Korean Job Discussion Forums

[doc_holliday]

Hi everyone! This is my first post here I'm a fairly-recently-graduated dentist from Australia, and I'm hoping to relocate to Korea, and I'm not necessarily looking for work as a dentist (although something in the field of Health or Science etc would probably be good). So far I've got a few years of work experience in Australia. I've been to Korea a few times before as well, so I'm very familiar with the setting. Just wondering what my options are, and if being a dentist gives me some specific benefits or 'edge' when looking for a job. Basically I'm open to working in any field, but I've been searching all over the net for information and it seems like my only option is to teach English. Would anybody be able to suggest some other alternatives? Been searching for a long time and have come up with very few answers. I'm aware of what is required of me to work as a dentist in Korea, so I had no problems finding that info. But the rest is very hazy. Thanks very much for your assistance

[koreatimes]

[creeper1]

If you have a successful career please don't make the mistake of going to KOrea to teach English. Thats for those unsuccessful in their career (generally).

Itaewon (the foreign area) may have foreign dentists. I know that the international hospital has foreign doctors.

If you are set on KOrea and have the brains maybe you could lecture to dentisty students at one of the universities.

I for sure, if I was a successful dentist, would only consider Korea on the above terms or as a holiday destination.

[ttompatz]

[Modernist]

Would you mind giving us some details about why exactly you, as a professional person from a developed country, would want to come here? Is there a shortage of opportunities for dentists in Oz? Do you not like dentistry? Do you not like Australia?

I mean, you could much more easily switch countries if you wanted to emigrate to the EU, or America, or Canada. I could write the marketing for you right now as an Aussie dentist in my neck of America--you would not want for patients

You really can't work in Korea as a foreigner outside of EFL UNLESS you have an F visa, or you are willing to try to get sponsored as a dentist.

As creeper says, teaching English here is a pretty meaningless gig most of the time. I can't imagine you wouldn't be taking a heck of pay cut to do it, for one thing, and have you ever taught before? Even [or especially] well-educated people with decent intelligence can really struggle with figuring out how to do this job capably well and not go crazy with boredom or frustration. This goes triple if you are talking about any level of student below Uni [which is ~90% of the available jobs].

Are you an ethnic Korean, as ttompatz says? Get an F visa and you have some options. Do you just want a change of scenery? There are literally dozens of countries better suited for that, including virtually all of SE Asia. Go there instead. Trust me.

Or is this about a romantic partner? If it's that, really, either try to get them to move to Australia or find a new one. Foreigners in Korea are virtually all here either for money or, uh, that other thing. You're not going to match the money teaching EFL, and personally I can't see how the 'other thing' would be worth the sacrifice you will have to make to live here with them for any length of time.

[doc_holliday]

Thank you all for your prompt and helpful responses, I really appreciate it Just to add, I'm not an ethnic Korean as was asked. As for why I want to go to Korea...well, I can't even explain it myself very well, but I just have a great affinity for the country. There are no ulterior motive here...I don't want to go there for romantic reasons or because I hate Australia or cannot find a job Anyway, thanks again for your help! If anybody has any further suggestions, please let me know.

[northway]

[joelove]

^ Did ya read his first post? Been a few times before...

[northway]

My bad, read the first post when it was initially posted.

[minos]

Find a Korean through your college connections who went back and see about opening a practice or working at his.

Some clinics will brag about having a foreigner on staff to get higher end clients. They'll call you the foreign expert.

Somebody suggested I do the same with photography and open a studio. He said I'd have clients around the clock due to the rareity.

They do hire doctors here from abroad and pay very well.

A dentistry teaching position is another option. Doctors have many classes in English and the books are usually in English too.