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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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 Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:02 am Post subject: Re: Japan after Korea? |
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| gobbledygook wrote: |
Hey guys,
Has any of you lived in both Japan and Korea? I'm thinking of relocating there (probably Tokyo) after Korea, but am not sure if I'd enjoy Japan as much as Korea from a cutural perspective. So would love to hear from some of you here who have the experience of living in both countries. I know language and living cost will be the two factors to watch out for. but in general, which country do you prefer and what do you find the most difficult when living in Japan? Is Japan a lot more foreigner friendly than Korea? |
Darkeru has already made some good points, but I'll put in my two cents. I lived in Japan for two years and I go back to visit from time to time.�
A number of people on this thread have been eyeing Japan because of the exchange rate, but I'll say to you like I said to them, that exchange rate won't help you a bit once you're in Japan. It's expensive there. And Tokyo? Good luck.�
Culturally, it's xenophobic there like it is here, it just isn't quite as obvious as Japanese aren't really confrontational sorts. (On that note, I will say it's more peaceful there.)
The only way I'd do Japan is through the JET Program, and even that has scaled back since I was there, and the benefits aren't as uniform as they are here. �If you get subsidized housing, then it's a good deal. If not, not so much.�
My friends who stayed in Japan after getting out of JET (there's a limit for how long you can stay) have had to change to much more austere lifestyles to stay afloat.�
Not saying it's impossible to do well there. But it would take time and connections and, likely, private lessons to do so.�
I would look at the Japan forums and talk to users like Glenski or Cthulhu to get more helpful info.� |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:14 am Post subject: Re: Japan after Korea? |
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| gobbledygook wrote: |
Hey guys,
Has any of you lived in both Japan and Korea? I'm thinking of relocating there (probably Tokyo) after Korea, but am not sure if I'd enjoy Japan as much as Korea from a cutural perspective. So would love to hear from some of you here who have the experience of living in both countries. I know language and living cost will be the two factors to watch out for. but in general, which country do you prefer and what do you find the most difficult when living in Japan? Is Japan a lot more foreigner friendly than Korea? |
Sorry...didn't answer your other questions. I liked Japan but I'm much more comfortable in Korea. There are always trade-offs though. I should say, too, that I lived in west Japan, near Kobe/Osaka. Liked that area, hated Tokyo.
Office politics are something else in Japan, too.
Anyway, I wouldn't just go there for the money. But if you're interested in going, then sure, check it out. But that's my advice for any country. Good luck! |
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J Rock
Joined: 17 Jan 2009
Location: The center of the Earth, Suji
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| Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Dodge7 wrote: |
| Seoulman69 wrote: |
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| Totally opposite of the Korean ajusshi stare down matches I get into every day here. |
That sucks. Sounds like you've got it pretty hard here. Did your friend get stared at a lot when he lived in Korea before he moved to Japan? Is that why he moved to Japan? |
My friend never lived in Korea but he has been here to visit me a couple times. |
Dodge, I don't think you picked up on how Seoulman69 was mocking you in everyone of his questions. I was laughing at everything he asked as you bit....hard.  |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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| J Rock wrote: |
| Dodge7 wrote: |
| Seoulman69 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Totally opposite of the Korean ajusshi stare down matches I get into every day here. |
That sucks. Sounds like you've got it pretty hard here. Did your friend get stared at a lot when he lived in Korea before he moved to Japan? Is that why he moved to Japan? |
My friend never lived in Korea but he has been here to visit me a couple times. |
Dodge, I don't think you picked up on how Seoulman69 was mocking you in everyone of his questions. I was laughing at everything he asked as you bit....hard. |
I refrained from mentioning that at the time I was reading it a couple of days ago. I thought that surely he realizes that he is being clowned; apparently not though.
As to the OP, I considered Japan after leaving Korea a couple of years back. I was also interested in China. I got accepted by Aeon right after I had already made plans to come to Shanghai. I chose to come here instead and don't regret it at all. |
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Seoulman69
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Dodge, I don't think you picked up on how Seoulman69 was mocking you in everyone of his questions. I was laughing at everything he asked as you bit....hard. Very Happy |
Oh, you nasty troll. You are probably the same adjushis that stare at poor Dodge on the street. |
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KeepingItReal
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Dodge7 wrote: |
| My buddy has been there since 2008 and loves it. My wife also lived in Tokyo for a year and admitted they are more accepting of foreigners and don't stare at people. And if you catch them staring at you by chance, they look away quickly. Totally opposite of the Korean ajusshi stare down matches I get into every day here. |
I agree! In fact, my first time in Japan, the ONLY people gawking at me and my friend on the subway were KOREAN TOURISTS. Go figure.. |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Seoulman69 wrote: |
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| Dodge, I don't think you picked up on how Seoulman69 was mocking you in everyone of his questions. I was laughing at everything he asked as you bit....hard. Very Happy |
Oh, you nasty troll. You are probably the same adjushis that stare at poor Dodge on the street. |
I wish this board had a Karma button. |
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kimchi_pizza
Joined: 24 Jul 2006
Location: "Get back on the bus! Here it comes!"
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Darkeru wrote: |
I'm currently working in Japan - originally worked in Korea, coming back now.
One thing to consider; everyone wants Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc. Tokyo especially. There's more jobs, but a lot more competition too. You'd have a better chance if you were already in Tokyo. It also seems that many jobs give a big preference to people who already have a visa to teach in Japan. Some places also give a higher rating to Japanese work experience, over work experience anywhere else; same as Korea.
For me, I prefer living in Japan in some ways (culture, language, etc), but Korea seems to work out better financially (paid more here, but everything costs more and most jobs require driving or expensive trains). People are politer here, but it's also harder to connect with people I've found. In big city Korea, I can find people to make friends with easily - in big city Japan (when I do go there), people tend to keep more of a distance even if they're a lot more helpful with stuff like directions.
In Korea I often ate at restaurants, saved enough for a trip to Japan, bought a big TV, etc. In Japan I can't afford to eat at restaurants too often. They didn't pay for flights either, though as you're in Korea it's not as bad.
Japanese language seems a lot easier to learn (to speak/listen only) and the locals seem more accepting to hear a foreigner say it. In Korea I had some times when I tried speaking Korea and the locals tried to escape.
The best company for ALT work seems to be Altia. They're also harder to get into though, but do go over to Seoul occasionally to recruit. I've also heard good things about Borderlink, but their pay is pretty bad (210,000 Yen a month). Most ALT companies seem to help arranging housing at least though.
Regarding hagwon (eikaiwa) work, I've not heard of any chains that are good. Plenty that are bad. Presumably the rest are decent or somewhere inbetween. AEON is supposedly decent for the most part. I've heard GABA isn't terrible, but better suited for someone on a working holiday as the amount of lessons/pay can change unless you take a contract with a lot of lessons (I think it was 40) per week.
Overall I prefer working in Korea, but Japan makes a good holiday.
http://jobsinjapan.com/?loc=JJA_EFL_Teaching <-- good place to check |
My first teaching job was in Japan for a year and these observations are pretty spot-on. |
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Seoulman69
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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| I wish this board had a Karma button. |
Would I receive good or bad karma? |
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viciousdinosaur
Joined: 30 Apr 2012
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Seoulman69 wrote: |
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| I wish this board had a Karma button. |
Would I receive good or bad karma? |
If you have to ask that's pretty sad. |
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Seoulman69
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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| If you have to ask that's pretty sad. |
Your posts stink of desperation. Ask your wife to pay more attention to you in real life. That might stop you seeking attention online. |
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Brooks
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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I have worked in Tokyo since 2000.
It is funny that people are thinking of coming here from Korea. I think the market is saturated here. This country is expensive. Probably you can do better in Korea. Although, if you don`t intend to stay long in Japasn, then it is OK.
I have a Japanese spouse and I am thinking of giving up and moving back to the US.
There is just too much competition for decent jobs.
I got a 5 year contract for work at a university. When that ends I need a new job and may have to move. Moving is so expensive here, and paying key money really adds up. |
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Gorf
Joined: 25 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 7:32 am Post subject: |
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I went to Fukoka a few weeks ago.
Everything was clean and organized and well maintained.
No one stared at me, ever.
Interesting culture and people, food, scenery.
Pollution was nonexistent.
No trash anywhere.
Older, but more interesting public transit.
Same price for food. Same price for apartments, if not cheaper and bigger. Super expensive taxis, busses and subways.
Just walking around and checking out the city was interesting in itself. Japan is exactly like you've seen in movies, or in comics, or in photos. Korea looks nice in media, but it's actually pretty dumpy under the surface.
Amazing servWice at stores and restaurants. Super helpful and calm people.
I now definitely see why people call Korea "Japan's Mexico". My Japan-hating Korean S.O. even did a 180 and now wants to move there together on e she finishes her school. I couldn't agree more. Korea is a place to slum it for a few years and make a buck, Japan is a place to live. |
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lemak
Joined: 02 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Gorf wrote: |
| I now definitely see why people call Korea "Japan's Mexico". My Japan-hating Korean S.O. even did a 180 and now wants to move there together on e she finishes her school. I couldn't agree more. Korea is a place to slum it for a few years and make a buck, Japan is a place to live. |
haha |
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Moondoggy
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:44 am Post subject: |
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| hard to believe that there are still some people out there to come to dave's esl to mock korea. i wonder what korea has done to these people because it seems they got problems. |
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