Korean Job Discussion Forums

[YTMND]

[jennykwon]

Tough start. I think you should wait a bit though. All entry jobs are difficult; but often the challenges they bring are necessary for you to develop.

[fusionbarnone]

If you came on an E2, change to an F4 and look for another job. My wife quit her EPIK job after two weeks working for a public school. She had a new job at a hogwan within a few hours that paid way better wages and even better working conditions on her own terms.

[blm]

Well I think they are right that it's a bit early to "know" you should quit.
Is this your first full time job? That is also a big shock (and tiring) at first.
It does get easier and how much of your health problems are due to you being unhappy and once you get settled will become much better?

If due to health reasons your deciding to quit and go home (i.e. it's goodbye Korea and not just that job) I would probably say don't tell your boss. You seem stressed enough as is without that pressure on you.

You shouldn't have to use much Korean in the classroom. I teach very low level High School kids and while I wish my Korean was much better and I would use it more.... I wouldn't use it a lot more. Just enough to make sure they understand the task and the goals. Really the aim should be to use as much English as possible in the classroom.

[inskorea]

[joonhashin]

OP again. This will probably be my last reply.

Today was the beginning of my second week and things were much better this time around. It's amazing what a refreshing weekend can do for you. I met up with my cousins on Saturday at Gangnam because one of them works as an actor at a small theatre. Afterward, the six of us went to a traditional Korean "술집" and talked for hours while downing three bottles of 막걸리. On Sunday, I took the bus up to Kimpo and went for lunch with my grandmother and talked with her for hours while watching Korean Drama (she loves it, and I don't like admitting it, but I love it too). It's a good thing that I have all of my relatives living in Korea.

Today, I had classes from 3:45 - 9:30pm with only 5 minute breaks in between each 45 minutes classes (7 in total I believe), but this time I did it without being all stressed out and completely exhausted. Sure, by 9:30pm, I was still starving and physically tired but mentally, I was still sharp. When work was over, I went out for late dinner (chicken and beer, also known as "치맥") with two of my co-workers, one of which will be the new head teacher. She showed me the new schedule that she's been working on for the month of September then proceeded to handed me mine as we were drinking beer. I have a packed schedule on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but I barely have any classes on Tuesdays (2) and Thursdays (3). Plus, I will officially become a Foreign English Teacher rather than a Korean English Teacher so that not only will I have an easier time conducting classes, I will have way less responsibilities; one of which I'm especially happy not to do is consulting with Korean moms regarding their child's progress.

In conclusion, I think I'm going to be just fine. I was under a lot of pressure and stress last week and I don't think any less of myself for wanting to quit at the time. I consider myself lucky for not having had the chance to tell the Director that I wanted out. The only two people that I ended up telling will be leaving this hagwon by this Friday and will likely not tell anyone including the Director.

This is the latest I've stayed up since I arrived. Before, I went to bed so early because I didn't have any energy to do anything else. Tonight, I was eating dinner until 11:30pm and playing Diablo 3 at a PC Room until 1:30am (there's one on the 2nd floor of the building I'm living at, so it's quite convenient).

I'm looking forward to what the future will bring in the next 11 months and 3 weeks.

Cheers.

[haleynicole14]

[viciousdinosaur]

[PenguinSoup]

Just finished reading your story, and I'm glad you got into the groove in the end.

The first week or two usually seems to bring out the super-stress for the first time foreign teachers. I know some friends and I had the same freakout experience mixed with culture shock. You'll have a great time with new friends...and having family here is extra kick-ass. Good luck with continuing to adjust ^^