Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ya-ta Boy]

I left Korea early in January, so I've been home more than two months. I've been keeping busy doing some graduate courses at night so I can re-certify to teach high school in the fall. Last week I sent in my first job application (jobs for Fall '05) are just now beginning to open.

Everything should be fine.

But, they aren't. Being back around the family has been nice enough. But I don't want to spend all my time with them. My friends all live on the other side of the state, so I don't see as much of them as I want. It was exciting going to a grocery store the first few times and being able to select from 50 different cheeses, etc. Very fine! But eating is not the sole purpose in my life. My graduate courses are even more boring than I expected. (Why do they ALWAYS choose profs who can't teach to teach teachers?) I've been unpleasantly reminded of just how political American education is and I am fast losing my interest in getting back into it.

I think what it comes down to is that daily life here is not as interesting and entertaining as my life in Korea was. And I miss it. A lot. Or am I jumping the gun and should wait and try teaching high school again on the hope that life will be more fun when I'm working a regular routine?

Could it be that I'm genetically predisposed to be an expat? Am I fighting against nature here?

At this point, I'm trying to decide if I should dump everything back into packing boxes and rent a long-term storage space and take off again. If I do, should I come back to Korea where I know the ropes and can make money? Should I explore some other country and culture? I didn't see any job sites in Madagascar or Ethiopia yesterday. What about Eastern Europe? Romania or Ukraine could be fun. Maybe.

Anyone out there want to take over my life for a day or so and make a decision for me? What about a suggestion then?

[keithinkorea]

When in doubt travel?

Finish what you started and then go somewhere for a nice holiday.

It sounds as though you need to think before you make a decision. Just chill. Go to somewhere relaxing, lie on hot sand, look at trees.

What do you want in life? Think about it, it's important stuff.

Good luck.

[Cacique]

I can sort of relate. I'm at the 10 month mark on my 12 month contract and am considering whether to stay in Masan, try a new city in Korea, or try a new country altogether.

Masan has been pleasant enough, but I wonder if the grass is greener elsewhere? Taiwan sounds interesting, as does Japan. When I did my Visa run to Japan last summer, I thought Fukoaka was absolutely beautiful and horrifically expensive at the same time.

Why not try another country? I've heard Taiwan can be fun. The only thing that scares me off is that after 10 months here, I finally know how to ask some basic questions, can count to 100, can order a beer or a meal, and I hate like the dickens to have to start all over again. But, things could be worse.

Now, I realize all I'm doing here is mixing in my indecsion with your indecesion, and soon we will have one huge, bubbling cauldron of indecision brewing here, but my suggestion is go to another country. It's not like you're already here in Korea, so why not try it somewhere else? How about China?

[Tiger Beer]

[Eazy_E]

Oh man this is deja vu all over again..... I went through this same thing about 6 months ago. I did one year in Korea, and after 10 months I had to start thinking about another year in Korea vs. Japan vs. just going home and starting my "real world" career.

I can't say I really disliked Korea... I liked the food even though it was a little monotonous. I liked teaching most days even though I got a bit worn out due to lack of holidays in my contract. I liked the kids and still miss them. My bosses were honest and took care of me. I had made a few friends, foreign and Korean. I had reason to think that a second year would have been better than my first.

I never really got used to the place though. I guess you really have to ask yourself if you're the type of person who's comfortable spending a number of years away from your friends, family, and everything that's familiar to you. For me the answer was no. I think you pay a price living in a foreign place where you're working in a job that's not really your chosen profession. Teaching was kind of a lark for me.

So yeah mate, if you really like teaching and you think you could do it for a long time, keep at it. I miss the kimchi as much as you do.

[Zark]

One of the best things about the Peace Corps - when I was in - is that they gave you culture shock training - BEFORE you went back home. There is pretty good research about the level of feelings you'll have in accordance with the level of adaptation where you were.

Tough it out though - people with certifications - and experience - from their home country have many more options. Tough it out the same way you would tough out a new country that wasn't going well for you. I think we set up idealized notions about our home country while we are gone.

All that said, there is a permanent expat type - I am one of them. After two years in Africa (Botswana 89-91) - I've only spent a total of one year back in the States. Just too stimulating out here - I find my home State/City - just too dependable (kinda boring actually).

There is a big wide world out there - other than Korea - and most of it is much more interesting than Korea - and most of it much more enjoyable than Korea. If you wrap up your re-certification - you'll have more opportunties in those other places.

Consider: the Middle East - you can earn twice as much. Thailand - you'll enjoy life MUCH MUCH more. Taiwan - higher quality of life, friendlier people, save a little less.

Whatever you do - career expat is not such a bad life . . .

[Kenny Kimchee]

I got a buddy who's about to head back to Korea for the third time in three years. He left Korea two years ago, ostensibly (sp?) to go back to Canada and settle down; he ended up getting an apartment, sitting around all day on the Internet, and then going back to Korea. He did a gig in Korea and then went back to Canada, again to try to settle down. He ended up getting a crap job in a video store, making about 1/4 of what he was making in Korea. Guess what? He's going back again. Works for me, though; he's a good friend and I'd like to see him again, and Seoul is a lot closer to Fukuoka than Saskatoon is.

Good luck with your decision. You know, once you get certified to teach that will open up a whole other world of possibilities - international schools, the NET program in HK, etc.

[Dawn]

Since you've already started the recertification process, you may as well finish it. Once you do, you'll have the option of teaching in the States or in legit international schools the world over. A master's will also open the door to university positions in a number of countries, while a valid teaching certificate can help you command a premium salary should you choose to go the language institute route.

It took me seven years in the States to decide I really didn't want to spend the rest of my life climbing the corporate ladder or wrangling with the politics of No Child Left Behind. During that time, though, I got an M.Ed., added an elementary teaching certificate onto my initial high school certification, and got well-established in a career that I could easily return to if for any reason I had to return home for a time. Granted, the process of opening doors for yourself can be tedious at times. But in the long run, I think you'll find yourself happier in ANY job if you know you're not "locked" into it. To a large degree, I'm doing the same thing now that I was doing nine years ago, when I was fresh out of college and had just a B.Ed. The difference is that now I'm doing it solely because I want to do it -- not because my job options are limited. ... That freedom can make a huge difference in your job satisfaction.

[Zark]

I like Dawn's comments.

I don't know what it is - but while I take my career seriously here (or wherever I am) - I don't take it personally like I would back home - it isn't all wrapped up in my self concept and self worth. (Partly because we all know you can get canned for the most irrelevant of reasons - or no reason at all - here.)

I think that freedom thing that Dawn references might be the difference. I'm not locked in - I can take my qualifications and experience and do just fine in many countries. And . . . it is a point of great personal satisfaction that I have done well - and been successful in five different countries (other than my home country) so far. That adaptability - I value far more than anything else.

I would, truly, feel so trapped back in the States. That's not even mentioning the super wads of vacation time we can get overseas . . .

[alicat_blue]

I can really relate to your dilemma because I find it hard to commit to much of anything in the U.S. anymore. It is pretty damn boring there for one and everyone is so, well...I won't go into that. How long until you finish your graduate courses? It's always a good thing to get more education but when I lived in the U.S. I always felt like I was wasting time that I could be using to travel and see more of the world. I'm getting older and there is still so much I want to see that it feels like I'm in a race against time. I don't want to waste precious years in graduate school that I could be spending in the school of life out in the wide world. Just make a decision and stick to it whatever that may be. If you do decide to up and leave then why not check out another country. I think teaching in Thailand is a great idea; although not the best paying country, it's loads of fun. I spent six months in Chiang Mai and loved every minute of it. I'm so glad I taught there before coming to Korea.

[Zark]

Alicat said . . ."I don't want to waste precious years in graduate school that I could be spending in the school of life out in the wide world."

I would agree to some extent - but no matter how old you are now - and how you spend that time - in two years you will be two years older.

If a couple years of grad school can greatly enhance your wages - or move you from 2-4 weeks vacation a year to 3-5 months per year - then your time in the "school of life" will be greatly enhanced too.

Grad school, too, can be part of the "school of life". Like learning how to bite the bullet and invest in yourself.

Sorry, I'm a big fan of what advanced education has provided in my life. It was worth every expensive penny - and every year. It was an investment that paid off very well. I have, if nothing else, received back many fold - the time I spent - in extra vacation time to travel and relax and enjoy my life (I didn't/don't work so hard in college/university positions in four different countries) and I've certainly earned the money back in increased income.

Being a "lifer" expat - is not incompatible with a graduate education. If anything, it is an expander of that possibility.

Just my opinion.

[Koreabound2004]

True, and you can't really put "school of life" on a resume.

Heck, most employers don't even care that I have a B.A on my resume.

Travelling can be fun, but there comes a point where it's time to grow up and get established somewhere doing something.

I love being able to work here and see the world, but I want to go home and further my education, and build a life in my homeland. I realize that may not be everyone's goal....but it's what I want.

Ultimately, you have to do what is best for you, and I am sure the answer will come to you.

[alicat_blue]

I was just saying how I felt about my own situation and feelings. No reason for people to get all huffy about it.

[ajuma]

I agree with most of the posters. Finish what you set out to do while in the States, but leave your options open for after you finish your degree. You really may be cut out to be an ex-pat!

Have you taught in any other country besides Korea? Try a couple of other places. I taught in another country twice but realized that I'm really the most comfortable in Korea (here come the flames!! ). You may find that Korea really draws you...or that you're happier somewhere else! Explore your options!

I agree, though, that the US isn't all it's cracked up to be. While you may miss it a lot at first, you find that going back for any lenght of time makes you crazy. You've grown (believe it or not!) and your local bar and grill might not be enough for you now...especially since you'll be hanging with people who have never left the state, let alone the country!

[Ya-ta Boy]

There have been lots of interesting suggestions. Thanks.

Just to clear it up a bit: I'm taking grad courses till the end of June, at which time I'll get a 2-year temporary certificate for K-12. The original plan was to get a job in the meantime and complete my permanent certificate work next summer. (No interest in getting a Masters.)

I was glad to hear that others feel life at home is not particularly exciting. Misery loves company, I guess.