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Canucks Fan
Joined: 28 Jan 2015
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 Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:49 pm Post subject: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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Well, I was for two weeks anyway. See, I taught English in Korea from 1998-2001. When I came here I had an engineering technology diploma plus an ESL certificate(it was enough for an E-2 back then). I got married to a Korean woman then returned to Canada with my wife and baby. I went back to university and became a professional engineer, worked all over the world including expat positions in Norway and Singapore and had another child.
It is so different being here as a foreign expert rather than just an English teacher. Not knocking anyone that has made it their calling, so long timers please don't take offense. In fact, I had the opportunity to chat with a few I knew from 15 years ago. All of them are married, work in universities and seem to have no regrets.
Anyway, it was great to be back. It was interesting to see so many changes that Korea has undergone. Many different ethnicities in Korea now. Interracial marriage between Koreans and weikukin is ubiquitous. Still, some things haven't changed like the friendliness of Koreans. I can't wait until my next opportunity to go back. |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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I've been here for the duration of your absence & I'm getting reflective as my exit looms. The pace of change here is indeed astonishing. The national mindset: jump forward, patch problems, then jump again. It works.
| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| ...some things haven't changed like the friendliness of Koreans. |
In full agreement there. |
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Canucks Fan
Joined: 28 Jan 2015
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:53 pm Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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| schwa wrote: |
I've been here for the duration of your absence & I'm getting reflective as my exit looms. The pace of change here is indeed astonishing. The national mindset: jump forward, patch problems, then jump again. It works.
| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| ...some things haven't changed like the friendliness of Koreans. |
In full agreement there. |
My wife has gone back for short trips with my kids, but this was my first time since 01. Hell, the twin towers were still standing when I left. The changes really are astonishing. I generally liked what I saw, but I didn't see what if any consequences these changes have brought. That's for people like yourself that have seen it happen.
Hey schwa, best of luck on your exit.  |
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GENO123
Joined: 28 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 11:14 pm Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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| Canucks Fan wrote: |
Well, I was for two weeks anyway. See, I taught English in Korea from 1998-2001. When I came here I had an engineering technology diploma plus an ESL certificate(it was enough for an E-2 back then). I got married to a Korean woman then returned to Canada with my wife and baby. I went back to university and became a professional engineer, worked all over the world including expat positions in Norway and Singapore and had another child.
It is so different being here as a foreign expert rather than just an English teacher. Not knocking anyone that has made it their calling, so long timers please don't take offense. In fact, I had the opportunity to chat with a few I knew from 15 years ago. All of them are married, work in universities and seem to have no regrets.
Anyway, it was great to be back. It was interesting to see so many changes that Korea has undergone. Many different ethnicities in Korea now. Interracial marriage between Koreans and weikukin is ubiquitous. Still, some things haven't changed like the friendliness of Koreans. I can't wait until my next opportunity to go back. |
You made a good move in getting out of esl. |
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Chaparrastique
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 11:17 pm Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| It is so different being here as a foreign expert rather than just an English teacher. |
Any difference is mostly due to your being older, not your job description. |
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Canucks Fan
Joined: 28 Jan 2015
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:17 am Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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| Chaparrastique wrote: |
| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| It is so different being here as a foreign expert rather than just an English teacher. |
Any difference is mostly due to your being older, not your job description. |
Could be, but I wouldn't think the luxuries I was provided last week in Korea would be made available to ESL teachers. The education biz just doesn't have the budget
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| You made a good move in getting out of esl. |
I think so too. There was a time when I when taught English that I thought about further education and making a career out of ESL. I am sooooooo glad I did not do that. |
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Paddycakes
Joined: 05 May 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:33 am Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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| Chaparrastique wrote: |
| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| It is so different being here as a foreign expert rather than just an English teacher. |
Any difference is mostly due to your being older, not your job description. |
Unless you're living by one of the military bases, they'll just assume you're a teacher anyway. |
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Stan Rogers
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 8:49 am Post subject: |
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| A lot has changed. Re-education looks like the future. |
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Stan Rogers
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 8:49 am Post subject: |
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| A lot has changed. Re-education looks like the future. |
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Canucks Fan
Joined: 28 Jan 2015
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:09 am Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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| Paddycakes wrote: |
| Chaparrastique wrote: |
| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| It is so different being here as a foreign expert rather than just an English teacher. |
Any difference is mostly due to your being older, not your job description. |
Unless you're living by one of the military bases, they'll just assume you're a teacher anyway. |
I'm sorry, I did not mean people I passed on the street. I don't pretend to know what total strangers are thinking. Although, that would be a useful gift to possess.  |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| I wouldn't think the luxuries I was provided last week in Korea would be made available to ESL teachers. |
What kind of luxuries were you provided? |
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Canucks Fan
Joined: 28 Jan 2015
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| I wouldn't think the luxuries I was provided last week in Korea would be made available to ESL teachers. |
What kind of luxuries were you provided? |
Blow and high priced escorts....just kiddin. 
When you are involved with large, capital projects they tend not to cut corners with the expenses of key personnel. This is the case in every country I have been in either as an expat or visiting foreign expert and not just Korea. |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| World Traveler wrote: |
| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| I wouldn't think the luxuries I was provided last week in Korea would be made available to ESL teachers. |
What kind of luxuries were you provided? |
Blow and high priced escorts....just kiddin.
When you are involved with large, capital projects they tend not to cut corners with the expenses of key personnel. This is the case in every country I have been in either as an expat or visiting foreign expert and not just Korea. |
So......whiskey and high-priced escorts. |
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Chaparrastique
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:05 pm Post subject: Re: Back in Korea working after 14 year absence |
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| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| World Traveler wrote: |
| Canucks Fan wrote: |
| I wouldn't think the luxuries I was provided last week in Korea would be made available to ESL teachers. |
What kind of luxuries were you provided? |
Blow and high priced escorts....just kiddin.
When you are involved with large, capital projects they tend not to cut corners with the expenses of key personnel. This is the case in every country I have been in either as an expat or visiting foreign expert and not just Korea. |
Esl teachers with privates make more than you. |
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Paddycakes
Joined: 05 May 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Esl teachers with privates make more than you. |
And your wife can't be a member of the Faculty Wives club, either. |
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