Korean Job Discussion Forums

Bling · Joined: 10 Oct 2005

I'm curious as to what it's like to be the only non-Korean teacher at a hagwon. I'm about to have interviews with one in Ilsan (like the sound of the place) and I just had one with a place in Pyeongtaek (not so sure there's much there), and at both places I'd be the only foreigner. I don't know anyone in Korea and have no troubles with going there facing this prospect...I just wonder how much harder it will be to meet people to hang out with.
Also, I know there hasn't been much of the good stuff said about Pyoengtaek...is anyone else there now who can make me believe that I might enjoy my time there? I'm not looking for huge amounts of nightlife...just some good company, a few entertainment options and to not have to travel elsewhere EVERY time I'm looking for something to do! Any comments would be much appreciated:)

margaret · Joined: 14 Oct 2003

At my first job I was the only non-Korean English teacher but it was a big enough school that I had English speaking friends so I wasn't lonely. This time it's a small school and only the bosses speak English. I would be very lonely if I hadn't come with my boyfriend. I speak a little Korean but not enough to make friends who don't speak English.
Margaret

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

It depends on where you are I suppose. I was the only teacher at my last job, but the Korean teachers were all very friendly and made me feel welcome. I actually enjoyed being the sole English expert there.

If only the boss would have paid me regularly. Confused

inkoreafornow · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Location: Gyeonggido

At my last job, the other foriegner was brain dead so I hung out with a really cool Korean coworker. He would back me up on things and do straight translations to the boss for me so I always felt like I had some support.

Now I'm working at a public school and I'm the only non-Korean and it is just about painful because I don't have any support on anything. When I tell them things like "you can't expect the children to do their best if you give them only 4 days worth of notice for the the speaking competition" they say crap like, "why not?"

When I told them that I wouldn't come to school because I was still on vacation and there weren't any classes (it was a day for the Korean homeroom teachers to fix their classrooms). Since I don't have a classroom and was still on vacation I told them I wasn't comming in. They told me "everyone will be here. The other teachers will be jealous if you're not here." So what happened? I show up for work and the Korean teachers unlock their classrooms, let the mothers into the rooms to clean, and then went to their teacher's offices for coffee and grean tea! Two hours later they took their one hour lunch break. When they got back from lunch, they went home.

When I need to talk to the principal about something, I have to convince one of the English speaking Korean teachers that what I want to propose to the principal is worth his (the principal's) time so I need to put on a little song and dance for them to just translate for me.

I could really start to vent but I'm not going to. All I have to say is you have to have some fairly thick skin to be the lone non-Korean at your school. If you do decide to be the lone gun with the K-league all-stars do yourself one really big favor: make your contract as narrowly defined as possible and stick to it. If you are really lucky, the boss will be a great guy/gal and you won't have anything to worry about. I hope that is the case.

The Kung Fu Hustle · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Location: Incheon

I'm the only foreigner at my hagwon and I rather like it. If you desperately hafta hang out with other foreigners I'm sure there will be competing hagwons surrounding your prospective one and they'll offer up fellow waygooks to party with.

The thing about being the only foreigner is that you have more of a bargaining chip. When push comes to shove you're the only reason they're charging 120,000 instead of 80,000 or whatever a month. If you go, so does the cash. This is a particularly useful standpoint to have in negotiations. Otherwise the boss can just get your workmates to fill in for you.

My boss speaks great English but we're not good friends. Some of the K teachers I've worked with have been awesome and have made work a pleasure.

Come here with an open mind and a good textbook, get a Korean study buddy or boyfriend / girlfriend and in 6 months you'll have accrued a keen network of Korean friends that will be more valuable than any other potential foreign teachers that missed out on your good kind friendship.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

I like being the only foreigner at my school. I like being queen of my domain.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

If you're the type that doesn't thrive on a certain level of "me time", you might find it very isolating. I know many times during our teacher outings, I spend a good two hours contemplating a beer label while the rest of the teachers jabber away in Korean. The thing about being in Korea is everything is a novel experience on some level, even things that would normally be rather boring. I don't mind sitting back and observing. If I really wanted to be part of the conversation, I could bone up on my Korean skills. I'm getting exactly out of this what I wanted.

If you work with another foreigner you run the risk of getting stuck with a serious loser who can't function in western society. If the guy is the type who ham fistedly hits on his female coworkers or the students, yells at management, and acts like he wants Koreans to kiss his ass because he's white, you might find yourself walking into a situation where everyone prejudges you by the company you're expected to keep.

Panic Button · Joined: 15 Jul 2005

I thought that being the only foreigner would eliminate any possibility of being stuck with a weirdo co-worker who you had to pretend to like for a year.

In hindsight I think it was a good move. Its gives me independece work-wise and half of the foreigners I meet out and about make me think "f****** hell, I'm pleased I'm not working with you!"

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:34 am Post subject:

Like many others on this thread, I too have enjoyed being the only foreigner on staff: I'm the resident expert, the last word, when it comes to English pronunciation and usage.

And there's no politicking, competitiveness, comparisons, etc.

Just simple living, with a great director and nice Korean teachers.

There are ALWAYS other hagwons in town. You could approach them and meet the foreign teacher on their staff.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I also am the only foreigner and i like it..

It helps to have a good boss and nice korean teachers...

If you live in a small city it might be a bit rough but if it is a big city (Ilsan and Pyeongtaek are big enough) then meeting foreigners shouldn't be a problem for you...

At least you don't have to live and/or work with someone you don't like

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

I am the only foreigner at my school and in one month will be the only foreigner in my city. At first, I felt extremely isolated. There were times when I would head down to the tiny cafeteria for lunch and turn around and leave because it was full of the other Korean teachers and I'd be too nervous to alter the atmosphere of the room.

Now, I just take it for what it is. Yes, my presence may make some people uncomfortable, especially the people who are supposed to be able to speak English and can't, but I don't care. I like being the adored foreigner when we go out for drinks, and having everyone fawn over my pathetic Korean ability. Like last week, I pointed out that one of the teachers at the hagwon is gorgeous, and now all the K guys are on a mission to set me up with her. It's great!

It just depends on you. And, as mentioned, if you work with other foreigners you a) will not be the sole authority on English and b) might end up with a weirdo.

Best of luck!
Q~

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

I'm not far from Seoul so I can't comment on that... well I guess I had the small town experience in Taiwan so I can kind of imagine. Small town life is boring and it's hard to date because everybody in town knows who you dated last week. Professionally I liked it in Taiwan so I sought such a job here in Korea. It's good to be the resident expert and be important to the school. When there are two or more teachers you are just indentured servants. When there is only one you're the Director of the Conversational English Department.

Bling · Joined: 10 Oct 2005

thursdays child · Joined: 21 Sep 2005

I was solo F Teacher in a Hogwan in a small town. It was fine. There wasn't much support but if you're in to just doing things your own way there's no worries. Build your own kingdom! You meet more people if your on your own too.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

At my first job there were 3 other foreigners, all generally helpful, and very different personalities. I found it helped a lot as an intro to Korea.

If you're willing to brave it alone, Ilsan should be an easy place to make friends.

Be warned, though, about hogwan brats in Ilsan. I've known a few people who taught there who thought the kids were just appalling, rich, spoiled brats.