Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Biba100]

Ok. I've been interested in teaching abroad for a while now, but I'm not really sure if I should go through with it. As far as getting hired is concerned, I already have 2 strikes against me. I'm a black woman, and I already know that the esl business favors single, white, blonde females. And I've lurked these forums for a couple years and the horror stories freak me out. So, should I even try?

[pmwhittier]

I'm older (over 35), balding, large, bearded and have visible tattoos. I teach kindy/elementary and most (if not all) the parents approve of me, as this is my second year at my current school and have retained 99% of my students.

So I have 5 strikes against me and I have made it OK. It's up to you.

[Underwaterbob]

I say go for it! The female part of your profile is more arguably slightly more important these days than white and attractive. The former will get you a job, the latter a great job if one leverages it.

Just keep in mind, I've been in the same small (220'000 people is small here) Korean town for the past ten years. There's been at least one black woman kicking around that entire time, sometimes even more than one. Hilariously enough, each and every one of them was told that they were the first black woman in town. If that sounds too annoying, stay away.

[schwa]

I met at least a dozen black women teaching public school during my time in Gangwondo. Most were well-liked by their schools & students & many of them renewed their contracts.

[thrylos]

Don't let the rumors/Negative Nellies deter you. If you can accept some 'stereotyping' and some sideway glances (they're not uncommon for any 'foreigner', even the 'Golidlockses'), apply away! Good luck!

[Biba100]

Thank you for all the reassurance. I know that quite a few black women who've had success (this is mostly from youtube). And I know that esl isn't perfect, but I've seen so many posts about people getting screwed and then there's this http://www.eslbase.com/advice/south-korea . So that's keeping me from applying. I know those posts are old, but still, I just want to avoid any pitfalls.

[Sector7G]

[GJoeM]

To the O/P

Korea is an ultra conformist, ultra right wing Conservative ( BIG C ) , ultra materialistic country. Do your research before you come. Think very carefully about what it means to live in a country that places such extreme emphasis on conforming, fitting in, not being different in any way, being 'one of the crowd' and not standing out.

Views on politics, religions, history, ethnicity, ideology, culture, character, lifestyle, other nations, likes and dislikes, are all seen through an ultra right wing prism.

There are exceptions -- but they are very rare.

You have to ask yourself if you can live in that climate.

You have to know -- that is what Korea is. Korea is deeply proud, to the core, of those values.

[tanklor1]

I worked with multiple African-Americans over my years here. If an over-wight white guy like me can find a job here year after year, I'd say everyone with the right qualifications has a shot.

[Sector7G]

[kabrams]

[Chaparrastique]

[Skippy]

Ok we know what is wrong with you. You are black and a woman. Now what is good about you? Do you have an English degree? Are you ready paperwork wise? Are you willing to work in a less desirable place like a small town. The key is to drown out the things wrong with you with traits that are right. So when it comes down to when the choice to hire you the school will ignore the bad things.

[Sector7G]

[ThingsComeAround]

I have known (and still know) black women that found success here.
Positive mental attitude goes a long way here. Although you may have heard there are bigots here, usually the worst are unqualified native speakers who you won't be working for anyway. Koreans are warm, direct people.