Korean Job Discussion Forums

[byrddogs]

I went back a couple of times (left in 2010 after 5 years in). As much as I enjoyed the place while living there, it became even more clear to me why I left. I've really no desire to return again.

[littlelisa]

Left in 2008, but even then planned to come back. Came back in 2009, and still here.

[PatrickGHBusan]

A good variety of responses. Pretty interesting.

[crazylemongirl]

Arrive 2003 left Korea in 2007 was back for a few years in 2010

[PatrickGHBusan]

hey nice to see you again crazylemongirl!

[crazylemongirl]

for some reason felt the need to log onto to daves!

[PatrickGHBusan]

Glad you did!

[Jodami]

Left almost a year ago with a shedload of money.

Money made, and all of it transferred out of the country. No reason to ever return!

[mgafunnell]

I was there in '04-'05 and haven't been back since. Honestly, once was enough. However, I am going to the DRPK next month.

[augustine]

I lived in Seoul for two years and four months to the day, and left two and a half months ago, I believe. I've also stated many times before that there is no way in hell I would've stayed there more than the initial four months if I hadn't kept getting four hour on site/day with zero oversight AS jobs handed to me, due to my dashing, young Bill Pullman looks . But, after that, life was easy in Korea and I enjoyed it. I lived in the only area I would willingly, had a nice apartment in my name, made some interesting friends, had ridiculous "jobs", and basically did whatever I wanted to do. In and out.

However, it's a bland place and you take a hit no matter what living among such dreary, mindless natives, or some of the lifers who are content hiding out in that frigid little country in the far corner of the world for such a long period of time. Korea was great to me but it's so culturally medieval and immaturely self-stunted in so many ways, I mostly just feel bad for the people when I get into it. Such a rigid environment. Even though I was shielded from most of the shit people hate about korea, it's so much better transitioning to a relaxed place like Mexico. Where I have a pantie dropping pad in what feels like a Madrid suburb, a mexican whole foods with an unlimited variety of everything two blocks away, that also contains a tapas bar and a juice station with all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetable juices on the cheap. And drugs. Oh, sweet drugs. It's great though, the lifestyle is so much more open and conducive to existing happily; I also haven't drank in weeks, which seems like it would have been impossible in Korea. Plus, everyone's borderline psycho friendly; my neighbors always bring me casseroles, fruit, tea etc., I hang out with a bunch of mexican yuppie actors from the hood who are always looking to hook me up with girls and more drugs; but people actually seem to enjoy their lives here, singing and dancing in the street, being super welcome and friendly. It's a drastically different experience.

Anyway, as someone who's been to what should be around 50 countries, I don't hesitate calling the hermit kingdom a really strange place full of semi-programmed oddballs. I had a perfect set up, good jobs, friends, lady friends etc., but it was about time to get back to what is the real world in my life... or will be, as soon as these sacs run out. I don't see myself returning to korea ever unless it's necessary or convenient. The amount of nicer, more enjoyable places to live is almost infinite.

[chrisinkorea2011]

[World Traveler]

Gypo Chris, you sound like a crab in the bucket hater. To answer your question, no, he and IPIC were e-enemies, remember?

[ThePoet]

[Numpty]

I first arrived for a visit in 2001 to decide if I wanted to put in a year living in such a different culture, decided I did then finished my degree and lived in Korea teaching from 2003 - 2007. Have visited Korea almost every year since, missing only Christmas 2012. I still want to return to live and teach again...

One of the BIG differences between me and most of the teachers I've met in Korea is that I have many Korean friends from university and flatting before I even arrived in Korea to teach. Some of them are my best friends and I miss being able to meet all of them often. I have more Korean friends after living in Korea including some of my old students I meet when I return on holiday.

Korea is far from being a boring place with only one-dimensional people and boring food. From my position of being a high school teacher in my home country with a stable and secure job I just want to quit my job, rent out my house and return to Korea to enjoy teaching again.

[I'm With You]

Korea elicits the strongest emotions from any TEFL teachers I've ever met. You never hear the harsh, nasty, vitriol from people working in Japan, Taiwan, or China like you do from people who teach or who have taught in Korea.

I know many people who will never set foot in Korea again or even want to have anything to do with Koreans. You don't get these kinds of strong responses from TEFL teachers in neighboring countries. I also know people who left after 7 or 8 years and, looking back, feel that they should have left earlier; that they stayed too long.

Someone here once posted something like: Living in Korea is like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer - it feels so good when you stop!