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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Sister Ray
Joined: 25 Mar 2006
Location: Fukuoka
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 Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
| And how exactly a criminal background check and a drug test is some sort of terrible burden on people TEACHING CHILDREN is beyond me. |
I'm fine with the criminal check. The drug test is unnecessarily obtrusive though. One of my prime motivators for quitting ROK. Also, not everyone TEACHES CHILDREN.
Last edited by Sister Ray on Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Roman Holiday wrote: |
Well, after reading the posts here on Dave's over the last month or so, I'm now seriously reconsidering my plans to come back to Korea ['even' with MA, 5 years Korean uni experience, in mid-40s, can speak Korean]. When I left, I thought I'd left for good. Then after a few years I missed it and thought about returning. But if the working conditions, competition, cost of living etc have deteriorated to the extent described here, I may just have to give up on the country once and for all.
Am in two minds at the moment, so I guess I'll have to sit down and brainstorm all the positives and negatives.
Just for starters:
Positive: Get 50% cash back on airfare.....
Negative: Lose 50% of airfare.....
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There might be good reasons to return to Korea, much of it depending on how much you enjoy the lifestyle here. But mid-40s, the things that can make Korea fun when you're younger usually don't hold the same appeal, unless you came for the hiking.
It has certainly gotten more expensive (some of that because there are more opportunities to spend money, which is a positive) and good jobs are hard to come by. Salaries are stagnant. Even so, many are holding onto good jobs for dear life.
You can still make and save money if you really work at it, but there's more competition for the side jobs that help with that. If you can find a good job outside of Seoul where it's more affordable that could be worth it. |
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Yaya
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Roman Holiday wrote: |
Well, after reading the posts here on Dave's over the last month or so, I'm now seriously reconsidering my plans to come back to Korea ['even' with MA, 5 years Korean uni experience, in mid-40s, can speak Korean]. When I left, I thought I'd left for good. Then after a few years I missed it and thought about returning. But if the working conditions, competition, cost of living etc have deteriorated to the extent described here, I may just have to give up on the country once and for all.
Am in two minds at the moment, so I guess I'll have to sit down and brainstorm all the positives and negatives.
Just for starters:
Positive: Get 50% cash back on airfare.....
Negative: Lose 50% of airfare.....
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Don't come back. Korea is going down, and speaking Korean seems to take a back seat to being attractive, or in the case of foreigners, acting clownish to amuse Koreans. You also say you're in your mid-40s (as am I) and that's perhaps the biggest reason not to come back. Lots of age discrimination here, though I'm sure you could get "a" job given that you have a master's. |
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Chaparrastique
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:08 am Post subject: |
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| Roman Holiday wrote: |
| ['even' with MA, 5 years Korean uni experience, in mid-40s, can speak Korean]. |
You're too intimidating to ajosshi bosses.
They don't want someone with actual ability, it makes them look bad.
Sounds like you have a sense of humor too? Even worse. They'd only feel threatened. |
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trueblue
Joined: 15 Jun 2014
Location: In between the lines
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:16 am Post subject: |
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| Can we add this new, BS policy that Korea has infused on Amazon, to the list? |
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basic69isokay
Joined: 28 Sep 2014
Location: korea
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 4:56 am Post subject: |
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| Roman Holiday wrote: |
Well, after reading the posts here on Dave's over the last month or so, I'm now seriously reconsidering my plans to come back to Korea ['even' with MA, 5 years Korean uni experience, in mid-40s, can speak Korean]. When I left, I thought I'd left for good. Then after a few years I missed it and thought about returning. But if the working conditions, competition, cost of living etc have deteriorated to the extent described here, I may just have to give up on the country once and for all.
Am in two minds at the moment, so I guess I'll have to sit down and brainstorm all the positives and negatives.
Just for starters:
Positive: Get 50% cash back on airfare.....
Negative: Lose 50% of airfare.....
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In your 40s you better be ready to go rural. And youd be just getting in on the last few years of a declining industry. |
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swashbuckler
Joined: 20 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 5:01 am Post subject: |
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| Roman Holiday wrote: |
Well, after reading the posts here on Dave's over the last month or so, I'm now seriously reconsidering my plans to come back to Korea ['even' with MA, 5 years Korean uni experience, in mid-40s, can speak Korean]. When I left, I thought I'd left for good. Then after a few years I missed it and thought about returning. But if the working conditions, competition, cost of living etc have deteriorated to the extent described here, I may just have to give up on the country once and for all.
Am in two minds at the moment, so I guess I'll have to sit down and brainstorm all the positives and negatives.
Just for starters:
Positive: Get 50% cash back on airfare.....
Negative: Lose 50% of airfare.....
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My advice is don't waste your time coming back here now that you're in your mid-40s. Teaching English in Korea is a dead-end job if you're ever interested in developing an actual career. |
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Roman Holiday
Joined: 22 Sep 2014
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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| swashbuckler wrote: |
| Roman Holiday wrote: |
Well, after reading the posts here on Dave's over the last month or so, I'm now seriously reconsidering my plans to come back to Korea ['even' with MA, 5 years Korean uni experience, in mid-40s, can speak Korean]. When I left, I thought I'd left for good. Then after a few years I missed it and thought about returning. But if the working conditions, competition, cost of living etc have deteriorated to the extent described here, I may just have to give up on the country once and for all.
Am in two minds at the moment, so I guess I'll have to sit down and brainstorm all the positives and negatives.
Just for starters:
Positive: Get 50% cash back on airfare.....
Negative: Lose 50% of airfare.....
|
My advice is don't waste your time coming back here now that you're in your mid-40s. Teaching English in Korea is a dead-end job if you're ever interested in developing an actual career. |
Yes, I like to think I am not labouring under any illusions in regard to Korea. My main motivation is just to make a chunk of change, not to pursue a career. I am/ was hoping to score a half decent uni job for the next few years then retreat back to little ol' peaceful NZ with a mortgage paid off.
In your 40s you better be ready to go rural. And youd be just getting in on the last few years of a declining industry.
Hi Basic69isokay, Yes, I may even consider somewhere like Daegu or Busan. I notice a couple of uni jobs for Daegu have been posted. I guess I might have the luxury of coming over to Seoul for a few months on a tourist visa, and treat it like working holiday- work to find a decent job while enjoying the sights of Seoul. If the job doesn't eventuate, can then retire back to NZ to lick my wounds.
You're too intimidating to ajosshi bosses.
They don't want someone with actual ability, it makes them look bad.
Sounds like you have a sense of humor too? Even worse. They'd only feel threatened.
Hi Chaparrastique, Yes, can always play the part of what is expected. But I have to say my past experience of the uni ajoshi bosses have bee
n on the whole positive experiences. I even had a lovely Mr Choi always trying to persuade me to marry a Korean girl! Rightly or wrongly, I was wary of that.
Don't come back. Korea is going down, and speaking Korean seems to take a back seat to being attractive, or in the case of foreigners, acting clownish to amuse Koreans. You also say you're in your mid-40s (as am I) and that's perhaps the biggest reason not to come back. Lots of age discrimination here, though I'm sure you could get "a" job given that you have a master's.
Hi Yaya, Yes my age is my main concern though the Koreans I've spoken to frankly about this here in Auckland all insist that most 'professors' are in their 40s and it won't be an issue.
At this stage, I'm thinking coming over will be a bit of a gamble, which may then just simply come down to whether I can afford that gamble or not. It's not like I'll be betting the house. 
There might be good reasons to return to Korea, much of it depending on how much you enjoy the lifestyle here. But mid-40s, the things that can make Korea fun when you're younger usually don't hold the same appeal, unless you came for the hiking.
It has certainly gotten more expensive (some of that because there are more opportunities to spend money, which is a positive) and good jobs are hard to come by. Salaries are stagnant. Even so, many are holding onto good jobs for dear life.
You can still make and save money if you really work at it, but there's more competition for the side jobs that help with that. If you can find a good job outside of Seoul where it's more affordable that could be worth it.
Hi Atwood, Though there are things I enjoy about Korea, it will no doubt be a 'tour of duty'.... and penance for my leisurely life of the last few years.
Three years of saving and then back home I'd hope... to the beaches, poetry and part-time tutoring. |
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Chaparrastique
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Roman Holiday wrote: |
| Three years of saving and then back home I'd hope... to the beaches, poetry and part-time tutoring. |
The savings potential has almost halved-beware- as the cost of living has crept up. You will have to tighten your belt considerably.
you're still on 2002 wages remember. But basic stuff like groceries, taxis, etc have all doubled in price in that time. |
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Roman Holiday
Joined: 22 Sep 2014
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| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Chaparrastique wrote: |
| Roman Holiday wrote: |
| Three years of saving and then back home I'd hope... to the beaches, poetry and part-time tutoring. |
The savings potential has almost halved-beware- as the cost of living has crept up. You will have to tighten your belt considerably.
you're still on 2002 wages remember. But basic stuff like groceries, taxis, etc have all doubled in price in that time. |
Gulp. Yes, I could see myself working near twice as hard as before. A uni job [if I can land one], then tutoring a few ivy league hopefuls their TOIEC or some such thing on the days off and down time. I would be extremely reluctant to give up my weekends.
If it doesn't work out, will just fly home~~ |
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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 3:44 am Post subject: |
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| I'm surprised that anyone would go to Korea for the money. I'd receive more on the dole in Australia (with a family) than I'd get working at most of the university/hagwon jobs advertised here and Australia isn't necessarily that much more expensive. |
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Chaparrastique
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 4:04 am Post subject: |
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| big_fella1 wrote: |
| I'm surprised that anyone would go to Korea for the money. |
yeah the money is obviously not the main drawcard anymore.
Mixture of either bored grads wanting to extend the party, or lifers that established themselves here years ago and for various reasons can't or won't leave. |
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