Korean Job Discussion Forums

[3DR]

This is ridiculous...there are racists everywhere. In my country America, I constantly heard people telling Mexicans to go back home because they were ruining the country.

OP...I'm black, male, have several black friends who have taught here for many years, and none of us have experienced anything other than maybe someone not sitting next to us on the bus (which happens to all waygooks).

My school loves me, and are even lobbying for me right now to stay at my school (they were told I would have to change schools because of budget cuts)

My friends have similar experiences....hell, I even worked at a hagwon so don't believe the myth of all hagwons are racist.

Find a job you think you qualify for...apply...repeat until you find one that suits you.

[3DR]

[12ax7]

[shostahoosier]

To the OP

You will need to ignore the advice of a lot of people on here who aren't black. The truth is that there is discrimination but its no where near as extreme as people make it out to be.

I think what happens is that a lot of the white people that come to Korea have never experienced a situation where they have had to live as the cultural minority, and they assume that if things are going bad for them here, then people of color must have it worse. That's not really the case.

I've been here over 3 years and my community treats me very well. I heard that before I came, many of the moms were worried about having a black teacher because they were scared. After my first year the parents were my strongest supporters when the province wanted to cut my position.

I'm leaving my school and the parents had no problem interviewing and hiring another minority.

I do suggest that you do try to sugarcoat things when asked why you want to work here. If you're too stubborn to be polite, then you won't do well here.

Good luck and do join the group "Brothas and Sistas of South Korea" for more accurate information.

[Paddycakes]

[HeatherG]

Excuse me for changing the topic somewhat, but does "waygook" simply mean "foreigner," or is it a derogatory term?

[schwa]

[littletelly94]

[Weigookin74]

[Weigookin74]

EPIK seems to hire all races and body types with little discimination compared to before. If there's any discrimination remaining, it might be that I rarely see any older candidates anymore (40's to 60's). But that might be actual discrimination or that not many are applying and going elsewhere instead. Hard to say.

[I-am-me]

Koreans living in America and Koreans in Korea are very distinct. Koreans in America dont have the social pressures to conform like they do here and the strict social hierarchy. Koreans in America have found more individuality. Hence, more acceptance of others. I agree that if you apply with a hagwon, you will find it a bit harder. I have had previous hagwon co-workers specifically ask me for "non black" teachers. Public schools are more accepting through Gepik and Epik. I've been here a long time and the number of black teachers has increased since I began. I think you have a better chance now than before to get hired. Korea is slowly changing.

[tran.huongthu]

Pullout the race-card it works every damn time.

[jvalmer]

For most white people here, it's the first time they really have encountered any kind of discrimination. But for the most part it's extremely minor stuff.

Koreans don't have most of the history associated with racism that is present in the west. Most of their stereotypes come mostly from American TV, the US army and movies. If they actually met a black person, possibly you, you can do a lot to help them learn more about you as a person. And help them dispel a lot of the notions they have about blacks that come from American mass media.

[oceanhue]

Thanks for the help everyone.