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goreality
Joined: 09 Jul 2009
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 Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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A home-stay is good if you actually want to learn the language and the culture within a 12 month period.
These k-pop loving foreigners usually do well here. When and if they crash, it is a little funnier though. |
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dairyairy
Joined: 17 May 2012
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 12:54 am Post subject: |
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| PRagic wrote: |
Kind of a joke. Wonder what they think once they get here and meet the myriad waygook over here doing the same job with better perks (who the heck wants a homestay at 22?) and less hastles.
Guess that it makes doing a year of teaching a bit rosier on the ol' CV if it's backed up by a name brand 'grant', though. To each their own. |
They probably don't know about EPIK and GEPIK. But do you think they'd apply for EPIK and GEPIK if they did know about the programs? Probably not. They'd assume it's beneath them even though it's exactly what they're doing, except for that hellish home stay. Good for them. |
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alongway
Joined: 02 Jan 2012
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 1:11 am Post subject: |
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| �I know physical education is very overlooked in Korean schools,� she said, noting accounts from former teaching assistants and her own research. |
....
An american lecturing another country on their physical education... |
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T-J
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:34 am Post subject: |
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| dairyairy wrote: |
| PRagic wrote: |
Kind of a joke. Wonder what they think once they get here and meet the myriad waygook over here doing the same job with better perks (who the heck wants a homestay at 22?) and less hastles.
Guess that it makes doing a year of teaching a bit rosier on the ol' CV if it's backed up by a name brand 'grant', though. To each their own. |
They probably don't know about EPIK and GEPIK. But do you think they'd apply for EPIK and GEPIK if they did know about the programs? Probably not. They'd assume it's beneath them even though it's exactly what they're doing, except for that hellish home stay. Good for them. |
What's with the hate on the home stay?
I figure it's a huge financial benefit as well as a cultural experience.
How much is the language exposure alone worth? Add in utilities and food and it starts to look like a much better compensation package to me.
Unless of course your host family refuses to shop at Costco.  |
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dairyairy
Joined: 17 May 2012
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:29 am Post subject: |
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You would prefer a homestay? You would recommend it to newbies?
I've heard of Rotary Exchange students doing homestays, and hating them, but people with degrees from Ivy league schools who are working full-time doing homestays? But, please, inform us why it's such a stellar idea. I'll just make my shopping list for Costco while you post. |
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T-J
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:44 am Post subject: |
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Like I said, if your purpose is to experience Korean life, culture, and pick up some language, then by all means yes I would recommend it. I lived in a 하숙집 for two years and it was one of the best experiences I've had in Korea. Not quite a home stay but the breakfast and dinners with the family that ran the place and living with other uni students was a great experience.
Financially I think there are benefits as well.
If however, your idea of experiencing Korea is from within the expat bubble and your life revolves around Costco's latest western offerings, then no it's probably not the choice you want to make.
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dairyairy
Joined: 17 May 2012
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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You can experience plenty of Korean culture and learn the Korean language while living in your own apartment. Be honest and admit that people who graduate from top universities and are working full-time should be living on their own and experiencing Korean culture on their own. A homestay is not what they need.
This is not the "TALK" program. These people were, and still are, in some cases, top students and they can function nicely on their own. For someone like that a homestay is unnecessary can certainly become a hellish situation. |
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Janny
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Location: all over the place
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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She is in for a world of shock and disillusion.
She's going to get her heart broken. (I'm not speaking romantically.)
Still ....that's life. |
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dairyairy
Joined: 17 May 2012
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Even if she loves the homestay, which would be tough for an entire year, the fact is that she's going to do the same job as teachers in EPIK and GEPIK without the same financial benefits. Someone can "love Korea and its culture" and still get paid for the work they do. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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| dairyairy wrote: |
You can experience plenty of Korean culture and learn the Korean language while living in your own apartment. Be honest and admit that people who graduate from top universities and are working full-time should be living on their own and experiencing Korean culture on their own. A homestay is not what they need.
This is not the "TALK" program. These people were, and still are, in some cases, top students and they can function nicely on their own. For someone like that a homestay is unnecessary can certainly become a hellish situation. |
Funny, people who think living on their own in an apartment, free to indulge in whatever vices they chose, seem to believe themselves well adjusted because of their "independence".
However, my experience dictates that people who are able to be comfortable in family situations, either with their own or with something like a homestay, have a far greater tendency to be well-adjusted. One should not fear or disdain living around and interacting with children, older adults, and the elderly.
In theory, the opportunity to be around people of a culture of all ages, as a family setting provides, and getting to observe and interact with that foundational element of society and culture should far outweigh any drawbacks.
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She is in for a world of shock and disillusion.
She's going to get her heart broken. (I'm not speaking romantically.)
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Yes, because EVERY person who comes to Korea has a terrible experience.
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| the fact is that she's going to do the same job as teachers in EPIK and GEPIK without the same financial benefits. |
Wait, but aren't we the ones who talk about somethings being more important than money and routinely criticize the blind pursuit of money that the locals engage in? |
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T-J
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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| dairyairy wrote: |
| Even if she loves the homestay, which would be tough for an entire year, the fact is that she's going to do the same job as teachers in EPIK and GEPIK without the same financial benefits. Someone can "love Korea and its culture" and still get paid for the work they do. |
Again, the pay (1.7m) is pretty comparable before factoring in food and utilities, more so after. It's also my understanding that teachers aides in this program have less desk warming and more vacation time than other GETs.
Again, I don't think this would be for everyone. But if the cultural and language experience is what you're seeking then I don't know how you can compare the experience of a one year home stay with even the best intentioned person living on their own.
How many people have been here for years and never participated in or attended a 첫돌, 결혼식, 회갑식, 제사, 설날, 한가위, let alone their first year? Not even mentioning all the little day to day things that can be learned or experienced that the typical GET will never experience.
Maybe your independence is more valuable to you than experiencing Korean family life and culture first hand and that's probably true for the majority of foreigners who come here. But for those that are interested in experiencing that the home stay option can't be beat in my opinion.
The simple fact that expats who have been here for years and so quickly and dismissively label it a bad idea shows how little you've actually scratched the surface of the culture that surrounds you.
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andrewchon
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Location: Back in Oz. Living in ISIS Aust.
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| Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 1:50 am Post subject: |
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| javis wrote: |
She sounds way overqualified for that gig.  |
Don't challenge the Tiger Ajummas. |
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dairyairy
Joined: 17 May 2012
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:23 am Post subject: |
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| T-J wrote: |
| dairyairy wrote: |
| Even if she loves the homestay, which would be tough for an entire year, the fact is that she's going to do the same job as teachers in EPIK and GEPIK without the same financial benefits. Someone can "love Korea and its culture" and still get paid for the work they do. |
Again, the pay (1.7m) is pretty comparable before factoring in food and utilities, more so after. It's also my understanding that teachers aides in this program have less desk warming and more vacation time than other GETs.
Again, I don't think this would be for everyone. But if the cultural and language experience is what you're seeking then I don't know how you can compare the experience of a one year home stay with even the best intentioned person living on their own.
How many people have been here for years and never participated in or attended a 첫돌, 결혼식, 회갑식, 제사, 설날, 한가위, let alone their first year? Not even mentioning all the little day to day things that can be learned or experienced that the typical GET will never experience.
Maybe your independence is more valuable to you than experiencing Korean family life and culture first hand and that's probably true for the majority of foreigners who come here. But for those that are interested in experiencing that the home stay option can't be beat in my opinion.
The simple fact that expats who have been here for years and so quickly and dismissively label it a bad idea shows how little you've actually scratched the surface of the culture that surrounds you.
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If you live with people for a year the charm wears off. They may show you around for a couple weeks but eventually you will still have to do most of your exploration by yourself, or with outside friends. I know that the Koreans that I have worked with have mainly been homebodies during their time off, while I, along with friends, have visited many Korean cultural sites and landmarks. |
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alongway
Joined: 02 Jan 2012
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| Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 4:53 am Post subject: |
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| Plus you have the burden of living in other people's space for that long. A month tops, might be okay. But beyond that, people tend to be more comfortable in space they own or at least have a say in. |
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Seoulman69
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:15 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| However, my experience dictates that people who are able to be comfortable in family situations, either with their own or with something like a homestay, have a far greater tendency to be well-adjusted. One should not fear or disdain living around and interacting with children, older adults, and the elderly. |
I don't think I could stay with a family I didn't know for a year. I'm used to having my own space. There comes a time when you should leave the nest and start your own life. I would consider a home stay a step in the wrong direction. I wouldn't want to live with my parents any more and living with a couple of kids I'm not related to sounds hellish.
Maybe the fact she is much younger than I am will make it easier for her. |
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