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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Dave Chance
Joined: 30 May 2011
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 Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by Dave Chance on Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:42 pm; edited 4 times in total |
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Dave Chance
Joined: 30 May 2011
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by Dave Chance on Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:47 pm; edited 4 times in total |
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Dave Chance
Joined: 30 May 2011
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by Dave Chance on Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:48 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Dave Chance
Joined: 30 May 2011
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by Dave Chance on Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:49 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Dave Chance
Joined: 30 May 2011
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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| mushroomyakuza wrote: |
I appreciate the responses guys, but all due respect, you're kind of giving me rhetoric without reasoning to an extent. "You'd be crazy to come here" - okay, but why? Pablo, you lived in Japan for five years so you are in some position to say why. If you dislike Korea (I doubt that, but your post seems quite negative?) why did you not return to Japan?
Comparing food, I am probably not your typical customer - I can't stand sushi, have a general dislike of ramen and yaki soba, tolerate curry rice and love okonomiyaki. By all means, this may make me uncultured when it comes to food, but I like what I like, and Japan didn't have much of it. I lost a fair amount of weight out there in fact. Generally, I prefer Korean cuisine. I love kimchi. Small details, perhaps, but worth mentioning I thought.
In reply to Dave Chance's post, I do enjoy a challenge, and this is actually what I'm looking for after getting to a point at my eikaiwa where I could flip open a textbook, glance at it for about ten seconds and immediately know what I'm doing for my lesson. A comfortable life maybe, but monotonous and dull after a while.
Also, culturally, I'm not that sophisticated either, so that shouldn't be much of an issue. That said, I'd like to know more on exactly what you mean in this regard. If you're comparing Japanese history/traditional culture against Korea's and the importance weighed upon it, this honestly doesn't bother me in the least. This may be blasphemy, but I never had much interest in the traditional Japan and am far more of a modern, city creature. Self-confessed pleb right here.
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Ok, you've hit the wall in the eikaiwa experience, where everyday just the same grinding monotony, yeah I remember that.
Well, Korea or China would offer you those new challenges.
In terms of cultural sophistication, I meant not only the buildings or traditional culture, but also the sophisitcation of the living culture. Japan city living has a lot of ingenuous little touches whereas Seoul is basically a glorified country town in comparison to Tokyo. But some people like the obviousness of Seoul. It is easier to grasp and get around in. |
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JustinC
Joined: 10 Mar 2012
Location: We Are The World!
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Wow, I must be still drunk as I'm see quadruple. |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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| lemak wrote: |
Were I in your situation personally I'd bypass Korea altogether and head straight for China. Light years ahead of the ROK in terms of culture and history, world-class food, and far more open and welcoming people.
Each to their own, but in my book for the most part teaching in China and the general living environment here absolutely blows Korea out of the water.
*If you have a specific reason that you MUST go to Korea, or personal reasons why you DON'T want to go to the PRC then feel free to disregard* |
Yes, yes, yes. I liked my time in the ROK, but China is so much better. |
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nicwr2002
Joined: 17 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 10:20 pm Post subject: Re: Hi |
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| viciousdinosaur wrote: |
| nicwr2002 wrote: |
| As far as historical buildings and sight seeing, Japan has the upper hand there, but only because Japan destroyed Korea back in the war so there isn't much to look at historically. |
Wow, you are really showing your ignorance there. Japan and Korea didn't have a war. Japan occupied Korea without firing a single shot. And far from destroying things, they actually built a lot. The first Pyungyang to Busan railroad, which is now Line 1 of the subway, Seoul City Hall, Seoul Station, the first bridge over the Han, etc...The war, which was between China and America, destroyed the bridge, deforested a lot of hills, but didn't really destroy that many historical sites. The palace still stands, and so does most of what was around in 1910, aside from the straw-thatched houses.
| nicwr2002 wrote: |
Lastly, Korea is on the way up I think, while Japan is pretty stagnant in growth and with eikaiwa jobs shrinking and becoming more competitive, Korea would be better, in my opinion. |
Now I know you don't live in Korea and are just trolling. The number of people in Korea on E2 visas has dropped by 1,500 in the past two years. A low-birth rate and slow economic growth is turning Korea into the next Japan already. |
I think you took my words and molded them into what you believe without thinking clearly about what was being stated. Yes, Japan ravaged a lot of the landscape and built "their own" buildings as replacements. So, if someone is looking for a traditional palace or buddhist temple then they will be hard pressed to find an original building unlike Japan. The last original gate was destroyed by arson back in 2008? I believe. Now, granted Chinese and Russian did a lot to destroy the landscape of Korea which is why I don't understand why Koreans aren't more upset with them than Japan, because if it wasn't for China stepping in and stopping America from pushing the Russians out, the Koreas would be one country now.
As far as Korea is on the way up, was that was meant for the economy. The situation for foreigners economically is better in Korea, with housing and airfare. Airfare being the kicker in my opinion with the way gas prices and flying back home have skyrocketed. If you go to Japan from America you need to have saved around 5K or more to just make it the first month and half before you get paid. |
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Kimchifart
Joined: 15 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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| lemak wrote: |
Were I in your situation personally I'd bypass Korea altogether and head straight for China. Light years ahead of the ROK in terms of culture and history, world-class food, and far more open and welcoming people.
If money isn't a huge issue and you're interested in learning about the place, the language and exploring then get a university job. 12 hours or so teaching a week, but the pay is pretty average. Good if you have some savings already from Japan.
If you want to make cash grab one of the private school jobs somewhere like Wall Street and you can actually make more $ than a public school in Korea.
Each to their own, but in my book for the most part teaching in China and the general living environment here absolutely blows Korea out of the water.
*If you have a specific reason that you MUST go to Korea, or personal reasons why you DON'T want to go to the PRC then feel free to disregard* |
I've heard China has some of Korea's problems x 100 e.g. environmental/professional incompetence/driving. It's true about many Chinese people being more open to friendship/discussion though, that's definitely a Korean culture specific issue.
A friend of mine moved there from Korea and in his first week saw some workmen catch the university's stray dog, smash its head against a sink until it died and eat it. He did a runner two days later. That was in the boonies though.
He also had an open human waste system in one part of his apartment that hadn't been completed. |
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mushroomyakuza
Joined: 20 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:01 am Post subject: |
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| viciousdinosaur wrote: |
Negative Nancy is here
1) If you are sort of white tras (as your self-described) maybe Korea would be good for you |
Yes, that's exactly how I'd describe myself. I enjoy eating mayonnaise sandwiches and fornication with my sister. Seriously, just because I'm not gushing over history and what's liberally called 'culture' doesn't automatically make me white trash but thanks for the information and condescending tone.
Perhaps I am simply ignorant - admittedly very possible and I've been brain washed by the Internet - but I was under the impression Seoul at least (and to a lesser extent Busan) are pretty modern, well-developed cities. Some of the impressions on here seem to cast it in a almost undeveloped light? Feel free to affirm or contradict.
Some of you seem to have a lot of good things to say about China, wondering if you speak from personal experience or second hand accounts? |
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Brooks
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:44 am Post subject: |
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I work in Japan and have been to Korea five times.
Well, I think I prefer Korean food. I got tired of Japanese food. Too much fish, natto, etc. |
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viciousdinosaur
Joined: 30 Apr 2012
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| Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 4:09 am Post subject: Re: Hi |
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| nicwr2002 wrote: |
| viciousdinosaur wrote: |
| nicwr2002 wrote: |
| As far as historical buildings and sight seeing, Japan has the upper hand there, but only because Japan destroyed Korea back in the war so there isn't much to look at historically. |
Wow, you are really showing your ignorance there. Japan and Korea didn't have a war. Japan occupied Korea without firing a single shot. And far from destroying things, they actually built a lot. The first Pyungyang to Busan railroad, which is now Line 1 of the subway, Seoul City Hall, Seoul Station, the first bridge over the Han, etc...The war, which was between China and America, destroyed the bridge, deforested a lot of hills, but didn't really destroy that many historical sites. The palace still stands, and so does most of what was around in 1910, aside from the straw-thatched houses.
| nicwr2002 wrote: |
Lastly, Korea is on the way up I think, while Japan is pretty stagnant in growth and with eikaiwa jobs shrinking and becoming more competitive, Korea would be better, in my opinion. |
Now I know you don't live in Korea and are just trolling. The number of people in Korea on E2 visas has dropped by 1,500 in the past two years. A low-birth rate and slow economic growth is turning Korea into the next Japan already. |
I think you took my words and molded them into what you believe without thinking clearly about what was being stated. Yes, Japan ravaged a lot of the landscape and built "their own" buildings as replacements. So, if someone is looking for a traditional palace or buddhist temple then they will be hard pressed to find an original building unlike Japan. The last original gate was destroyed by arson back in 2008? I believe. Now, granted Chinese and Russian did a lot to destroy the landscape of Korea which is why I don't understand why Koreans aren't more upset with them than Japan, because if it wasn't for China stepping in and stopping America from pushing the Russians out, the Koreas would be one country now.
As far as Korea is on the way up, was that was meant for the economy. The situation for foreigners economically is better in Korea, with housing and airfare. Airfare being the kicker in my opinion with the way gas prices and flying back home have skyrocketed. If you go to Japan from America you need to have saved around 5K or more to just make it the first month and half before you get paid. |
I'm not misinterpreting anything you said. You made totally false statements and I'm calling you out on it.
Was Korea's last war with Japan? No it wasn't. It was with North Korea then China. The Japanese occupation was not the result of armed conflict.
You said that the ONLY reason Japan has the upper-hand is the lost of buildings under Japanese rule. Again this is false anyway that you slice it. Let's say that all the all the palaces of Seoul were just as they were in 1910. (They would be more expansive and take up most of downtown Seoul). That still wouldn't be enough to compete with Japan. Korea's palaces just aren't that impressive. They are more like really large Chinese-style homes. Their architectural style is monotone and single-noted and it's not even their design, it's Chinese. And there buildings are not impressively tall or well-built. The walls of Osaka castle alone are more impressive than anything in Korea. Add in Himiji castle and the cornucopia of unique temples spread across the country and it's not even a contest.
You said Korea is on the way up. Again, totally false. In no way can you characterize the Korean market as being on an upward swing. Pay is stagnant or falling. Schools are losing kids and some are closing. There are less position available. And the plane ticket you talk about is not as common as it once was. Korea hit it's peak about 5 years ago and now it's in a gentle decline.
There's no way for you to candy coat it. Those three statements I singled out by you are just totally false. |
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mnjetter
Joined: 21 Feb 2012
Location: Seoul, S. Korea
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| Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 5:31 am Post subject: |
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Putting in my two cents.
I lived in Japan for three years, and have now been in Korea for over one year.
I don't think it's really fair for me to make direct comparisons between the two experiences, because I lived in a very rural area of Japan, and in Korea, I'm in central Seoul. But I do feel confident in saying that I loved living in Japan, and I like living in Korea very much. Honestly, I had a better experience in Japan, but I can attribute most of that to the fact that I'm not a city girl at heart.
As for specifics, here are a few from my POV. I'm not saying they are universally true, and most of them are based on my opinions and may not be the same for you. But I got the feeling from the OP that you're looking for personal input, so here's mine:
1) I personally like Japanese food (real Japanese food that people cook at home, not ramen and sushi and yakiniku) better than Korean food, but I like Korean (again, real) food pretty well, and I do like the quality of non-Korean food in Seoul better than I liked the quality of non-Japanese food anywhere I visited in Japan.
2) The price of transportation is awesome here. You can get from one end of the city to the other in a taxi for under thirty bucks.
3) In Korea, I must admit that I have noticed issues with organization and general forethought in the workplace. My boyfriend (a research scientist at a top university here) has noticed it too, most notably when it comes to anticipating the needs of customers or visiting scholars. But people are generally friendly and try to help if you bring issues to their attention. I do echo the sentiment from previous posts that Korea is not a place for the detail-oriented.
4) It's more difficult to get plus-sized clothing here than in Japan. This might not be a worry for you. I was able to go to most department stores in Japan, even in the rural areas, and find a limited selection of clothes. Here in Korea, I have looked at department stores, but I seem to be relegated to browsing the sizeable but generally meh-looking selection at western outlet stores near the U.S. military base.
5) Beer is about the same in both countries. If you like Asahi and Sapporo and Kirin, you'll be satisfied with Cass and Hite and such. If you're an aficionado, you can find places where (for a few extra bucks) you can get something with flavor.
6) Fried chicken is delicious here, but it's everywhere.
7) You'll find a touch more nationalistic fervor here. I won't qualify that with a "good" or "bad" marker, being from the United States myself, where the nationalistic myopia is even worse. But there is definitely a more desperate flavor to it here than there was in Japan. (note: I am speaking in general terms, from the attitudes I find in school textbooks and media programs, and have yet to meet any individuals who echo it to the same degree)
 Seoul is full of parks and places where you can hike and bike. I only spent a little time in Tokyo, but I'm pretty sure that Seoul has more "natural" nature, simply by virtue of it not being quite such a massive metro area.
9) Don't take a job for under 2.1M won per month. If you're an experienced and qualified teacher, you should be able to expect at least 2.2 to 2.4 plus housing.
Anyway, those are my random thoughts. It sounds like you're ready for a change from Japan, so you might really enjoy yourself here. Especially if you already like kimchi. It took me a while, to acquire a taste for red chilis, but I've come around. [/i] |
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Yaya
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Uh, Japanese beer is WAY better than the crap called Korean beer. |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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Since you're considering the public school system in Korea, I think your move from Japan to Korea will be a safe one. Be very careful about giving up your Japanese job for a Hagwon though. At any rate you could easily just go back to Japan and land another job there.
Personally I worked at a public school job in Korea and it left me with very fond memories of Korea. The people are generally good hearted, the food is very good, even though the dishes tend to be similar and the same. You will probably be able to save more money, things are less expensive in Korea (except for maybe electronics  ). |
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