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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Adam Carolla
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
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 Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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| SeoulNate wrote: |
| Adam Carolla wrote: |
| SeoulNate wrote: |
| Adam Carolla wrote: |
| SeoulNate wrote: |
| Based on your writing style, I highly doubt your accent is the reason you never had any luck in the interviews. |
This board never disappoints. Slight chance to make a snarky remark, could pass, but no, this is eslcafe where manners go to die. Good job SeoulNate! |
Truth and snark might have been a bit mixed there. However, if the poster I made that comment about legitimately believes that he/she isn't getting a job based on their accent alone, they might want to consider changing some other things before making such a statement. |
Also, and should have said this earlier...Whenever you think those thoughts, ever considered NOT being an a-hole and keeping them to yourself? Odds are, no. |
Nope. Since when did truth make someone an asshole? It isn't the first time he has posted that asinine assumption either.
People do nothing but come to these boards and pew-pew all over the place like the world is supposed to hand them something for sucking at life. Too bad life doesn't work like that. |
Intent makes one an asshole dummy. Your intent was to be demeaning to someone looking for help. Good for you, mission accomplished.
Next, you made assertions that you can't come close to backing up. This also makes you an asshole. So, you can believe whatever you like about yourself, but the "truth" is, you're a horrible human being. Enjoy growing old and being alone. |
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Whitegirlinasia
Joined: 09 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:20 am Post subject: |
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| Adam Carolla wrote: |
| SeoulNate wrote: |
| Adam Carolla wrote: |
| SeoulNate wrote: |
| Adam Carolla wrote: |
| SeoulNate wrote: |
| Based on your writing style, I highly doubt your accent is the reason you never had any luck in the interviews. |
This board never disappoints. Slight chance to make a snarky remark, could pass, but no, this is eslcafe where manners go to die. Good job SeoulNate! |
Truth and snark might have been a bit mixed there. However, if the poster I made that comment about legitimately believes that he/she isn't getting a job based on their accent alone, they might want to consider changing some other things before making such a statement. |
Also, and should have said this earlier...Whenever you think those thoughts, ever considered NOT being an a-hole and keeping them to yourself? Odds are, no. |
Nope. Since when did truth make someone an asshole? It isn't the first time he has posted that asinine assumption either.
People do nothing but come to these boards and pew-pew all over the place like the world is supposed to hand them something for sucking at life. Too bad life doesn't work like that. |
Intent makes one an asshole dummy. Your intent was to be demeaning to someone looking for help. Good for you, mission accomplished.
Next, you made assertions that you can't come close to backing up. This also makes you an asshole. So, you can believe whatever you like about yourself, but the "truth" is, you're a horrible human being. Enjoy growing old and being alone. |
I see Korean culture has really embittered many a soul here.
Update* I booked my ticket for the 19th and contacted the airline to register my pet for transport. They don't transport animals between Dec 15th and Jan 12th due to the holiday season.
So now I have to figure out how to ship the dog before or after I make a run for it. And, I am assuming it will be more expensive to ship him independently.
I am unsure if it is harder to live here or leave here.
Korea: If it could go wrong, it WILL go wrong. |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:07 am Post subject: |
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| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
| Korea: If it could go wrong, it WILL go wrong. |
Is there any space in your hate-on for Korea for others who actually liked it here? Everything mostly fell right for me in my 15 years in Korea & it has served me very well. Sorry about your bad choice of one job. You really figure thats a sound basis to bash an entire culture? |
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Whitegirlinasia
Joined: 09 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:54 am Post subject: |
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| schwa wrote: |
| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
| Korea: If it could go wrong, it WILL go wrong. |
Is there any space in your hate-on for Korea for others who actually liked it here? Everything mostly fell right for me in my 15 years in Korea & it has served me very well. Sorry about your bad choice of one job. You really figure thats a sound basis to bash an entire culture? |
There is plenty of space to go around for a ode to Korea, just not on this thread. You're welcome to write a love letter about your positive experience in a different post. But this is my pity party thread.
If you don't like it, you're welcome to not bother reading it.
Is there any room on this forum for people who don't go out of their way to judge, criticize and be unnecessarily cranky at people for their opinions and experiences, but instead read a thread and recognize some people don't get lucky and don't land in jam here?
You had a good experience. Korea was good to you. Good for you. No one is trying to take that away from you.
I didn't. I formed a negative opinion of a culture. I'm blowing off steam here. It happens.
My experience doesn't invalidate yours, nor yours mine.
Take a chill pill. |
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wonkavite62
Joined: 17 Dec 2007
Location: Jeollanamdo, South Korea.
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 3:47 am Post subject: Pity Party |
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Well if I was holding a pity party, I would be making a special pity party cake (for which I have a recipe) and pity party jelly-oh wait a minute-you call it Jell-O, don't you? The key ingredients would be lemon and lime, to symbolise sorrow and pity.
Seriously, though, is it possible to change the date of your flight to just after the holiday season? If so you might be able to get a D-10 visa, while you ostensibly look for another job but in reality wait for the plane. Just a thought.
I wish you could complete the contract, have a massive farewell party and then go home and plan a better future.
I have been in bad jobs before, so I do understand how you feel to an extent. E.g. being in a job that was advertised as 30 hours per week but was in reality 50 hours! |
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Fallacy
Joined: 29 Jun 2015
Location: ex-ROK
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 4:34 am Post subject: RE: Stay (no) or Go (yes)? A Korean nightmare. |
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| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
| I am unsure if it is harder to live here or leave here. |
"We are programmed to receive. You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave!" -- Hotel California by The Eagles. |
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goat
Joined: 23 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 4:53 am Post subject: |
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| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
| schwa wrote: |
| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
| Korea: If it could go wrong, it WILL go wrong. |
Is there any space in your hate-on for Korea for others who actually liked it here? Everything mostly fell right for me in my 15 years in Korea & it has served me very well. Sorry about your bad choice of one job. You really figure thats a sound basis to bash an entire culture? |
There is plenty of space to go around for a ode to Korea, just not on this thread. You're welcome to write a love letter about your positive experience in a different post. But this is my pity party thread.
If you don't like it, you're welcome to not bother reading it.
Is there any room on this forum for people who don't go out of their way to judge, criticize and be unnecessarily cranky at people for their opinions and experiences, but instead read a thread and recognize some people don't get lucky and don't land in jam here?
You had a good experience. Korea was good to you. Good for you. No one is trying to take that away from you.
I didn't. I formed a negative opinion of a culture. I'm blowing off steam here. It happens.
My experience doesn't invalidate yours, nor yours mine.
Take a chill pill. |
You are out of your comfort zone and aren't able to adjust to something new. Some people can't handle the situation. Some people don't have the adventure gene. It's time for you to return to your comfy circle back home. |
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Fallacy
Joined: 29 Jun 2015
Location: ex-ROK
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 5:18 am Post subject: RE: Stay (no) or Go (yes)? A Korean nightmare. |
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| goat wrote: |
| You are out of your comfort zone and aren't able to adjust to something new. Some people can't handle the situation. Some people don't have the adventure gene. It's time for you to return to your comfy circle back home. |
Maybe; then again, maybe not. Check this post by the OP in the Off-Topic forum from the thread "What's your Korean horror story?"
| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
Since I moved to Korea I've been living a horror story and I'm looking forward to waking up from the nightmare at the end of my contract.
I'm curious about other people's bad experiences here. Let's hear them and commiserate together.
Here's one of mine.
To save money, my last boss housed me in a seedy area of town surrounded by chatting bars and norebangs staffed by women in short skirts. A prostitution ring was being run out of my building.
Coming home from my birthday with my then Korean boyfriend, someone who happens to live on my floor saw us and reported to the police that a man had brought a Russian to his apartment. So they came to my building to arrest me for prostitution at 3AM.
I sued the guy for defamation (which took months) only because I wanted to know how he knew where I lived. He refused to respond to the police so they called his mother, who compelled him to show up and apologize to me. (sweet revenge).
When I told my boss I didn't feel safe living there he told me to "cry out" if there was danger, because Koreans are good and will help a "pretty girl" like me. I was later assaulted and no one came to my rescue. I got away unscathed but a pretty rattled. |
That is likely not in anyone's comfort zone, and few would be able to adjust to something new given those circumstances, or even be able to handle the situation, irregardless of genes, were this even to occur within a comfy circle back home. |
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Whitegirlinasia
Joined: 09 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:05 am Post subject: Re: RE: Stay (no) or Go (yes)? A Korean nightmare. |
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| Fallacy wrote: |
| goat wrote: |
| You are out of your comfort zone and aren't able to adjust to something new. Some people can't handle the situation. Some people don't have the adventure gene. It's time for you to return to your comfy circle back home. |
Maybe; then again, maybe not. Check this post by the OP in the Off-Topic forum from the thread "What's your Korean horror story?"
| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
Since I moved to Korea I've been living a horror story and I'm looking forward to waking up from the nightmare at the end of my contract.
I'm curious about other people's bad experiences here. Let's hear them and commiserate together.
Here's one of mine.
To save money, my last boss housed me in a seedy area of town surrounded by chatting bars and norebangs staffed by women in short skirts. A prostitution ring was being run out of my building.
Coming home from my birthday with my then Korean boyfriend, someone who happens to live on my floor saw us and reported to the police that a man had brought a Russian to his apartment. So they came to my building to arrest me for prostitution at 3AM.
I sued the guy for defamation (which took months) only because I wanted to know how he knew where I lived. He refused to respond to the police so they called his mother, who compelled him to show up and apologize to me. (sweet revenge).
When I told my boss I didn't feel safe living there he told me to "cry out" if there was danger, because Koreans are good and will help a "pretty girl" like me. I was later assaulted and no one came to my rescue. I got away unscathed but a pretty rattled. |
That is likely not in anyone's comfort zone, and few would be able to adjust to something new given those circumstances, or even be able to handle the situation, irregardless of genes, were this even to occur within a comfy circle back home. |
Thanks for that. And this is my 7th year in Asia btw. I lived in Japan for 5 years before this. I learned the language and beat the adversity. Was there crazy stuff? Sure. But what I experienced in Korea went far beyond that.
I'm not a rookie in Asia. Korea is simply the varsity level of challenges. It's also Russian Roulette when it comes to jobs. |
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DaeguNL
Joined: 08 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 5:34 pm Post subject: Re: RE: Stay (no) or Go (yes)? A Korean nightmare. |
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| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
| Fallacy wrote: |
| goat wrote: |
| You are out of your comfort zone and aren't able to adjust to something new. Some people can't handle the situation. Some people don't have the adventure gene. It's time for you to return to your comfy circle back home. |
Maybe; then again, maybe not. Check this post by the OP in the Off-Topic forum from the thread "What's your Korean horror story?"
| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
Since I moved to Korea I've been living a horror story and I'm looking forward to waking up from the nightmare at the end of my contract.
I'm curious about other people's bad experiences here. Let's hear them and commiserate together.
Here's one of mine.
To save money, my last boss housed me in a seedy area of town surrounded by chatting bars and norebangs staffed by women in short skirts. A prostitution ring was being run out of my building.
Coming home from my birthday with my then Korean boyfriend, someone who happens to live on my floor saw us and reported to the police that a man had brought a Russian to his apartment. So they came to my building to arrest me for prostitution at 3AM.
I sued the guy for defamation (which took months) only because I wanted to know how he knew where I lived. He refused to respond to the police so they called his mother, who compelled him to show up and apologize to me. (sweet revenge).
When I told my boss I didn't feel safe living there he told me to "cry out" if there was danger, because Koreans are good and will help a "pretty girl" like me. I was later assaulted and no one came to my rescue. I got away unscathed but a pretty rattled. |
That is likely not in anyone's comfort zone, and few would be able to adjust to something new given those circumstances, or even be able to handle the situation, irregardless of genes, were this even to occur within a comfy circle back home. |
Thanks for that. And this is my 7th year in Asia btw. I lived in Japan for 5 years before this. I learned the language and beat the adversity. Was there crazy stuff? Sure. But what I experienced in Korea went far beyond that.
I'm not a rookie in Asia. Korea is simply the varsity level of challenges. It's also Russian Roulette when it comes to jobs. |
I'm gonna disagree. Most who have a bad experience feel the need to vent on these forums, but those who have a good experience don't usually post anything. I've had probably 50 coworkers and I bet only 2 would say they had a bad experience here (one was a terrible teacher and got fired after he fell asleep in class, another wasn't given severance at a small place after ownership changed)
my first job in Korea, I had 10 coworkers. It was so so and only 1 re-signed, but only 2 actually chose not to come back for another year.
There are definitely terrible jobs here. shady owners, micro managing bosses, rotten kids etc. But that is not the norm. Sorry you got stuck in a bad job OP, feel free to write a scathing review of the place once you are back home to potentially save the next person a lot of trouble |
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Whitegirlinasia
Joined: 09 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: RE: Stay (no) or Go (yes)? A Korean nightmare. |
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| DaeguNL wrote: |
| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
| Fallacy wrote: |
| goat wrote: |
| You are out of your comfort zone and aren't able to adjust to something new. Some people can't handle the situation. Some people don't have the adventure gene. It's time for you to return to your comfy circle back home. |
Maybe; then again, maybe not. Check this post by the OP in the Off-Topic forum from the thread "What's your Korean horror story?"
| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
Since I moved to Korea I've been living a horror story and I'm looking forward to waking up from the nightmare at the end of my contract.
I'm curious about other people's bad experiences here. Let's hear them and commiserate together.
Here's one of mine.
To save money, my last boss housed me in a seedy area of town surrounded by chatting bars and norebangs staffed by women in short skirts. A prostitution ring was being run out of my building.
Coming home from my birthday with my then Korean boyfriend, someone who happens to live on my floor saw us and reported to the police that a man had brought a Russian to his apartment. So they came to my building to arrest me for prostitution at 3AM.
I sued the guy for defamation (which took months) only because I wanted to know how he knew where I lived. He refused to respond to the police so they called his mother, who compelled him to show up and apologize to me. (sweet revenge).
When I told my boss I didn't feel safe living there he told me to "cry out" if there was danger, because Koreans are good and will help a "pretty girl" like me. I was later assaulted and no one came to my rescue. I got away unscathed but a pretty rattled. |
That is likely not in anyone's comfort zone, and few would be able to adjust to something new given those circumstances, or even be able to handle the situation, irregardless of genes, were this even to occur within a comfy circle back home. |
Thanks for that. And this is my 7th year in Asia btw. I lived in Japan for 5 years before this. I learned the language and beat the adversity. Was there crazy stuff? Sure. But what I experienced in Korea went far beyond that.
I'm not a rookie in Asia. Korea is simply the varsity level of challenges. It's also Russian Roulette when it comes to jobs. |
I'm gonna disagree. Most who have a bad experience feel the need to vent on these forums, but those who have a good experience don't usually post anything. I've had probably 50 coworkers and I bet only 2 would say they had a bad experience here (one was a terrible teacher and got fired after he fell asleep in class, another wasn't given severance at a small place after ownership changed)
my first job in Korea, I had 10 coworkers. It was so so and only 1 re-signed, but only 2 actually chose not to come back for another year.
There are definitely terrible jobs here. shady owners, micro managing bosses, rotten kids etc. But that is not the norm. Sorry you got stuck in a bad job OP, feel free to write a scathing review of the place once you are back home to potentially save the next person a lot of trouble |
Yeah, I was reading this very long series of posts of people's experiences here. It seems like people either have a fantastic time or they get financially and emotionally raped. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground. But this is definitely a place where people like me come to post their sob story.
I had a friend who's company sent her to Japan during Silver Week for a visa run (that was impossible because of the week of national holidays) and stranded her there and then they went out of business, stiffing her like 4 months pay. I was always curious why on earth she lived here for 5 years after that as that was her first year here. I would have been on the plane the first month they didn't pay me.
She managed to have a good time after that, though. So who knows. But that level of uncertainty is not for me. I prefer my jobs stable and monotonous. |
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JohnML
Joined: 05 Jul 2015
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| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:30 am Post subject: Re: RE: Stay (no) or Go (yes)? A Korean nightmare. |
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| DaeguNL wrote: |
| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
| Fallacy wrote: |
| goat wrote: |
| You are out of your comfort zone and aren't able to adjust to something new. Some people can't handle the situation. Some people don't have the adventure gene. It's time for you to return to your comfy circle back home. |
Maybe; then again, maybe not. Check this post by the OP in the Off-Topic forum from the thread "What's your Korean horror story?"
| Whitegirlinasia wrote: |
Since I moved to Korea I've been living a horror story and I'm looking forward to waking up from the nightmare at the end of my contract.
I'm curious about other people's bad experiences here. Let's hear them and commiserate together.
Here's one of mine.
To save money, my last boss housed me in a seedy area of town surrounded by chatting bars and norebangs staffed by women in short skirts. A prostitution ring was being run out of my building.
Coming home from my birthday with my then Korean boyfriend, someone who happens to live on my floor saw us and reported to the police that a man had brought a Russian to his apartment. So they came to my building to arrest me for prostitution at 3AM.
I sued the guy for defamation (which took months) only because I wanted to know how he knew where I lived. He refused to respond to the police so they called his mother, who compelled him to show up and apologize to me. (sweet revenge).
When I told my boss I didn't feel safe living there he told me to "cry out" if there was danger, because Koreans are good and will help a "pretty girl" like me. I was later assaulted and no one came to my rescue. I got away unscathed but a pretty rattled. |
That is likely not in anyone's comfort zone, and few would be able to adjust to something new given those circumstances, or even be able to handle the situation, irregardless of genes, were this even to occur within a comfy circle back home. |
Thanks for that. And this is my 7th year in Asia btw. I lived in Japan for 5 years before this. I learned the language and beat the adversity. Was there crazy stuff? Sure. But what I experienced in Korea went far beyond that.
I'm not a rookie in Asia. Korea is simply the varsity level of challenges. It's also Russian Roulette when it comes to jobs. |
I'm gonna disagree. Most who have a bad experience feel the need to vent on these forums, but those who have a good experience don't usually post anything. I've had probably 50 coworkers and I bet only 2 would say they had a bad experience here (one was a terrible teacher and got fired after he fell asleep in class, another wasn't given severance at a small place after ownership changed)
my first job in Korea, I had 10 coworkers. It was so so and only 1 re-signed, but only 2 actually chose not to come back for another year.
There are definitely terrible jobs here. shady owners, micro managing bosses, rotten kids etc. But that is not the norm. Sorry you got stuck in a bad job OP, feel free to write a scathing review of the place once you are back home to potentially save the next person a lot of trouble |
Wouldn't say that's exactly the case, I had a reasonably good experience working in TEFL but I still think there are a lot of problems associated with the industry in general and bring them up. I just feel there is a lot of misinformation presented and I do think it's in a state of decline. As for the good places I have worked I've also seen lot of really horrible schools (had interviews at some and just wanted to get out of there as quick as possible). I know a lot of people who have just left Korea and indeed ESL altogether and they vastly outnumber those who stay here for 5 years+.
It's not about having a good or bad experience it's about taking the positives/negatives and weighing in on them. For me personally it was career path to being poor, underpaid (I was overqualified) and undervalued. The good things being at the time I couldn't find work in my sector abroad and I love asia (luckily I know have a much better career in Korea after being outsourced). The thing I do miss the most is the appreciation from students, this is one thing you don't find in a lot of jobs. However this is not worth the lack of respect from adults (even at professor level), the criticism of the profession which I can see is justified sometimes and the severe lack of pay (4 times less than other skills).
I would not say every hagwon is a nightmare story but the lack of prestige, especially if you have worked in other careers is horrible in itself. It's even worse for those who just have a BSc, the less qualified you are the more expendable you are and usually you are treated as such. The problem is there are loads of people at this level in Korea and the reqs are going up so there are going to be even more people and the competition is going to get worse. May seem like a harsh analysis but it's a neutral view whether it turns out to be right or wrong. |
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Smithington
Joined: 14 Dec 2011
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| Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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OP, I wish you well. Regardless of one's attitude to working in a foreign country, and your adventurous spirit, Korea can be a struggle. I'm a long-timer here and I've worked at some good jobs and at some hell holes (even certain public schools can be a nightmare). I've also experienced the emotions you are feeling, and a desire to get out of this place. I've stayed for a relationship, but if I had been single I'd have left long ago with the same "you can nuke each other now" attitude towards the peninsula. I stayed, and I know there are good things here too, but if you're trapped in a very bad job (and sometimnes you've no idea how bad it is until you're locked into a contract) it can a very bad place to be. Again, you can't even quit the hell-hole job and find another without grovelling for a release letter. I fully understand how you are feeling, and your wish to escape while giving your employer the middle finger on the way out.
Don't let anyone here deligitimize your feelings or experiences here. The web is chock full of stories of people just like you expressing similar sentiments about teaching in Korea. Christ, plenty of people started their own blogs exclusively to rant about this place. Korea has its merits, but it has plenty of drawbacks too, and when your job sucks the negatives can pile up quite quickly.
I'm happy that you are getting out on your terms. Good luck with resolving your pet transport situation. As you say, Korea doesn't even let you leave easily.
Best of luck to you. |
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Whitegirlinasia
Joined: 09 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 11:40 pm Post subject: |
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T MINUS 24 HOURS. Packing and cleaning like a mad woman. Wish me luck guys. I fly out at 5:50 pm tomorrow and I'm kind of a nervous wreck. But I'm not also so excited to be free.
If I never see another bit of kimchi or classroom again it will be too soon. |
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SeoulNate
Joined: 04 Jun 2010
Location: Hyehwa
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| Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 1:20 am Post subject: |
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| Adam Carolla wrote: |
Intent makes one an asshole dummy. Your intent was to be demeaning to someone looking for help. Good for you, mission accomplished.
Next, you made assertions that you can't come close to backing up. This also makes you an asshole. So, you can believe whatever you like about yourself, but the "truth" is, you're a horrible human being. Enjoy growing old and being alone. |
Assertion was backed up in one of your quoted passages. |
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