a beer sometimes, order a pizza, download some funny movies.

[J Rock]

Thanks everyone for your opinions I think I need to change up my routine and do something different. For those of you that said it could be my mindless job I think you might be right. I've been at the same hagwon for just about 5 years now. The good thing is nobody bothers me and pretty much lets me do whatever I want. I could sit dead silent in each of my classrooms everyday and nobody would care. The only reason managment leaves me alone is because I've been there so long and don't cause any trouble, and have established a good relationship with my students and the parents. But it is definetly mindless and I need to change it up.

Maybe teaching isn't my thing, I did go to school for finance and this was only supposed to be temporary. 5 years later with a family doesn't seem very temporary to me.

[lithium]

[skeeterses]

My advise to the OP:

Just stay where you are and continue teaching at an ESL hagwon, even if its a terribly boring job. Back in America, the bottom has fallen out for unskilled workers, and if you've been in Korea for over 5 years, your college diploma won't be of much use back in America.

[liveinkorea316]

OP, there are no challenges in your life. That is why you are bored.

You need to set yourself goals and challenges and soon you will be envigorated again.

You are married, you put on weight, you have working in the same hagwon for 5 years... relationship, body, career - what are your current challenges or goals?

There are sports teams and leagues in Korea for expats if you look.
You could study a Masters degree.
Get a hobby.
Make new friends.
Lose some weight by going to the gym.
Get a job at a Korean finance company. THEN your wife will be able to boast about you to her friends.
When was the last holiday you and your wife went on? Himalayas? Malaysia? Spain? ...


Challenge yourself.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Kimchifart]

[shifty]