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Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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JongnoGuru
Joined: 25 May 2004
Location: peeing on your doorstep
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 Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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| bosintang wrote: |
| There's no exoticism in Korea because everyone's here. |
I'm not a Canadian or even in the ESL industry, but I couldn't agree more with this. |
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bosintang
Joined: 01 Dec 2003
Location: In the pot with the rest of the mutts
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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| chronicpride wrote: |
| bosintang wrote: |
I tell people back home I teach in Korea, and I get an "oh really.." dead-end sort of uninterested response. There's no exoticism in Korea because everyone's here.
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Is it not possible that you are projecting your own personal low opinion of living and working here, onto their unknown thoughts? |
First off you come from the West Coast, don't you? I come from the East Coast. That may make a difference.
And maybe my comment came off more exaggerated than I meant it. It's not that people back home have a low opinion of me when I tell them I'm teaching here or anything like that, but at the same time it's obvious that I'm not the first person they've known to be teaching here, and generally their comment will be along the lines of "Oh really? I know such-and-such-a-person is teaching there as well.", or one time, "Why are there so many people teaching in Korea? Why do they want to learn English so much?" (No lie, that really was a comment I received.) To put some context to my signature, my friend back home was at a party, and he told me of about 15 people at this party, something like 10 of them had taught in Korea and at least three of them were returning.
Basically what I'm getting at is that teaching in Korea is not seen back home (at least where I'm from) as shockingly original. If anything, I suspect many people where I'm from considering teaching here would *underestimate* how much of a unique and original experience this place can be rather than overestimate it. |
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JongnoGuru
Joined: 25 May 2004
Location: peeing on your doorstep
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Why don't Canada and Korea just marry each other? Or at least shack up for a few decades? |
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taejonguy
Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon, Korea
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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Why do I stay?
1. After 10 years here, when I go back to Canada next winter I will have enough saved to pay for a new mid-sized house (in cash).
2. My 2 children are becoming fluent in both languages and my 5 year old already acts as a translator for me whenever he feels it is necessary.
3. In reality my life here is not so different than it would be at home in Canada: get up, go to work, come home watch tv, go to bed and repeat.
4. I have the time and money to travel that I probably would not have if I lived in Canada. This year we went to the Phillipines for a week at New Years and we are going to Guam for a week next month. Sure feels more exotic than going to the Shuswap for a week or to Disneyland...
5. I have a job I enjoy and find challenging. I am treated well and make a lot of money for doing it. That is a combination tough to find anywhere!
So why you may ask am I going home? Good question! The simple answer is that international schools are obscenely expensive and, frankly, the one here in Daejeon has an iffy reputation. I was recently quoted a price for kindergarten, half days mind you(!) of W17,000,00 for the year. $20,000 Canadian is a bit extreme, in my opinion, for something that is basically free at home. I figure I can take a gross pay cut of that much and break even...never mind when the second one starts school!
Korea has been great for me and I will miss it dearly. Sure it has it's quirks and foibles, but immigrating to any country (even just to work for a year!) is tough.
Oh well, in the words of the great Ahh-nold....I'lll be back! |
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NearlyKorean
Joined: 15 Mar 2003
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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I know this place does not mesh with my type of personality.....
After I finish this contract, I'm out of here.
_________________
"Opinions are like teaching jobs in Korea, everyone has one.."
- My friend in Canada |
I wish you much success. There is nothing wrong with saying
"I don't like Korea. It's not for me." You sound like you have a good perspective about your experience. I wish you all the best.
To answer the question:Why am I in Korea?
I was a burned out children's social worker. 20 years in the social work biz can get to you. So instead of buying a sports car, I move to Korea. I have been here six years and have not regretted a minute of being here. Every place has a good side and bad side. No matter where you go life will give ups and downs....The trick is finding a place where you have more ups than downs. Trial and error is a good teacher. I applaud those people willing to take the risks.
I would agree and disagree with those who say life in Korea is what you make it. Some things are bad. If you don't get your pay, there is no way you are going to make going to make lemonade, if you have no money for the lemons.
On the other hand, I think something like being ask to remove your shoes, even in the apartment that is rented for you, is one of those "make lemonade" things.
However, everyone see things differently and reacts to this request differently. As for me, it was not a big deal, as my own upbringing involved removing your shoes when you went into our house. We had capreting in most of our house. Others will say, this is different and a pain in the backside but it is a chance to try learn more the culture so I am going to do it. Their upbringing may have been one of trying new things and experiencing something different. Then again, there are those who have did not have this upbringing. They see this as a pain in the backside to do. Also, their thinking might be, it's my apartment, I can do what ever I want. It's my choice. Who is right? I would say this it isn't a right or wrong issue. It's just different thinking. In a multiculture, being different isn't a crime. In a monoculture, it seems like thinking outside of the box is a crime.
Another example, you're walking home from work and see two middle school boys, walking and holding hands. Some people might think, they are homosexual and others might know that this is a sign of friendship in many countries and does not indicate sexual preference. It depends on your past expeiences.
Past experinces, good or bad will dictate how you react to a situation. They have also made you the person you are today. Whether you choose to change these reactions is a whole different story. Regardless of what choice you make, there are going to be consquences. They may be good and they may be bad, but they will be there. Some people are going to like what you do and some are not.
Reading the poster's tagline made me think of another saying I heard. I thought I would share with you.
"Opinions are like armpits, everyone has two of them and they usually stink."
Thanks for reading my rambling.
Best Regards,
NK. |
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pest2
Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 1:08 am Post subject: |
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[quote="NearlyKorean"]
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"Opinions are like armpits, everyone has two of them and they usually stink."
NK. |
the confluence of matters of opinion and matters of fact is where we need to look to make a choice, however. It is up to us to seperate the opinion that is not fact from the opinion that is fact and use it.. and I honestly believe that is the value of a forum like this. |
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Grotto
Joined: 21 Mar 2004
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 1:33 am Post subject: |
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3. In reality my life here is not so different than it would be at home in Canada: get up, go to work, come home watch tv, go to bed and repeat.
4. I have the time and money to travel that I probably would not have if I lived in Canada. |
I think this is the truest wisest post of the bunch. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 1:52 am Post subject: |
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| In general, people like to complain. It makes for interesting conversations. When I lived in Toronto I have complaints. When I lived in Seattle I had complaints. Doesn't mean I didn't like living in those places. |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 4:08 am Post subject: |
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I came here because I wanted a bit of a change in my life and I was a bit burned out from being in school for too many years. I've had both good and bad jobs back home, same as here. I believe that personality has a big thing to do with it. Some people may think that I'm a bit negative, but I'm a firm believer in the old saying of, "If you can't be happy here, you can't be happy anywhere." I was fairly happy back home, but I'm happier here. A friend of mine actually visited a year ago to see a Korean ex-g/f who had attended our local university. When he returned home, he informed other friends that I was the happiest he had ever seen me. Korea really isn't all that bad. As others have said, it has its good and bad points as all nations do. Come to experience and enjoy and see what happens. If you find yourself in a situation that's less than desirable, you can always bail and have a try elsewhere like Japan, Taiwan, Honk Kong, or China, right? I stay because I'm married and enjoy my work on most days. And, yes, the take home pay is slightly better and the healthcare and coverage is not too bad.
Last edited by denverdeath on Sun Jun 26, 2005 4:20 am; edited 1 time in total |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| mindmetoo wrote: |
| In general, people like to complain. It makes for interesting conversations. When I lived in Toronto I have complaints. When I lived in Seattle I had complaints. Doesn't mean I didn't like living in those places. |
I've usually avoided those kinds of conversations back home. And I do so here.
It's like gossiping about someone behind their back:
Complaining is one of the easiest and least interesting forms of conversation. It builds superficial bonds quickly.
Expressing frustration with a little self-deprecating humour is nice. But complaining too often sounds like whining especially when accompanied by resentment and ridicule. |
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pest2
Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 4:42 am Post subject: |
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| VanIslander wrote: |
Complaining is one of the easiest and least interesting forms of conversation. It builds superficial bonds quickly.
Expressing frustration with a little self-deprecating humour is nice. But complaining too often sounds like whining especially when accompanied by resentment and ridicule. |
hmmmmm this sounds alot like complaining....about complaining.. hahahahaha |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 5:01 am Post subject: |
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| pest2 wrote: |
| hmmmmm this sounds alot like complaining....about complaining.. hahahahaha |
It is a critical statement with a wholly matter of fact attitude.
Calling it as I see it. No anger about it.
I just avoid such conversations. That's my point. |
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dulouz
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Location: Uranus
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 5:08 am Post subject: |
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There's some wicked job security here, its literally 1 week between jobs.
In the states, unless you are highly sought after, its more like six months.
I'm retired that is I get a retirement check. That plus my pay equals my job back home. My job back home would make you cry with boredom and pain and theres lots of pressure. My income here is 4.5 - 5 times the salary of the average Korean and even more so for the rest of Asia. I'm in the investor class. I'm ashamed I'm not more proactive with my career. I don't want to work in my field much unless there are some very good terms.
These job are dead end, they really are but most jobs are. I'd like to work hard and make more money but the K's put a bunch of restrictions on us. I'm really tired of that. |
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dulouz
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Location: Uranus
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 5:51 am Post subject: |
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Oh yea, there are other reasons. The K's can be nutters sometimes but we never say anything like this tacked to our door.
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A message to the non-Muslims in Britain
As Muslims in the UK who have lived with you as neighbours for the past few decades, we feel obliged to warn you about the consequences of voting on Thursday the 5th of May 2005.
You should be fully aware by now that we, as followers of the messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) – The Saviour Sect, will never vote for any person who is going to make law. This is because we believe that nobody has the right to make law except almighty Allah, our lord and your lord. Therefore we consider voting an act of apostasy as it is a form of associating partners (i.e. another legislator) with our lord, which is one of the greatest unforgivable crimes in the Sharee'ah.
However, since you have sadly chosen to disbelieve in Allah and the true way of life which he has sent to the whole of mankind i.e. Islam, you do not see voting as such a serious crime; instead you see it as a privilege and hence the majority of you will most likely be voting in this year's general election.
For those of you who are going to vote, our advice to you is quite clear and simple. For the past few years now you have been voting for a government which has a policy of taking your people to war against Muslims. It is for this reason that the blood of innocent women and children of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine is still fresh on your hands as you were the ones who voted for these crusaders and tyrants.
It is because of your actions that many Muslims across the world now see you as their enemies and legitimate targets; whether you are a member of the British forces or even just a sympathiser or supporter. They have also issued countless warnings and threats informing you that should you vote for another leader who has a policy of killing Muslims under the pretext of "a war against terror (Islam)", nobody should be blamed for their actions or retaliation but yourselves.
We as Muslims in the UK sincerely and strongly urge you not to take the threats of these extremists lightly. We have already seen what they are capable of doing in New York and Washington on the 11th of September 2001; and we do not want to see a repeat of this blood bath on our doorsteps. Neither do we want to see a repeat of what is happening in Iraq, Afghanistan Palestine or even the USA, where there is no longer any sense of security and tranquillity for any of their citizens, and who are forever living in fear from any terrorist attack.
However, the best advice that we can give you is to not vote at all; at least this way, whatever your future MP or Prime Minister does, it will never be in your name. How many more times are you going to be stung in the same place by these politicians who will never stop lying to you and their only concern is to attain power and fulfil their selfish desires? Is it not about time for you to leave your darkness and enter into the light of Islam?
You know very well that the future of Great Britain and even the world is Islam, therefore why not accept your destiny now and handover your authority to the Muslims? As a religious obligation we would be obliged to protect you, and guarantee you and your family the basic human necessities of food, clothing and shelter. Under Islam there will never be any increase of tax, crime or poverty, and hospitals and schools will be given utmost priority.
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livinginkorea
Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Location: Korea, South of the border
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 6:12 am Post subject: |
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I stay here because I want to!! So sue me!!
Well to be honest, my girlfriend and my dog, the salary, the easier life, the cheaper life, illegal Xbox games, faster Internet connections, good food and the simple fact that I'm enjoying staying here!!
Let the good times contuine!!
(Except the heat) |
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