Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DorkothyParker]

I taught for a couple years in Bucheon & Jeju and it was more or less nice with the usual frustrations for foreigners.

Upon return to the US, my husband and I (both American) promptly got pregnant and had a little girl. She's just under 2 years old.

I feel that we did not settle in the correct city for us (returned home, forgot about all the static things we dislike). I think it would be beneficial to re-set and move again. However, with our current cost of living/wages, it is almost impossible to save here.

Does anyone have non-Korean children living in Korea with them? My husband would be able to be a SAHD as we had no difficulties paying past debts as well as saving before in Korea on a single income. Our daughter is also not yet to pre-school age so no worries about her enrolling or not fitting in due to the language barrier.

I would love to hear the experiences of others with non-Korean children living in their household. (I recognize those married to Korean citizens or being Korean citizens themselves would have different job/living options than us wee kindy teachers). Thanks.

[Sesame]

sounds like a disaster waiting to happen living off one income.

[Captain Corea]

There are a lot of expat parents group on FB that have this theme.

FWIW, I'm mostly a SAHD here, and I dig it.

[ttompatz]

Our daughter was born in Korea.
She is 8 now.
Neither one of us (wife or myself) is Korean.
We are a single income family.

It has never been an issue (other than airline ticket prices).

People generally treat her well.
She was treated like a princess at our (Korean public) school by students and staff.

The family has since relocated to Thailand and it is still not an issue.
She does well in school. Her academics are on par with her cousins at home in the STEM subjects, and she is quadrilingual in speaking and trilingual in reading and writing.

Anyone who tells you otherwise likely doesn't have kids.

.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

We are a mixed couple (Korean and Canadian), our son here goes to a great kindergarten. I think your child will be fine. Our son gets a subsidy because he's Korean, so I'm not sure the price for a non-citizen, but I'd guess around $400 per month.

I'd be more worried about you husband staying at home all day. I wonder if he won't get very bored.

I'd recommend you try to find two jobs, at least one being a public school job. Then send you child to kindergarten. The PS job finish at 5pm, and you can pick up you child.

Also the apartment could be an issue. An employer provided one will be too small. You might want to arrange your own.

[FDNY]

[jazzmaster]

The job market in Korea is getting worse. People are finding it harder to get jobs in Korea and some of my friends have been let go from hagwons they have worked at for years. If you have a look at the job forum you can see some posts saying as much.

My main concern is that you would all be living off of one salary, with little job security.

Also, if you wanted to stay in Korea, long term, then you would need your child to learn Korean to a high level, or send her to an international school. Sending her to an international skill on a hagwon salary would be impossible.

If you are a qualified teacher then I suggest looking for work at international schools. If you're looking for an escape from your current situation in the USA then I'd suggest a rethink regarding coming to Korea. The possible pitfalls would put me off.

Whatever your decision, I wish you the best of luck in the future.

[Yaya]