Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Aidge]

Well, I've done it. No more asking about this school or that school - I've signed on and I'm comin' over! I decided on a new, small school with a reliable recruiter. I'll be the only foreign teacher for now. I've never been away from home for this long, and I've never left the country really. SO...I'm inviting any positive tips or wise warnings for my situation. I'm green, open-minded, excited, hoping to meet friendly fun people even though I'm the lone teacher at my school. What should I do? Also, does anyone have good church recommendations? I'll appreciate any good hook-ups or ideas for the new girl. Also, I'm just outside the city - in Suji. Thanx



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[Dalton]

Congratulations.

Here's some positive stuff- I've been the only teacher at the school 3 times and I liked it. Churches seem to be all over Korea and I've seen many that advertise English sermons Sunday mornings. Read up on culture shock. It's subtle and you should be aware of the warning signs. I have a personal theory that many bad experiences here are because of culture shock effects on younger, first time teachers. Read up on the Korean alphabet. It's easy to learn. Some sites 'say' Korean words and phrases for you to practice if you wish.

On the whole I think that if you do the best job you can for the students, save money and keep a happy demeanor at work then you will likely have a very good experience. Don't get hung up on the details. Don't get hung up on anything negative (posts, conversations) that 'sounds like' your situation. If it didn't bother you before then why now? Save money. Connect with others for shopping trips, advice etc. Maybe there is a popular foreigner hangout in your area to meet people. Get someone at your school to legibly write down taxi instructions to your apartment. Don't get upset about your apartment. Save and buy some knick knacks or useful items. Stuff can be cheap here. Used furniture stores seem plentiful.

Good luck and have fun!

[mezdupa]

[ajuma]

When you get here, get a business card from your school. If you get lost, you can show the card to a taxi driver and get "home". Sure helps if you don't know where the heck (wish I could use the other word...more appropriate!) you are!

[Aidge]

Thanks everyone, these are great tips! Keep 'em comin!

[peppermint]

sometime when you've got a few hours free- hop on a bus and just take the round trip. Make note of anywhere that looks interesting and the bus route so you can get back there. It's a good way to get familiar with things, and very cheap too.

( Don't do this if you live in Cheong ju though. They don't believe in round trips there, and you WILL end up in a rice paddy)

[Eazy_E]

Find a way to keep busy! Get a laptop or PS2 if you don't have one, something to watch movies on. I highly recommend a gym pass too. It's pretty expensive here, but well worth it for dealing with the stress and finding something constructive to do with your free time. People at the gym are often friendly too. Plan some trips - getting around this country is easy and pretty affordable. The new high speed train is fun.

I have been the only foreign teacher at my school for a whole year, and I still have my sanity intact (as far as I know). It can be done!

[Alpha]

If you need to withdraw money from your bank account, look for ATMs in the subway. Your ATM card won't work in Korean ATMs, although you can get cash advance using your credit cards. Also, buy a pocket sized English-Korean dictionary so that you can kind of communicate with Koreans without having to resort to playing pictionary or inventing a new body language. If you have difficulty communicating with your employer, or co-workers, use these two sites to translate what you want to say in English to Korean (vice versa,) and hyave them read it. It's not totally accurate (sometimes certain meaning, and subtleties of the word gets lost in translation,) but people will get the gist of it, and understand what you are trying to say. http://worldlingo.com/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html http://www.systransoft.com/ Good luck, and welcome to Korea.

[OiGirl]

[The Hammer]

This is your dad speaking.

After you get settled in open a savings account.

I say again...

Open a savings account.
Save your money.
Don't forget to save your money.

This has been a PSA from your dad.

[Juggertha]

Relax and be open to trying new things. I know that sounds simple enough but don't just skip over it. Really take it all in.

[Seoul Skye]

Ask your hawon owner to help you purchase a cell phone. To get the more afforable service, you'll need a Korean to sponsor the phone. Then, no matter where you roam in Korea on your days off, you have quick telephonic access to people who can help you if you run into trouble or need someone to interpret for you. Both Samsung and Motorola sell cell phones (handuh phones) with Korean/English menus.

Join Korea TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) www.kotesol.org Their monthly chapter meetings can be very useful for picking up more teaching ideas to add to your repetoire.

[Hollywoodaction]

Deodorant is now for sale in most grocery stores (stick and spray). Prices start at 3600 won (expensive, but a stick lasts long enough, so it's no big deal).

You'd be surprised how much stuff is available online, but so much of the same, it seems, in the stores.

Don't worry about prescription glasses or contact lenses, real cheap in Korea (and the eye exam is free).

There's a pharmacy at every corner, so you don't need to worry about that. If you're on medication, have your doctor verify that it's available in Korea (don't bother to bring a huge stock because it always seems to be cheaper here (and Korean health insurance covers some of the cost ( it covers dental too!)).

LEARN TO READ KOREAN ! Can't stress that enough. Took me 15 minutes to get the basics, and a couple of weeks to be comfortable with it. Makes life a lot easier. Speaking Korean is much more difficult, but Koreans use a lot of English loan words, so you can get around without difficulty.

And beware of the soju hangover. Makes you understand why a bottle of soju is only 800 won at the grocery store.

[Alpha]

[zee]

You can use foreign ATM cards most places (look for symbols on the machine) BUT the problem I had is that my PIN code from my Canadian bank account is 6 digits, but the Korean machines only accept 4 digits.

SO.....if you want to have access to your home bank account, make sure you have a 4 digit PIN (I can't change mine now that I am here )