Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jajdude]

How many people here want to leave but feel stuck? A lot I would guess. Damn thing called money, and jobs. How many would be here given a chance to do as well elsewhere? A small few?

[tommynomad]

I fall into none of the above:

-don't feel stuck here anymore than anywhere else
-don't want to leave
-could make as much elsewhere

I never stay anywhere for the money. Bad motivator. Leads to resentment.

Hope you get over whatever funk you're in, 'dude.

[Koreabound2004]

I totally hear ya Jajdude.

I planned to go back home after my first year, but just realized I can't afford to(been paying off huge debts this year). I couldn't find a good paying job back home when I was living there and working(why I left for SK)....and going back and renting a place, and waiting to find a job just doesn't suit me well(can't go back to living with mom and dad)....I don't want to work as a telemarketer or go on welfare....can't really apply for jobs from here back home....and I don't have enough saved to live comfortably for who knows how long until I find one....

Geez...now I understand why people end up here for several years...it does indeed become a trap. It can really get you down. All I want to do is go home!

[Zark]

EFL can be a great career - but you do have to be careful and resourceful. And planning your exit strategy (from EFL and/or Korea) is an important part of expatriate life. Things can go sour - and/or - you might not adjust in any particular country.

Avoid that trapped feeling by keeping a "Plan B" and "Plan C".

If money is the issue, research places where money might be at least comparable - such as Taiwan. I spent two years there and saved about 2/3rds as much as I saved in Korea (not an insignificant amount mind you) - but the quality of life was FAR above here.

If the issue is just quality of life - and not money - research Thailand and/or Mexico/South America.

Somewhere in the middle of both (money and QofL): probably Vietnam.

All sorts of things can get to you - health issues, culture, even weather (I HATE cold). And, in this business - you just never know when you might get fired for anything or nothing. So - Plans B and C are a must. But you will also have an emotional "out" knowing that you CAN go if you want/need to - and possibly to a much better situation.

These boards are great places to explore. Dave's ESL in particular has helped me research and find work in Korea (twice), Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.

The five years I spent in Saudi were classic. I noticed so many depressed people at the airports - waiting to fly back after their vacations. I promised myself I wouldn't be one of them.

Set a goal - follow it - keep plan b and c in your back pocket.

This life is yours to live and manage - and enjoy.

[manlyboy]

How many people feel stuck here, but won't admit it?

[desultude]

I'm ambivalent. I have a great job, a good apartment, and plenty of time off. I like my colleagues, and am treated well.

On the other hand, I really don't love Daegu. I have friends here, but no true confianza (soulmate, best friend). I miss my best friend, and I miss the Miami/South Beach life and beauty. It's tough being away from one of the most beautiful places in the world. But the average residency in Miami is about 2 years- most of the people I knew are long gone- it's just too transient.

I have been reminding myself to appreciate more what I have here. This helps a lot. Also, I am thinking of going back to Miami for the summer, to remind myself that it isn't all that. It's becoming idealized in my mind- I need that reality check.

[mindmetoo]

Dude, didn't you just leave Korea for 'nam and then came back to Korea? You're changing the window dressing but not the foundation.

[rapier]

Changeing destinations is going back to square one, culturally.
Things only start to get good in korea after a couple of years or more- when you really start to get to grips with and understand the culture.
Why leave if you've come so far?

[The Great Toad]

Jajdude Ole boy! How is the health my Baseball Bat smacking Star? Do kids still poke you in the belly and call you teletubby? Ahhh you gotta love those little happy kids...

Ok here is some advice- it's all about money!

Show me the money!

When you have money you can pay people to be nice to you (all you filthy swine get your minds out of your blubbers) That is you can go on vacation for life and have service with a smile like when I was on Koa Toa - they were nice to me cause they saw the 1000 baht bills in my phat arse wallet. So my advice to you is to save up - research your newspaper for stocks and become an online stock gambling fiend. Then when your inherent brilliance garners you a pile of cash remember me- your grumpy ole buddy who ahhhh who ahhh once took out the trash maybe?

Ahhh so establish that money cushion so you can fall back on it should your Hogwon fail / try to cheat you.
Get an online ESL masters and then go teach at a Uni in France - I know u love that French lingo - errr welll just a thought. Or you could ahhh write yeah write a book and make money like that title would be -

The Story of Jajdude the Wandering Good Willed Relaxer

Or:

How to Kick it in life on an even Keel and Never look Angry

[Teufelswacht]

[Paji eh Wong]

[mercury]

I know EXACTLY what you mean, it is like that fruit in thailand, you know, the fruit that has the spikes, smells like *(*()) but tastes okay. That is Korea. The money, the fine women, the freedom to drink a Corona beer on the street, that is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet, but then the B.S of the rest of the culture, racism, stupidity, shady directors, that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

[SuperFly]

Zark speaks truth and Zark is right. Listen to Zark.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

Good post, Zark. (Sounds like the bad guy from G-Force.)

I'm presently trying to find university work stateside, but sometimes I do get that trapped feeling. Having said that, I think the longer I stay in Korea (2 years now) the more ways I find to keep my sanity and the better it gets.

One nice thing about Korea is that staying longer means better jobs, better money, and more holidays. Being able to spend a few months a year in places like Bali or the Philippines means I can enjoy those places without living like a pauper in them.

I can't say I liked Vietnam much. There's a mystique about that country among posters on this board, but to me the women weren't pretty, Hanoi was surprisingly cold, and the people were the most mercantile I've ever seen in my life. I wouldn't recommend it as an ESL place, not yet at least.

I loved teaching in Mexico. Loved it. But I left because the pay was so bad and I had the sword of student loans over my head. Life is a trade-off.

I agree that having an exit strategy is wise. I've met a few much older ESL teachers here and they aren't happy people-- they seem trapped here, financially unable to go home.

Ken:>

[captain kirk]

Is this some kind of test, like looking at an inkblot? Something to tease out any knots and get the real truth. Like, do you really like it here? Uh-huh (interview looks more closely at the respondent who suddenly dong chims that amateur psychologist ).