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Returning to Korea...6 years later?
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Jeweltone



Joined: 29 Mar 2005
Location: Seoul, S. Korea

PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 4:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sirius black wrote:
1. Uni gigs are still on average the better gigs.
2. 6 years is long enough all is forgiven. I think, not 100 percent sure but there is a 2 year wait before you can come back after a runner.
3. No idea. You may want to see if your American medical people have any referrals or even find Korean American doctors who may have info about GIs in Korea.

My guess is you'll be fine workwise. In terms of social conditions, there has been a few changes. Its up to you and how you are as a person to determine if the Koera of 2013 is your taste. My guess is you'll be okay. Lilke some things, not others. Medical issues aside, you're worryiing too much.


Thanks sirius black for a useful response.

RE #1: Sound like the jury is out on this one. Long hours don't bother me; I actually prefer it. Cool

RE #2: I didn't pull a runner; I used correct channels of communication (doctor's report, a proper resignation letter, letting my students know, etc.). That said, I'm sure the school and my collagues weren't very happy with me! But when you start seeing a warm fuzzy bright white light Shocked ...it's time to go.

RE #3: I have learned to deal with my GI issues; I just need someone in Korea to administer the meds and not futz around with the dose. The interesting part will be trying to explain why I need a low dose of a common antidepressant to make my stomach work correctly, rather than for being mentally unbalanced . Aside from being a bit overweight - due to the GI issues, not my diet or being lazy, btw - I am in very good health. I will check with my Korean contacts here for a referral.

PS. New York City still smells like a latrine, and San Francisco smells like weed and B.O. Every city has a smell. Laughing

Anyone else want to weigh in on the questions?
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misher



Joined: 14 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 5:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Take all the doom and gloom with a grain of salt. While some of it does have merit, decent uni jobs are still there for the extremely qualified. First OP, you have experience, second, you have a RELEVANT MA coming from I'm assuming a good US uni? Your age won't hurt you either. As long as you aren't getting into your forties your age won't hurt you.

Most Uni EFL conversation teachers in Korea don't even have a relevant MA or real uni/foundation program/ESP/EAP teaching experience anyway. They just rode the uni gravy train and their luck has run out IMO.

I just graduated with 2 guys that got offers from from Sogang and KAIST for the standard 12-14 hour a week/4 office hour/5 month vacation contracts that are fewer, but still out there. They did however graduate from a top US uni ( top 10 I believe ) with a relevant MA.

Apply around and you could probably get something better than a lot of korean uni lifers IMO.
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Waygeek



Joined: 27 Feb 2013

PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 6:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smithington wrote:
threatening to beat up posters


The only theme I see is that you're a pathological liar and a troll. Got anything on-topic to discuss? No? Then go away.
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3DR



Joined: 24 May 2009

PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 7:21 pm    Post subject: Re: Returning to Korea...6 years later? Reply with quote

augustine wrote:
Waygeek wrote:
Only racist morons think otherwise.


You're just naive and probably a biased gyopo using BS heated terms to shut down an argument. Technologically Korea is undoubtedly a first world country, but culturally they're pretty far behind and don't seem to be coping well; drinking cheap poison like whackos, passing out in the street, killing themselves like crazy, working insane hours and being a pretty miserable group of people overall... there are some serious problems here.


Unlike those utopian western countries like South Africa and USA where people are safe, little to no crime, no gangs....oh wait
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jeweltone wrote:
The interesting part will be trying to explain why I need a low dose of a common antidepressant to make my stomach work correctly,


If your meds are amphetamine based you will have some really fancy explaining to do since one of two things is likely (although not a certainty):

a) you will fail the drug screen at the medical exam and be required to exit since you won't get an ARC
or
b) will have told the truth on the visa/self medical app and not gotten a job in the first place.

.
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Smithington



Joined: 14 Dec 2011

PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Waygeek wrote:
Smithington wrote:
threatening to beat up posters


The only theme I see is that you're a pathological liar and a troll. Got anything on-topic to discuss? No? Then go away.


The Israel debate in the travel forum. Forget about that one monkey boy?
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Jeweltone



Joined: 29 Mar 2005
Location: Seoul, S. Korea

PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 8:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

No amphetamines:lol:

I am on 75 mg of nortriptyline; it helps with seratonin in the gut at a low dose, but acts in the brain in higher doses. It would be utterly useless for someone suffering from depression at the lower dose. The side effect is weight gain though.

The form specifically says to declare mental disorders or diseases; I have neither, so it shouldn't be a problem.
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lithium



Joined: 18 Jun 2008

PostPosted: Tue May 28, 2013 11:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am not a doctor, but maybe a little Gas-X would help with your GI issues....just saying...
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Waygeek



Joined: 27 Feb 2013

PostPosted: Tue May 28, 2013 9:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smithington wrote:
Waygeek wrote:
Smithington wrote:
threatening to beat up posters


The only theme I see is that you're a pathological liar and a troll. Got anything on-topic to discuss? No? Then go away.


The Israel debate in the travel forum. Forget about that one monkey boy?


Nope.

3DR wrote:
augustine wrote:
Waygeek wrote:
Only racist morons think otherwise.


You're just naive and probably a biased gyopo using BS heated terms to shut down an argument. Technologically Korea is undoubtedly a first world country, but culturally they're pretty far behind and don't seem to be coping well; drinking cheap poison like whackos, passing out in the street, killing themselves like crazy, working insane hours and being a pretty miserable group of people overall... there are some serious problems here.


Unlike those utopian western countries like South Africa and USA where people are safe, little to no crime, no gangs....oh wait


Exactly bud!!
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Jeweltone



Joined: 29 Mar 2005
Location: Seoul, S. Korea

PostPosted: Tue May 28, 2013 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

lithium you cracked me up! If only it were that simple Laughing

If gas were the problem, I think I could have gassed my own plane home at that point, though... Cool - not a problem now, thank goodness. GI disorders are not very sexy, are they? But I at least can laugh about it now - not so funny when you are balled up in the fetal position next to the porcelain goddess, though.

No, I have some nerve damage from a nasty stomach super-flu that went around Hwaseong-si - which, incidentally, sent about a third of my poor students to the hospital with some serious, and in one case almost lethal, complications.

I have applied for two positions in Korea so far; I am also applying in the USA. Whichever one comes out first wins...I leave it in God's hands.

Any other advice?
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