Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mck17]

hi,

So my partner and I are half way through our Korean school contract and have been asked to resign a new contract.

However we are thinking of trying a new country before moving back to Australia.

Anyone have any advice on other esl countries?
We have both lived in Thailand teaching but want somewhere we can save some money as well as we will be buying a house once back in Australia.

We would love to go to the UAE however we are not married and I have heard it would not be possible.

Any experience or advice would be appreciated !!!

[andrewchon]

Then why not get married? (disregard q if you are a same-sex couple)

[mck17]

We don't fancy getting married just for the sake of a job... Would be much easier just to try a different country!

[Janny]

I was in Korea for 8 years. I went back to Canada for a couple years and was consistently under-employed (I'm a certified teacher). Went back into debt.

I'm in Shanghai now. It was a risk, since I wasn't all that happy in Korea. But I can report with 100% stones that it is NOT like Korea at all.

I am respected at work and left alone on the streets. Treated fairly day-to-day in all situations. In my little neighborhood, I'm surrounded by happy families and a sense of community that I've never before experienced. Just walking home with some groceries after a full, satisfying day at school is a pleasure.

Honestly. Try China.

[mck17]

Wow thanks!!!

Yes after living in Thailand I don't feel as welcome in Korea... We both want something exactly as you described.
Only thing take put us of China was the low wages and I've heard there are a lot of scam jobs?
If you don't mind me asking... How did you get your job? Is it public or private?

[Janny]

Sure.

I fell into my job quite by chance, as my close friend was leaving the position and I was able to fill it before they even started looking. It's a private institute, similar to a Korean hagwan (offering after-school lessons and heavy on the weekends. I have Mon and Tuesdays off).

I did also get some hits using Dave's Job Search site, here.

The quoted salaries are lower than Korea. But the trade-offs are justifiable, as I mentioned in the previous post. Korean jobs offer flight, higher salary and housing for a reason: it sucks to live there!

I have a monthly stipend which covers my rent, and I am clearing 2400 Canadian dollars / month. I anticipate a healthy raise next year. My only expenses are house utilities, food and other day to day costs like transit. My flight was not paid for upfront, but I managed to talk them into it. I'm paying the school back next paycheque for that. I get the round-trip flight reimbursed after completion of one year.

If you're offering good credentials and a great Skype interview (looks count, and energy: this point being similar to Korea as well...a business needs to SELL classes and the expat teacher is selling point #1) then you can negotiate anything.

I've been told that the Korea-like frustrations (giggling, sophomoric ego posturing, lack of courtesy, staring, unnecessary ambient noise) can be found in smaller cities of China. But here in Shanghai...life is good.

[mck17]

Wow sounds great!!!any jobs going for next year haha!!

Thanks. For your advice.... Every time I have asked someone about China its a friend of a friend that they knew once back.... Good to get first hand feedback!!!

[Janny]

Give it a shot. China's booming for English teachers.

Downsides: POLLUTION! It's bad. And prices for everything in Shanghai is only slightly lower than Canada, which is not saying much (everything is high in Canada). The shopping is fantastic. Yes, that's a downside

[Ginormousaurus]

I wish I lived in Shanghai.

[mck17]

[quote="Janny"] Give it a shot. China's booming for English teachers.

Downsides: POLLUTION! It's bad. And prices for everything in Shanghai is only slightly lower than Canada, which is not saying much (everything is high in Canada). The shopping is fantastic. Yes, that's a downside [/quote]

SOLD!!!

[joelove]

Check out the China or other country forums. Sign up if you need to (China has a hidden off-topic forum you need to be signed in for).

[Ginormousaurus]

[wes1989]

[davai!]

you could try Saudi Arabia. you can figure out ways to be together there. esp. if they put you in hotels

[Gravity Wins]