Korean Job Discussion Forums

thebektionary · Joined: 11 May 2011

glad to see i'm not the only one who feels this way, haha.

i'm not even an oldie. i just feel like now i have at least 10 people who i didn't meet in korea who are now teaching in korea in my social network and at least 10 more who ask me about it, whereas when i was first getting my docs together to go for the first time i only knew that one person who let me in on the whole thing.

krnpowr · Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Location: Midwest, USA

krnpowr · Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Location: Midwest, USA

Ibsen · Joined: 09 Dec 2011

I think it's just what you make of it. I actually have never been to Korea, but I am in the process of getting my documents ready to go and teach. I'm not trying to do it because I want to be "cultured" or because I have nothing else to do right out of college and think it's a monkey job, but I've always wanted to go to Korea and experience true Korean culture. I am Korean myself, but grew up in America and want to experience the motherland Smile

.

That being said, no one "told" me about the whole teaching thing per se, I mostly just researched it myself and discovered the wonderful world of teaching ESL pretty much by accident. Also out of my social circle, I am the only one who even knew that this sort of job existed, so I still feel special. I think all the bitterness is misplaced. Veterans in any aspect seem to dislike newbies to an extent since they pose a threat to their livelihood (taking their jobs, lowering wages, etc.) but you all were once newbies yourself. Holding grudges toward newcomers just because they are new seems pretty asinine to me. You don't feel "special" anymore since more and more people and doing what you are doing so you harbor anger toward them.... but they simply had the same idea you did in the first place.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

A lot of people on this board have been here a while. First time over for me was in '89. Moved to Seoul permanently in '93.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

@Ibsen....

We all sincerely wish you the best. It can indeed be a great experience.

Come in with the correct perspective, though. The 'old timers' don't begrudge 'newbies' because the newbs are taking over any work. In fact, the work that most newbs do most old timers wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. There is also no feeling of jealosy or bitterness at seeing a new batch of people get the 'new experience. 9 out of 10 'old timers' really couldn't care less. Ironically, IMHO, it seems to be the newbies who get a bit miffed when they meet people who have lived and worked here a long time, often with a great deal of success; it's like someone is stealing their 'I'm having a unique international experience' thunder. For most of us, there has long since been no need to feel anything special about living and working here. It's just where we live and work, nothing more, nothing less. No biggie.

And there are no grudges agains the new simply because they are new. As you said, we've all been there before. The annoying thing about SOME newbies is that they acquire a know-it-all-seen-it-all-done-it-all attitude in no time flat when it comes to all things Korean, and can unfortunately be verbally loud and obnoxious in letting the world know just exactly what they 'know'. More often than not, they're just plain wrong and just plain annoying to listen to.

Just my 2 cents. Enjoy your time here, however long it may turn out to be.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:26 am Post subject:

Times30 · Joined: 27 Mar 2010

thebektionary · Joined: 11 May 2011

I don't care all too much about not feeling "special" anymore, and I don't have any bitterness or resentment for most other people who are going to Korea now - hell, I created a whole Powerpoint presentation to show people at my university interested in going. I'm interested in helping people who want to go get good jobs and not end up in hell hagwons like I did my first time.

It's more of the "Hey, I heard you saved a ton of money and I'm broke right now" type people who bother me. The people who would've had no interest in Korea anyway who would've never gone there in a million years if it weren't for the money and them being tired of their desk jobs. This one guy messaged me the other day asking about it who is DEFINITELY not the type of person who could last even a week or two in the Korean workplace stating that he was "tired" of his desk job working for Governor Rick Scott (AKA Governor Voldemort) who he supports Rolling Eyes

and wanted to save up money. The conversation went like this:

Him: "are u still doing that teaching in s korea thing?"
Me: "i'm leaving again at the end of the month but i'm in florida now."
Him: "oh well can u plz tell me how to do it"
Me: "what do you mean? how to teach in korea?"
Him: "yea"
Me: "well, there's a lot to that question. what are you asking me about in particular? do you have any specific questions? i could go on explaining to you about it for hours."
Him: "how do i get a job"
Me: "well first you have to get fingerprints done at a police station and send them in for your federal background check. this can take up to 3 months."
Him: "why do i have to do that"
Me: "for the visa"
Him: "why do i need a visa"
Me: "to work..."

This thread was just a direct result of me having that conversation with him. He was totally clueless when he came to me. He could've done research first and asked me informed questions. I think that's why I was annoyed. I know other people from college who are in Korea now and they have habituated very well. One has a really happy relationship with a Korean girl and is learning the language. It's just people like this guy who annoy me.