Korean Job Discussion Forums

[leotreo]

I have a good job offer to teach in Korea.

I've never been overseas.

I look young but am a few years shy of 30.

I majored in business and haven't had much trouble finding work in the U.S.

I want to teach in Korea for the experience, the travel, and a year abroad. (and you can make a little dough, but money isn't the reason.)

Why am I hesitant? Well...the opportunity cost is I will lose a year of professional development, and when I get back home...the teaching experience won't be that marketable (or will it?)

Do you regret teaching in Korea? ANy experienced people please share..

[TellyRules986]

I think you should do your research and determine if it's something for you. I personally wouldn't do Korea if it was my first time abroad. It can be tough in a wildly different country with a major language barrier on top of it. Why did you choose Korea specifically? You could work in a place that's more culturally similar to your own. It's an easier transition.

Also, while you do get travel opportunities, it's not necessarily one big vacation. It's a job and you will be expected to teach and make work commitments.

And you're right, if you're applying for business-related jobs at home like management, etc. your experience in Korea won't be all that marketable. So I would take only a year or two, then start really working on my career if I were you.

But are you a flexible, easygoing person? Can you hit the ground running and roll with the punches easily? Can you deal with a ton of uncertainty? I think these people would be more successful in Korea, especially if they've never been abroad before. If, however, you expect more order and for things to move logically, get frustrated when you can't navigate a situation, etc. then you might have more trouble with Korea. I would look elsewhere -- it doesn't make you a bad person, just that Korea might not be for you.

Hope this helps.

[eamo]

[Yaya]

Just make sure that your "one" year doesn't turn into two, three or more as it has for many vets of Korea.

Even the most able of people who live in and then leave Korea have trouble readjusting to the West after a few years.

[leotreo]

Appreciate the input everybody!

[xhaktmtjdnf]

I'll just second what's been said. A year isn't going to hurt your job chances 2 or 3 well that'll be a different matter. So go ahead and give Korea a chance.

[Joe Boxer]

Why Korea?

[matthews_world]

^^Why not Korea.

Doesn't sound like the OP is gainfully employed at the moment as he skirts the issue.

If you do have a decent job with medical and 401K then you might regret leaving it.


Check Dave's China and Int'l job boards as well.

If you can get into Japan then the exchange rate is getting better all of the time over there, however, some schools need you to speak introductory Japanese. JET is the government equivalent of EPIK over there for public school placement and Interac recruits as well. Lots of kiddie and adult institutes to research.

Personally, I wouldn't enjoy the stares, pollution, and reduced quality of produce and food stuffs over in China.

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

If you are employed, take 2 weeks vacation and book a return flight. For a more authentic experience, take the ferry from Busan to Fukuoka then come back. Eat Kim chi, rest in a Jin jil bang and sing in a Norae Bang. Enjoy a temple or two too!

[kingplaya4]

Look at posts particularly on the job forum before making your decision. Are you Korean American or have some particular affinity for Korea? If so, if you are sure you can walk right back into your old job, then why not give it a shot? Otherwise, there are probably better places where you could go for more of a working vacation.

If you decide Korea's for you, you might want to think about rural more than urban as you'll find urban kids pretty overexposed to English, so your class will hardly be a novelty at this point in the English boom. Remember, it's a stereotype that Asian kids are these well behaved angels. (That did seem to be the case when I taught Asian Americans, but it's a different story here.)

If you get lucky and get a good school where there are very motivated students, or the school has a supportive discipline policy, then even if you've never taught before, if you have a bit of enthusiasm you'll probably be fine. Unfortunately, a lot of schools don't have either, so be careful about which school you choose, don't just take the first offer you get.

Your vacation will probably be from about 2-4 weeks long, although a bad job won't even give you that minimum, while if you get insanely lucky at this point you might get more. For me, I need the two weeks just to recover from exhaustion from all the teaching hours, but higher energy people who don't need to save a ton often take the time to travel southeast asia and Japan. (They are a pretty short plane trip from here.)

[leotreo]

This is great input everyone, really appreciate your perspectives.

I already left a good job I had in the states to do community service for a non-profit that I just felt called to do. (My job was boring and growth potential was kind of weak too.) My career field is accounting and it has been pretty resilient here in the states.

I guess I sort of have this 'grand plan' for going to Korea. Korea seems fun & exciting--a blend of traditional culture and 21st century cities at the same time. I want to see a lot of Korea and use my vacation to see Japan or Thailand or something cool.

After the first year in Korea my plan is take my flight to Europe instead of the states and use my savings to couch-surf Europe and the middle east for a few months before heading home.

I just figure that I have the rest of my life to work back home--and if I don't do this now I may never get the opportunity.

The job I chose was my second offer, the director seems sweet and a teacher teaching there currently loves it. It is a hagwon with (9-630) hours and 2 weeks vacation. Not the greatest, but it seems like a healthy place for a guy who has no teaching experience at all.

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

[leotreo]

Well, I guess I will find out. It says +15 holidays. I personally don't think this Hagwon falls into the 3rd world working conditions or whatever you want to call it. :p

[Seoulman69]

I hope you like kindergarteners.

[Yaya]