Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mercury]

We have the tip of the iceburg here, all of the posts...........but I really wonder what is going on underneath it all. Why are the teachers here, they come from all over the world, the main thing they have in common is the fact they can speak English. But what other things do you find in common? I think many are here because they have needs that they were not getting back in their countries of origin. Maybe it was a need to find a wife. Maybe it was a need to get a job and have money. Maybe teaching gives people needs that make them feel important or respected. I was at school today and an old Englishman came in smelling of soju. He had a wrinkled suit on and could hardly walk straight. He wanted a job but was refused. I went outside with him and bought him a sandwich at Family Mart. After about a half hour of talking with him, a very beautiful young college student came to pick him up. He was living with her and her family! She treated him with so much respect. In London he would have just been some bum, people would have glared at him. Here in Korea he was respected! The cashier at Family Mart bowed to him! The people on street smiled at him! Can Korea be the haven for the rejected? I have seen the same thing with overweight women here! They are given respect, told they are beautiful, have many dates! Needs! Guys too. The biggest nerds in our society could come to Korea, go to a night club, and walk out with a fine looking girl. No joke! Needs, Korea to me is like the land of OZ.

[agraham]

[Demophobe]

[I_Am_Wrong]

dude...you're freaking weird

btw...what does this have to do with psychology? Have you ever studied psychology?

[captain kirk]

Do you really think the foreigners you refer to are respected? Used, yes.

[mercury]

[Real Reality]

You might enjoy reading the following article.

Do You Need Therapy?
by Lizette Potgieter, Korea Times (March 18, 2004)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/200403/kt2004031817153511680.htm
Selected Quotation:
Living today is more difficult and stressful than ever before, said a couple of therapists when questioned on the matter. We live in an era where the escalating divorce rate, alcoholism, anxiety and depression affect the psyche of every Korean in some way or the other. Just about every Korean suffers from soul-deadening mental, physical or emotional tiredness.

Fresh Cartoon of the Day
http://www.offthemark.com/daily.asp

[rapier]

[quote="mercury"]many are here because they have needs that they were not getting back in their countries of origin. Maybe it was a need to find a wife. quote]

If I wanted an easy wife i'd be in some impoverished country like Vietnam where the women want to marry a passport.
I'm no western dropout either, but my home country in Africa is pretty unliveable right now.

Although, yes, i suspect a lot of westerners are here because they're too maladjusted to fit in back home. But, not everyone can, wants to, or should be in the mainstream. Variety is the spice of life- I've certainly met a few interesting characters out here-without judging them too much.

[Rock]

Maybe you ought to correlate this with studies of immigrants in your own country, then you'll see that we're all just human beings.

If you're maladjusted. . .that's one of the copouts some try to hang on those who pursue this profession. If you're maladjusted, if this isn't a profession, then you're maladjusted, and certainly it wouldn't but make itself known here in Korea too and this job appear just like it is; not a profession and one most don't take seriously.

It's the psychology of it all.

For me personally, I'm thinking of pursuing a teaching career and this fits my station in life right now. Yeah, maladjusted to Korea most are, and I've been. I suppose you're not going to find any dinks here though, nor are you likely to find those with kids, so here we are.

We're a human resource, and not so un-needed afterall.

[captain kirk]

Real Reality, why would someone with a degree in psychology need pointers to an article 'do you need therapy?' unless they were maladjusted? Is that possible? I think, with a degree in psychology under my belt, I'd be able to spot the nuances between real respect and feigned respect given by Koreans to foreign teachers. He seems to be implying Korea is a rather madcap realm....

[Deconstructor]

Clearly there are many reasons why people end up in different parts of the world.

I went to Korea because:

1. Just graduated with a BA in English.

2. Couldn't find a job.

3. Wanted to see the world.

4. Finding a job in Korea was easier than changing underwear.

5. Paid airfare.

For me it was a great opportunity to break out and learn something new. I had no intention of staying in Korea for years or anywhere else for that matter. After a year I came back home and finished a master's which gave me so many great opportunities to teach like in a public school, where I still teach, even universities. After MA I taught in Germany and Armenia for six months each. I would still like to travel, but would never put myself in harm's way where I have to deal with crooks, liars, and incompetent DOSs as I did in Korea.

I have to admit, I did meet many TEFLers who were seriously running away from something. I knew this American who used to work for some senator back in DC but somehow couldn�t cut it and was making the least amount of money among his friends. He couldn�t bear the shame I think so took off. I mean this guy had gone from the center of the world to the farthest corner of the world: Kang-jin, two hour bus ride south from Kuang-ju. Plus he told me he'd been molested as a child. That'll f*ck up anyone. No pun intended.

[Tiger Beer]

I'm in Korea because..

1) I'm obsessed with Travel.
2) Always like being a 'minority' person - not the mainstream majority.
3) I like Asian cultures and peoples.
4) I like being a part of an 'expat' community.

[billybrobby]

[pollyplummer]

I wouldn't say that living in Korea is like living in Oz. Maybe like Oz + Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Mood... (now that scares the crap out of me!) Sure, it's a bit surreal at times but well worth it, depending on your motivation for coming.

I'm in Korea because I'm paying off school loans. Surprise, surprise.

My surreal event of the day is... the school workers went to immigration to get my ARC for me. They said, "You really shouldnt have to go to immigration at all. We will take care of it for you." I was thrilled! I only ever hear how much of a pain in the bootay it is to hassle with immigration to do this kind of thing.

[adventureman]