Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gregmgnz]

Hi Ho, I am considering teaching english in Skorea.
However, I have seen on these message boards that SKoreans can be discriminatory! I am a right arm amputee, would this pose a great problem with securing a position. I am a cheerful person and have a great sense of humour. l have a B/A and am enrolled for a teaching cert next month! . Greg, New Zealand.

[jajdude]

I knew a guy with only one arm teaching in Pohang in 1998. I guess he got more looks than usual, and some of the students talked to him like he dumb. But he seemed to take it in stride. He was over 50 as well.

[Corporal]

[gregmgnz]

The kids point me out here so np there...and pretty thick skinned i was in the territorials ..nzs part time army! oh and im 41

[lush72]

I knew a 1 armed lady here back in 97- she was teased daily by the kids and the adults alike- they would call her "ol' one armed bandit" and make the motion of using a slot maching when she was around. Not nice at all.. plus the kids were always taking advantage of the fact that she only had one arm- brutal..

[hellofaniceguy]

Not in korea.
You will be looked at differently, treated differently....you won't enjoy koreans.
Folks with disabilities in korea are not treated well at all.
If the school does not know that you have a disability, 95% of them, when they first see you, they will find a reason to send you packing.
Another country? Taiwan or Japan would be more receptive to people with disabilities than koreans judging from the progress those countries have made with "disabilities rights."
If the school does hire you...some students WILL complain to their "mommy's and daddy's" that "the teacher has only one arm, etc. and the parents will say something to the school owner who will say something to you.
But hey, you just might luck out and find a place!
Schools hire 99% of the time based on appearences and looks! Not on ones qualification or education.

[The Man known as The Man]

I like Corporal, but I disagree.

First, do NOT be cheerful-go to Korea, and don't let them grind you down.

[wylde]

they poke fun at the slightest defect here without using their brain..

you're fat
you're bald
you're old
your hair is bad

etc etc etc

i can see you being an obvious target for koreans..

knowing what i now know about korea and if it were me... i'd think twice.

i'm not trying to put you off.. i'm just trying to give you fair warning..

that said, i couldn't possibily know how they would react with an amputee (on second thought, crois has had 1/2 of his brain amputated and they seem ok with him)

good luck with your choice..

[gregmgnz]

I welcome anyone's obersvation good or bad about this issue...im pretty thick skinned and tend to ignor undue name calling..and my humour is pretty wacked out anyway.. i can ham it up with the best of them!
I get it in the clubs here anyway! so like its nothing new and i get if from kids..as well...
Could this reflect on skorea as having somesort of national insecurity complex! suonds like it, though wer've never been invaded...
I certainly wouldnt try to hide my amp from schools...if they dont my skills, goodlooks charm and wit then hey thats there issue..
i just wanna get into all that pickled cabbage!...

[Butterfly]

Teach adults, people are more open minded, so long as you are a good teacher. Children are horrible about such things nomatter where you go.

[Goro-chan]

I went on a visa run a few weeks back with a guy who had only had one arm too. He'd been in Korea for a while. And he was getting a new visa so he obviously found a job.

Sorry, proabaly not much help, but just to let you know that other people here are in the same situation as you and they have found jobs.

Good luck! I'm a Kiwi too. They like Kiwis here, alhtough it is a bit harder to find a job as they usually want Americans or Canadians as their first picks. Just persevere and you should find a good job.

[Sleepy in Seoul]

In Korea, most (Korean) disabled people tend to shy away from contact with other able-bodied people. So almost all Koreans don't see disabled people - and don't understand them. I have been told by some Korean friends that many Koreans think that a physical disability is just a manifestation of a mental problem (not precisely their words ). The answer (I think) is to work hard and show the students that you care about them. That will overcome most problems.

Expect the worst, and you won't be disappointed. And you might have a nice surprise waiting for you.

Don't let the negative people grind you down and tell you that it can't be done. It can. PM me if you want.

[lush72]

Also, you will be pointed at and laughed at by groups of "adults" here. This will happen, make no mistake about it. Yes, they dont know you, yes you did nothing wrong, and yes they will mock you right to your face and laugh at you. Better you know the truth now.

[just because]

Seriously...I am pro-SK most of the time but I wouldn't come here unless you have skin as thick as an elephant.

Everyone with ages ranging from 2 to 102 will be looking at you like a freak.

People with disablilites are generally locked up and not let out. It is seen as shameful.

[jajdude]

This thread reminds me why I wanted out! If you're perfectly cute you are fine. Otherwise have thick skin. Those people can be idiots about so many things most educated westerners just accept as normal.

Imagine you were a burn victim!@ Imagine a Korean being one, or in any other serious accident leaving paralysis, mutilation or deformity. I'd say the suicide rate must be high for those poor souls.

The association of physical diability with mental problems is a very weird one. Ya'd think perhaps mostly only kids thought that way? My younger brother had a silly joke about the wheelchair parking areas. He'd say, whoops, can't park there - that's the retarded zone!

Explains why Sptephen Hawking and Christopher Reeve are such morons I guess.