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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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 Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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| allovertheplace wrote: |
One of the worst things about teaching in Korea were the vacation days. The vacations themselves were great but getting 10 days off per year and 3 sicks days was one of the single worst things.
Boracay was great 8 years ago - looks pretty iffy now. |
I had thought about a vacation there but read there's green algae from pollution washing up on the beaches. So guess Borocay, it's not. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 2:35 am Post subject: |
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| Mr. BlackCat wrote: |
Just serious LOLZ at all these posts bemoaning people not caring enough about their jobs and looking forward to vacation. Guess what kids, 95% of people back in your home countries don't really care about their jobs and look forward to their vacations. I know it seems shocking that most people in the world don't actually love their jobs and do them for money instead of some innate dedication to filing papers since everyone on this forum is such an amazing and fantastic teacher.
As for Korean PS teachers being upset that so many foreigners just lazily download a lesson and go through the motions, I'll have to remember that the next time my CT is snoring away at the back of the class (if she bothers to show up). And if she thinks I have too much vacation, it's probably because she had time to think about it as she had this whole summer break off while I was here doing camps that I prepared and carried out all on my own.
Honestly guys, where is this magical land where everyone cares so deeply about their jobs and vacation is an afterthought, especially for 22 year olds? It certainly isn't anywhere I've been.
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Have to agree with BC here. Looking forward to vacation and going through the motions describes most people out there. If some foreign teachers are mailing it in after finding a groove, well that's most workers.
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| Either way, the idea of coming to Korea to get out of Korea, or to exist primarily on islands of foreignness - the local foreigner bar, Itaewon, Hongdae, Mud Fest - seems a real waste. Korea Sparkling may be a load of shit, but you have more to gain by embracing your time there, however long or short, than you do by waiting for your next tropical vacation. If you need the tropics that badly, get yourself a CELTA and teach in Vietnam. |
This is true too. |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 2:45 am Post subject: |
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Vacations for a teacher of Koreans in a different country will go like this over the course of this term.
Beijing for 4-5 days for Chuseok
Jilin Province for a week in October
USA for up to 5 weeks or more in Jan/Feb
Thanks.  |
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Mr. BlackCat
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Location: Insert witty remark HERE
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 4:23 am Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
| Either way, the idea of coming to Korea to get out of Korea, or to exist primarily on islands of foreignness - the local foreigner bar, Itaewon, Hongdae, Mud Fest - seems a real waste. Korea Sparkling may be a load of shit, but you have more to gain by embracing your time there, however long or short, than you do by waiting for your next tropical vacation. If you need the tropics that badly, get yourself a CELTA and teach in Vietnam. |
Just to go along with what I posted earlier, this idea that only English teachers in Korea work all year in order to have nice vacations is sort of strange to me. I'm from Canada, and everyone there complains for 6-8 months of the year about the weather. Most do their best to escape to Florida, Cuba, Bermuda, Mexico, anywhere during that time. Yet I've never heard anyone say, "Well, if you don't like it in Canada, then why don't you just move to the Dominican Republic!" Because, duh, you wouldn't have the same opportunities down there. Same with Korea, if people had the financial means to go live on a beach then they would. People come here to pay loans or save up.
As for not immersing yourself in Korean culture, yeah been there, done that, don't want to do it again. Korea is a fine place to live as a foreigner and I really don't hate it or anything. It provides me with what I need, which is more than I can say about many other places. But frankly, I have no interest in Korean culture. The ancient culture is a bit interesting, in that I've read some cool books about it. But modern Korean culture has very little to offer me. I don't like the cut throat bbali bbali screw everyone in my way no respect for the earth or other people xenophobic hypernationalism that is rampant here. Most of the Korean 'friends' I've made here turned out just to use me and throw me away when they were done, which they tend to do to each other too. The top down, neo-Confucianism is overbearing, the last minute hysterics tiring, the immaturity of adults with the whining and puffed out chest drinking contests is ridiculous. The cities and towns and villages are all exactly the same, the food is all exactly the same, you'll find the same kinds of people everywhere. There is virtually no arts or music scene, at least nothing unique or good (yes, I've looked, gone underground, peeled back layers. It's not all K-pop, but you can really only see the same recycled 70s punk or boys in bowties so many times. It really comes off as kids playing dress up than actual art, I'd take even bad art if there was anything new about it). I really have no interest in being any more part of it than I have to be. I've been here for a while, but with sizable breaks here and there, and I absolutely need to get out of this country every 6 months or so to keep my sanity. I have to see people treat each other with some sort of respect, I need to slow down, I need diversity, I need quiet. I have no problem sheltering myself in my foreign bubble because, hey, I tried.
I feel like I should say some good things about Korea. It has great public transportation, fast internet, it is generally safe, it has reasonable drinking laws, prices for several things are good, the weather isn't great but it's not terrible in general, Seoul can be fun, the mountains are pretty in the fall and spring. Most of all I like my job for now and it pays me enough to do what I want to do. That's good enough for me for now. I wouldn't convince anyone not to come, but I would be realistic about it. Vacations are key, though. A year or two of the 10 days off in hogwans is ok, but I need much more than that now. I still don't get as much as I would like, of course, but it works. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 5:16 am Post subject: |
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| Mr. BlackCat wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
| Either way, the idea of coming to Korea to get out of Korea, or to exist primarily on islands of foreignness - the local foreigner bar, Itaewon, Hongdae, Mud Fest - seems a real waste. Korea Sparkling may be a load of shit, but you have more to gain by embracing your time there, however long or short, than you do by waiting for your next tropical vacation. If you need the tropics that badly, get yourself a CELTA and teach in Vietnam. |
Just to go along with what I posted earlier, this idea that only English teachers in Korea work all year in order to have nice vacations is sort of strange to me. I'm from Canada, and everyone there complains for 6-8 months of the year about the weather. Most do their best to escape to Florida, Cuba, Bermuda, Mexico, anywhere during that time. Yet I've never heard anyone say, "Well, if you don't like it in Canada, then why don't you just move to the Dominican Republic!" Because, duh, you wouldn't have the same opportunities down there. Same with Korea, if people had the financial means to go live on a beach then they would. People come here to pay loans or save up.
As for not immersing yourself in Korean culture, yeah been there, done that, don't want to do it again. Korea is a fine place to live as a foreigner and I really don't hate it or anything. It provides me with what I need, which is more than I can say about many other places. But frankly, I have no interest in Korean culture. The ancient culture is a bit interesting, in that I've read some cool books about it. But modern Korean culture has very little to offer me. I don't like the cut throat bbali bbali screw everyone in my way no respect for the earth or other people xenophobic hypernationalism that is rampant here. Most of the Korean 'friends' I've made here turned out just to use me and throw me away when they were done, which they tend to do to each other too. The top down, neo-Confucianism is overbearing, the last minute hysterics tiring, the immaturity of adults with the whining and puffed out chest drinking contests is ridiculous. The cities and towns and villages are all exactly the same, the food is all exactly the same, you'll find the same kinds of people everywhere. There is virtually no arts or music scene, at least nothing unique or good (yes, I've looked, gone underground, peeled back layers. It's not all K-pop, but you can really only see the same recycled 70s punk or boys in bowties so many times. It really comes off as kids playing dress up than actual art, I'd take even bad art if there was anything new about it). I really have no interest in being any more part of it than I have to be. I've been here for a while, but with sizable breaks here and there, and I absolutely need to get out of this country every 6 months or so to keep my sanity. I have to see people treat each other with some sort of respect, I need to slow down, I need diversity, I need quiet. I have no problem sheltering myself in my foreign bubble because, hey, I tried.
I feel like I should say some good things about Korea. It has great public transportation, fast internet, it is generally safe, it has reasonable drinking laws, prices for several things are good, the weather isn't great but it's not terrible in general, Seoul can be fun, the mountains are pretty in the fall and spring. Most of all I like my job for now and it pays me enough to do what I want to do. That's good enough for me for now. I wouldn't convince anyone not to come, but I would be realistic about it. Vacations are key, though. A year or two of the 10 days off in hogwans is ok, but I need much more than that now. I still don't get as much as I would like, of course, but it works. |
1) If you get a CELTA, which really isn't too expensive, you're eligible for jobs in Vietnam for which the pay for a newbie isn't too far off what you'll get in Korea when you factor in cost of living. The biggest difference is that Korea is easy whereas other EFL destinations are significantly more challenging. Spending your precious vacation time in Boracay is also easy.
2) It's unfortunate that you've had those experiences with your Korean friends. Personally, my contacts have gotten me jobs (in the States), allowed me to live at their homes free of charge for years, invited me home for the holidays, fed me at their family homes regularly, etc. In my experience, Koreans are some of the more generous people on earth if you can get in good with them. I'm not going full-blown apologist and saying "you're in Korea, embrace Korean culture", but I think you have more to gain if you throw yourself in than if you can't wait to get out. You're a lifer and obviously well past this point, but the target audience for these videos is clearly the 1-2 year expat.
3) I'll judge an American or a Canadian just as harshly for spending every vacation in Cancun or the Bahamas. I'll judge a Brit just as harshly for visiting Greek party islands. I'll judge an Aussie if they go to Kuta every year. I'm not saying that you shouldn't go to the beach, I'm just saying that you should have some imagination. Those vacations made sense twenty years ago when information was more dear, but you have an essentially infinite amount of free information at your fingertips, use it. You're out of uni, why are you still going on spring break? Essentially, time is precious: don't waste it.
4) I only spend two and a half years in Korea, but I got more out of it than a lot of people who spend half a decade and didn't really take the time to look around. I worked with a girl who had spent six years and still couldn't read hangul. If you go to Korea out of desperation and you want to live in a cocoon, I understand, I really do. But again getting back to the target audience of Ninja Tourist's videos, I don't think he's looking towards the folks who have massive student loan debt, as he's trying to sell them on the experience. More than anything, I think he's selling a cheap, subpar version of that experience. |
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nukeday
Joined: 13 May 2010
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 9:33 am Post subject: |
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| I'm sorry, but where are you from NinjaTeacher? |
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silkhighway
Joined: 24 Oct 2010
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 9:56 am Post subject: |
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Why judge anyone? Who cares what people do with their vacations or what their motivations for teaching in Korea are? If anything, the fact that it's reasonable and affordable to take vacations in South-east Asia is a selling point of going to Korea to teach for a year, so why not sell it that way? Do you not think when Google, Apple, and Microsoft try to attract talent to their companies, they don't try to woo talent with attractive west coast lifestyles? And yet, they don't end up with a bunch of surf bums phoning it in for some reason.
And this might surprise some of you, but some people believe vacations are for relaxing, not thinking, and they could care less about some haughty taughty cultural experience. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:19 am Post subject: |
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| silkhighway wrote: |
| And this might surprise some of you, but some people believe vacations are for relaxing, not thinking, and they could care less about some haughty taughty cultural experience. |
And the average American watches five hours of television per day. What's your point? Can you not relax on a beach that hasn't been Disneyfied? |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
And the average American watches five hours of television per day. What's your point? Can you not relax on a beach that hasn't been Disneyfied? |
Boracay beach has been 'Disneyfied', whatever that means, for a reason as it's one of the most beautiful in the world. Nowadays with the ease of foreign travel you often have to put up with the commercialism to visit outstanding places |
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Mr. BlackCat
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Location: Insert witty remark HERE
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
3) I'll judge an American or a Canadian just as harshly for spending every vacation in Cancun or the Bahamas. I'll judge a Brit just as harshly for visiting Greek party islands. I'll judge an Aussie if they go to Kuta every year. I'm not saying that you shouldn't go to the beach, I'm just saying that you should have some imagination. Those vacations made sense twenty years ago when information was more dear, but you have an essentially infinite amount of free information at your fingertips, use it. You're out of uni, why are you still going on spring break? Essentially, time is precious: don't waste it.
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Ok, but you said people shouldn't go to the "tropics" every vacation. I'm confused whether you're judging people for enjoying their vacation, or judging them for where they enjoy their vacation. Either way I think it's a bit condescending, but I would like clarification. I mean, you could go to Tokyo but more people visit there than Boracay so which one is more off the beaten path?
The thing is, especially if you're a hogwan teacher, it's hard to get to some of those out of the way places if you only have a week at a time, plus it can be much more expensive. It's just usually cheaper/quicker/simpler to get to a place like Boracay. I've never been, but I did go to Phuket one time because of my time constraints and it just worked out easier. Now that I have more time and money I go to more isolated locales, but I certainly don't judge anyone for where they decide to spend their free time. Who am I do to that? It's their life. Same with North America. Where are people supposed to go for a week? "Oh, I live in Toronto and have a week off in February. I should go to...Chicago in February? Vancouver? Halifax? Or, you know, some place warm and probably way cheaper?" Not everyone has a month off at a time and thousands of dollars to spend. Besides the Caribbean, where else can North Americans go to escape the cold? Europe? Well, that's farther away and much more expensive. Plus, some people just want to relax on vacation. Going to Paris or Rome or London is awesome, but it's 'traveling' not a 'vacation'.
Anyway, I've probably said enough on this subject. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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| "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." |
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NinjaTeacher
Joined: 31 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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| SeoulNate wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
What bothers me about this is that it kind of buys into the view that this is some kind of paid study abroad. You know what kind of vacations you get as an English teacher in Korea? Whichever kind you like during your time off, however much time that is and whenever it might be. Boracay? Make sure you check out Bali and Koh Phan Ngan too. With prices being what they are, maybe you can purchase some imagination during your travels. |
Pretty much this. I've watched a few of the videos hes posted here and they strike me in the same way. Not to mention the vast majority of NETs in their first year/two are here for one reason: sending money back to their homes to pay for uni loans. |
Hmm interesting. I wasn't aware my videos came across that way. Mostly I just aim to say what I feel about things, and try to keep them positive.
As for the destination, you can go wherever you want  I chose to go to Boracay because I wanted to party and I wanted to relax on the beach. I actually broke my ankle a few months ago and got the cast off a week before I left for the Philippines, so I chose a place that was right for me at the time.
I did travel solo, visited Manila, and did a ton of other cool stuff which I didn't include in the video because I lost my memory stick with the first half of the trip. I though Philippines was amazing and I will recommend it highly to everyone.
Boracay is rather touristy, yes, but I loved it. If you don't want that there are plenty of other places in the Philippines, such as Palawan, that are less like that. |
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NinjaTeacher
Joined: 31 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Hokie21 wrote: |
| nicwr2002 wrote: |
| You do not get to take vacations whenever you want in a hagwon. They have set times in the summer and winter, and will often try to not give you all of your vacation time. Also, it is very common for hagwons to not take Aug. 15 off because of already having summer vacation. |
I get to take vacation whenever I want at my hagwon. No set times. |
I added a note to the video that explains that Hagwons can vary like this. Thanks for the feedback. |
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NinjaTeacher
Joined: 31 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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| talentedcrayon wrote: |
The MODs should take down this post. This guy is clearly trying to set himself up as a recruiter using a content marketing strategy over Youtube to build himself an audience.
He posted this video on ESLCAFE to get hits to his website, where he can then build an email list and use that to contact potential teachers.
OP - you have to pay for advertising on ESLCAFE.com. Everyone else does, so should you. |
I have no plans to become a recruiter
I'm putting out free videos that hopefully provide value to people interested in teaching in Korea, not advertising.
Sure, I'd like to build an audience on youtube but not so that I can become a recruiter. |
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NinjaTeacher
Joined: 31 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| nukeday wrote: |
| I'm sorry, but where are you from NinjaTeacher? |
South Africa |
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