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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Chimie
Joined: 05 Oct 2011
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 Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Mine also says 14 days, the first five are employer picked days and the other nine are five days and two weekends. |
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ses1985
Joined: 18 Aug 2011
Location: California, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:10 am Post subject: |
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| have you accepted the position? I was singing the same tune stateside a couple months ago. Now stuck in hagwon hell, with promises of an amazing work experience and dreams of a beautiful cultural experience. If I only knew...I am counting the X's on my calendar till the end of my contract! |
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The Floating World
Joined: 01 Oct 2011
Location: Here
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| Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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OP if money is not important (you mentioned that) there is no way in hell I would advicse anyone to choose Korea! It is a bland country that is the same no matter which city or town you are in. Food and entertainment options are ridiculously limited.
If money is no option, I'd suggest Japan, Taiwan or Shanghai in China for NE Asia or heck, if Asia not important, go to S.America or Latin Europe fer Christ's sakes!
If money wasn't an issue, at least 80% of unnatached esl teachers would be flocking to Incheon airport tomorrow morning. Korea is NOT a terrible place, it's comfy and all, it just kinda seems dull a lot of the time. |
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kimiki
Joined: 19 Dec 2008
Location: south korea
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| Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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| The Floating World wrote: |
OP if money is not important (you mentioned that) there is no way in hell I would advicse anyone to choose Korea! It is a bland country that is the same no matter which city or town you are in. Food and entertainment options are ridiculously limited.
If money is no option, I'd suggest Japan, Taiwan or Shanghai in China for NE Asia or heck, if Asia not important, go to S.America or Latin Europe fer Christ's sakes!
If money wasn't an issue, at least 80% of unnatached esl teachers would be flocking to Incheon airport tomorrow morning. Korea is NOT a terrible place, it's comfy and all, it just kinda seems dull a lot of the time. |
I second this big time. OP have you spent much time browsing these forums? Money is the #1 reason the great majority of FT's come and stay here. If I could get the same paycheck in China I'd go there in half a heartbeat. There's better options for someone who has the financial ease you describe.....! Well either way, best of luck to you. |
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Harpeau
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Coquitlam, BC
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| Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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OP when you ask SHOULD I come to Korea? I say that should is shit, want is wonderful! Stop shitting on my couch and tell me what you want.
Should speaks of outward expectations~someone watching you. What do you want for yourself? Be inner motivated.
What brings you pleasure, meaning and significance? What is the bordom concerning your work? Are you looking for a career change? Something new and exciting? What do you need for yourslf? Are you wondering if you might want to go into a different field?
Here are a couple things to reflect upon:
If you found out that you had a terminal illness and only had one more year to live, what would you do?
What hobbies do you love? Which ones could you do and make them into vocations where you were paid for something that you love to do?
What creative and artistic endevours do you love to do where you feel most alive?
Do you feel the need to travel and see the world, or something else?
After you are dead and gone, what would you like written as an epitaph? How do you want to be remembered?
BTW, 9-6:30 in a hogwon is a fairly long day, IMHO. I wish you the best.
www.harpo.ca |
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Mix1
Joined: 08 May 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| leotreo wrote: |
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. |
Sounds like you've got the travel bug and a good attitude. In which case, if you stay home you'll always wonder what you missed. Better to try now than wake up at 60 and say "wished I'd done more."
Screw it; roll the dice.
But I'd think hard about Korea being your first choice. Do a lot of research first. It's not for everyone and the conditions vary a lot too. You could end up in a cake job or a complete nightmare that would wear on even the best attitude. The problem is you won't know until you're here usually so again, roll the dice.
Some say Korea is a love it or hate it kind of place. And even the ones who have claimed to love it and end up staying, when really pressed, have some anger and resentment issues built up about the place. Even if they won't admit it.
Let's just say culturally speaking, it's... unique (with all the good and bad that that implies).
A year here is good. You'll see everything you need to see within a couple months or so and you'll leave before it gets old. If you commit to ONLY a year to save money and immediately have an exit plan, then there's not much to worry about. You can do almost anything for a year. Any longer than a year and you'd better have a GOOD job here or it isn't worth it. |
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