Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Grotto]

The long and short of it is no one can predict what kind of time you will have when you arrive here.

You may have an enriching happy experience or you may get a taste of hogwan hell.

Either way you will experience a growth experience. If you can stick it out for an entire year you will have gained self confidence, strength of character, and expanded your boundries.

I highly recommend it as any experience which does not kill us only makes us stronger.

When you come, and I hope you do, keep in mind it is a one year commitment.

My own personal experiences have strengthened my character, made me a better teacher and taught me alot about other people and myself.

Best of luck.

[raiden]

I just wanted to thank everybody for their thoughtful responses! I really value your input, and you've all given me stuff to think about. If I have any more questions, I will definitely post again.

Cheers

[captain kirk]

I hear the gasping, flighty breathing of a person holding their breath as they set to leap. Having made the impossible goal of landing and being in control immediately. At the same time heeding the fear that says this just isn't possible, and getting hectic.
How can a person expect to leap into a new environment and job and make no mistakes? Korea has different cultural notions of correct behaviour, so you can't not make mistakes when you arrive. There's no huge expectation upon arrival. The boss, Korean teachers, kids, etc. will enjoy the excited attitude you have of 'not knowing what the flock is going on and...loving it'.
It's not unheard of for newcomers to be fired the first year or sold off to another school. If a newcomer tries to relax and avoid reacting negatively to the unknown (but perceived as negative) that's something to work with, and enjoy, the 'madness'.

[stevie rotten]

if you get a school to pay your airfare upfront then give it a shot.
you're probably not going to find the experience enriching in the least but you will leave with a little more appreciation for your home country.
'cept for a few oddballs the money is the only thing that brings and keeps any of us here.
the kids will not respect you. nobody will.
the schools will try to cheat you. it's just a matter of how much.
things can go alright though. if it works out then stick around. if it doesn't then you can take off and travel around asia or look for work elsewhere.
this place is a joke but if you just don't take anything here seriously you'll be alright.
hope this helps

[Zenpickle]

[Zenpickle]

[quote="Saxiif"]

[Sarah-in-Korea]

What have you got to lose???
Are you giving up a career or a potential career?? No!!
If you get a job that provides airfare then the cost of setting up is almost ZERO.
You may as well get SOME use out of that degree you paid so much for.
Many people (like me) who came here came for financial reasons, regardless of how noble they try to appear.
Many people here never dreamed of being a teacher, but it's as easy as falling off a bike and can be quite rewarding. Now I am actually going to go home and get my teaching qualification which I never thought I'd do.

And for me the biggest reason is:

YOU CAN ALWAYS GO HOME IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT!

It's that simple. 2 months notice.

You'll never know until you try. I'm glad in some ways that I came here (my husband and I can buy a house after a few years working here, not possible at home) but frustrated in others (career paths can be destroyed as the saving potential here is so much better than at home). Overall though, no regrets. They don't work

Good luck

SiK

[Ryst Helmut]

[sublimeshawn]

Umm Id say go for it! You can always come back if you absolutely hate it! Korea is what you make of it I think. As far as speaking to kids and public speaking skills, I hardly think that talking to children for one and for two to kids that dont understand 90% of what you say, is going to cure you of any public speaking phobia, but it might help some. I encourage to get to a place where there are plenty of foreigners, in my case im in a town with hardly any foreigners and I can go months without seeing any foreigners. I have to make trips to seoul to do that which gets old quick when you wanna drink and not stay up till the next morning its a major pain! Myself Ive done many proffesions in my life and now I can say english teacher as well but I dont see it as a career just a stop gap for most, unless you get a sweet gig and immerse yourself in the culture of whereever your teaching including learning the language, you will never feel close to being anthing normal! but I digress, get your ass over here, Im 6'3 and 300 plus pounds when i got here so as far as the kids ribbing you, yes they will theyll poke at your fat and do other things, but theyll also hug you all the time and be quite the little darlings at times. If anything it will help make you more tolerant to a lot of things especiially if your in a hogwan! now whether tolerance in that context is a good or bad thing, you'll get a wide variety of opinion from the ecclectic group of characters on this board!

[Eazy_E]

Hey Shawn, good to hear from you again.

I have to add my two cents to this discussion: you should come to this place to pay off debts, experience Asian culture, see the world, whatever, then GET OUT unless it's a step on your career path to something else. I've had some good times here, but also some lonely times as I'm in a similar situation to Shawn (we live in the same district actually, but not close to each other).

I really think that a second year here would be more fun than my first. I have some of the lingo down, know the ropes of the business, met some people, etc. But when I'm trying in vain to force some spoiled Korean brats to utter a few words of Konglish, I feel like I'm wasting my potential somehow. I want to do something fascinating that's going to make a big difference in other people's lives. Right now teaching English to children isn't it.

I don't want to sound bitter or disillusioned. I've had some happy times teaching the kids, and Korea can be an interesting place to live. I've also saved some fat coin to take home with me. But I'm really debating whether a second year would be a good idea or not, or whether I should just get out of this vortex and restart my "real life" back home.

[Saxiif]

[quote="Zenpickle"]

[jazblanc77]

I suspect that if the OP actually makes it to Korea, they will be creating another thread by the name of "Shoud I stay or should I go", not long after thier arrival.

[ajuma]

Ryst: Yeah, but HE found a cutie and THAT'S why he stays! (BTW, she's fine...we drank together the other night...she misses your friend, but she's ok)

And you're right about not always liking Korea the first time out (witness my son, who I CAN'T SEEM TO GET RID OF! Although he's in the States...temporarily!), but I ALSO suggested "guest teaching" and going with her friend to her school. It MAY give her the courage to try it herself, or prove to her that she's not cut out for foreign adventure.

Yep, having a * load of student loans sucks, but being stuck in a "retail job with no future" sucks more!

PS: Love your avitar!!! Do you miss the REAL Rebecca????

[Wishmaster]

Exactly as several of these poster have said...what does it cost you? Not much. Hell, I knew someone that came to Korea with $230!. Your plane ticket(the major hurdle) is paid for you and you've got a place to sleep. If your school is reputable and your boss isn't a complete ass, you can have quite a good and comfortable situation here. Hey, this teaching gig is short term anyway...you're only going to be doing it for a very short period of your life...what have you got to lose? As one poster said, "you can always go home". True enough. And you don't even have to give 2 months. You can leave whenever you want. Personally, Korea can be quite a good experience as long as you have patience and common sense.