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kkillert0fu
Joined: 05 Jan 2012
Location: Los Angeles
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 Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:54 am Post subject: S Korea still a viable option? |
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Hello,
I'm new to the forum but have frequented this site and thought about teaching in South Korea for several years. I've read through the most recent topics about S Korea but I still would appreciate insight into some questions I have about going there to teach. My FBI criminal background check just came back in the mail so now I can actually get the ball rolling with this if I so choose. I'm 25, have a degree, a solid resume, and am fairly confident I can land a job that pays ~24K for the year, a salary I'd be okay with. My motivations for doing this are pretty straightforward: to travel, make a little money, meet new people, and hopefully eventually to use this experience to further my own career as an aspiring writer/teacher.
My questions pertain mostly to the social and political climate throughout S Korea, but specifically in bigger cities like Seoul and Busan (where I would seek jobs), after the death of Kim Jung Il. Do you expect the situation to deteriorate to a point where it is not a good idea for an American to spend any significant length of time there? When my brother taught in S Korea in 2009, although it wasn't exactly peaceful, the situation seemed relatively stable and safe for an American to be living and working there, and to even travel around Asia when time permits. But because of the present uncertainty with North Korea, do you predict that expats currently living in S Korea will start to leave, fearing their safety? Will the uncertainty result in S Korea not being looked at internationally as a place for people to come and teach ESL? Basically, will there still remain a steady population of foreign expats throughout S Korea, or will that begin to dwindle in the near future given the current situation with N Korea?
I ask this because, quite honestly, for as much as I would like to be immersed in another culture, I would also like to meet and network with other Westerners who have the common interest of working and living abroad. I had a good time and met a lot of cool people when I visited my brother while he was there. I'd like to have a similar experience. Thanks for any input, I hope this discussion helps others who might be on the fence as well. |
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Kimchifart
Joined: 15 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:03 am Post subject: |
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It's probable nothing will happen that will directly affect you.
If you're unlucky The North will artillery Seoul and possibly launch a nuclear attack. |
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sulperman
Joined: 14 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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| North Korea bombed the south last year. They blew up an airplane full of south Koreans before the Seoul Olympics. They have sent people down to try to murder the south Korean president. They have threatened to destroy the south every other week for god knows how long. The situation here has been uncertain for 60 years. Nothing new to fear these days. |
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english puppet
Joined: 04 Nov 2011
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| Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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| The bigger issues for you will probably be an over saturated market for teachers, a (intentionally weak really) skittish currency, slight downturn in the economy and possibly a somewhat less friendly atmosphere for foreign teachers. |
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motiontodismiss
Joined: 18 Dec 2011
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| Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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| sulperman wrote: |
| North Korea bombed the south last year. They blew up an airplane full of south Koreans before the Seoul Olympics. They have sent people down to try to murder the south Korean president. They have threatened to destroy the south every other week for god knows how long. The situation here has been uncertain for 60 years. Nothing new to fear these days. |
The North has nothing to gain by bombing Seoul. They know they don't stand a chance against the US and since China has more to gain by siding with....anyone else besides North Korea, I suppose they won't help, and same with Russia. Better to keep extorting the South for food, money and god knows what else.
Then again, this assumes Kim Jeong Eun is a rational actor. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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 This is the only appropriate response to this question.
Also, am I the only one who cringes upon the mention of "South" Korea? |
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comm
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
Also, am I the only one who cringes upon the mention of "South" Korea? |
There's a normal Korea, and then there's North Korea.
Just like there's a normal Virginia and then there's West Virginia  |
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Julius
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:34 pm Post subject: Re: S Korea still a viable option? |
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| Kkillertofu wrote: |
| My questions pertain mostly to the social and political climate throughout S Korea..after the death of Kim Jung Il. |
Not sure if you're fully aware, but North Korea is a separate, radically different country. Nobody here cares about KJI dying, hardly a word was said.
| kkillert0fu wrote: |
| will there still remain a steady population of foreign expats throughout S Korea, or will that begin to dwindle in the near future given the current situation with N Korea? |
There has always been a certain element of risk to being in SK, its a bit like living in the shadow of vesuvius. But its only been rumbling for so long now that most people have relaxed.
Socially speaking the anti-americanism of a decade ago has mostly gone away.
Your main problem will be trying to find a decent position in a market that has become utterly saturated.
If you've got time to commit 2-3 months to the job search you should find something reasonable. |
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english puppet
Joined: 04 Nov 2011
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| Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: S Korea still a viable option? |
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RE: Julius:
| Kkillertofu wrote: |
My questions pertain mostly to the social and political climate throughout S Korea..after the death of Kim Jung Il.
Not sure if you're fully aware, but North Korea is a separate, radically different country. Nobody here cares about KJI dying, hardly a word was said.
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No exaggeration there. I brought it up the first thing when I went into work thinking it would be a big deal. No one seemed to care at all. Westerners talked more about it than S. Koreans. |
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Kimchifart
Joined: 15 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:59 am Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
This is the only appropriate response to this question.
Also, am I the only one who cringes upon the mention of "South" Korea? |
Yes. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:37 am Post subject: Re: S Korea still a viable option? |
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| kkillert0fu wrote: |
Hello,
I'm new to the forum but have frequented this site and thought about teaching in South Korea for several years. I've read through the most recent topics about S Korea but I still would appreciate insight into some questions I have about going there to teach. My FBI criminal background check just came back in the mail so now I can actually get the ball rolling with this if I so choose. I'm 25, have a degree, a solid resume, and am fairly confident I can land a job that pays ~24K for the year, a salary I'd be okay with. My motivations for doing this are pretty straightforward: to travel, make a little money, meet new people, and hopefully eventually to use this experience to further my own career as an aspiring writer/teacher.
My questions pertain mostly to the social and political climate throughout S Korea, but specifically in bigger cities like Seoul and Busan (where I would seek jobs), after the death of Kim Jung Il. Do you expect the situation to deteriorate to a point where it is not a good idea for an American to spend any significant length of time there? When my brother taught in S Korea in 2009, although it wasn't exactly peaceful, the situation seemed relatively stable and safe for an American to be living and working there, and to even travel around Asia when time permits. But because of the present uncertainty with North Korea, do you predict that expats currently living in S Korea will start to leave, fearing their safety? Will the uncertainty result in S Korea not being looked at internationally as a place for people to come and teach ESL? Basically, will there still remain a steady population of foreign expats throughout S Korea, or will that begin to dwindle in the near future given the current situation with N Korea?
I ask this because, quite honestly, for as much as I would like to be immersed in another culture, I would also like to meet and network with other Westerners who have the common interest of working and living abroad. I had a good time and met a lot of cool people when I visited my brother while he was there. I'd like to have a similar experience. Thanks for any input, I hope this discussion helps others who might be on the fence as well. |
You have been watching too much CNN or FOX news.
The DPRK is mostly a non-issue in the ROK and it IS a NON-ISSUE for civilians.
Thailand and the Philippines on the other hand is far more "dangerous" for Americans.
There are lots of Byots/Baklas and Katoeys down there.
. |
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kkillert0fu
Joined: 05 Jan 2012
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:08 am Post subject: Re: S Korea still a viable option? |
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[quote="ttompatz"]
| kkillert0fu wrote: |
You have been watching too much CNN or FOX news.
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Yes...yes I have.
Anyways thanks for the responses. |
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Kimchifart
Joined: 15 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:53 am Post subject: Re: S Korea still a viable option? |
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[quote="kkillert0fu"]
| ttompatz wrote: |
| kkillert0fu wrote: |
You have been watching too much CNN or FOX news.
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Yes...yes I have.
Anyways thanks for the responses. |
Yeah seriously nothing to worry about. If it did kick off, just a matter of getting out of the country as soon as possible, or getting as far south as possible really, but it's probably not going to happen. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: S Korea still a viable option? |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| kkillert0fu wrote: |
Hello,
I'm new to the forum but have frequented this site and thought about teaching in South Korea for several years. I've read through the most recent topics about S Korea but I still would appreciate insight into some questions I have about going there to teach. My FBI criminal background check just came back in the mail so now I can actually get the ball rolling with this if I so choose. I'm 25, have a degree, a solid resume, and am fairly confident I can land a job that pays ~24K for the year, a salary I'd be okay with. My motivations for doing this are pretty straightforward: to travel, make a little money, meet new people, and hopefully eventually to use this experience to further my own career as an aspiring writer/teacher.
My questions pertain mostly to the social and political climate throughout S Korea, but specifically in bigger cities like Seoul and Busan (where I would seek jobs), after the death of Kim Jung Il. Do you expect the situation to deteriorate to a point where it is not a good idea for an American to spend any significant length of time there? When my brother taught in S Korea in 2009, although it wasn't exactly peaceful, the situation seemed relatively stable and safe for an American to be living and working there, and to even travel around Asia when time permits. But because of the present uncertainty with North Korea, do you predict that expats currently living in S Korea will start to leave, fearing their safety? Will the uncertainty result in S Korea not being looked at internationally as a place for people to come and teach ESL? Basically, will there still remain a steady population of foreign expats throughout S Korea, or will that begin to dwindle in the near future given the current situation with N Korea?
I ask this because, quite honestly, for as much as I would like to be immersed in another culture, I would also like to meet and network with other Westerners who have the common interest of working and living abroad. I had a good time and met a lot of cool people when I visited my brother while he was there. I'd like to have a similar experience. Thanks for any input, I hope this discussion helps others who might be on the fence as well. |
You have been watching too much CNN or FOX news.
The DPRK is mostly a non-issue in the ROK and it IS a NON-ISSUE for civilians.
Thailand and the Philippines on the other hand is far more "dangerous" for Americans.
There are lots of Byots/Baklas and Katoeys down there.
. |
Byots/Baklas and Katoeys? What are those? |
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Julius
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
This is the only appropriate response to this question.
Also, am I the only one who cringes upon the mention of "South" Korea? |
Why exactly?
Some Koreans do not like to acknowledge the political division and simply refer to "korea" when talking to foreigners (never ROK or DPRK). Amongst themselves they might say daehan minguk but even then they still say Namhan or Bukhan. I have heard that North Koreans hate any mention of the label "north korea" as it was imposed from the outside. They may even still call themselves "chosun". |
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