Korean Job Discussion Forums

antoniothegreat · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong

I have heard a lot of people complain about coteachers, and heard some terrible stories. I just want to hear what other people's situations are to compare and determine if i can find a better place. i guess this is kind of a survey.
My school is awesome, in that my coteachers always show up, none of them have ego problems, not very much in issues of contract disputes, I like my coteachers, the students are great, hell, I even have a three bedroom apt with a school supplied computer at school and home.
the drawback, i am in a tiny town with nothin to do. i am only an hour from Seoul, but sometimes i feel like i am missing a lot of Korea because I am in this small town. and it is pretty furstrating with members of the opposite sex, not impossible, just hard...
so, are all the benefits worth the small town drawback? do most people have a better situation? oh, i am making normal money (2mil) but will go up to 2.2 next month...

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

I second that, you sound like you are in a great situation to me. Your contract's not up in January by any chance is it? Wink

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

My situation's very similar to the OPs in almost all respects, including housing. Compared to working at a crap hogwan in a city it's heaven. Mind you, I was already familiar with Korea when I started and have friends in major cities I can visit on weekends.

mswiftansan · Joined: 01 Sep 2005

I agree with everyone. Sounds like you've got a good job. I had the same confusian at first. I'm stuck in an outlying area and there are no foreigners apart from me. What the hell had I gotten myself into? In order to stay sane and enjoy this trip I've made great efforts to befriend my co-workers (even though they don't speak that much english), joined a gym (even though it's a 20 min walk from my house) and get to know my neighbours (by saying annyonhaseo every time I see them) It's only my first year here, but from what I've heard about hagwons, public school might be more work, but it's a lot less stressful. Question: How are you going up by .2 mil in 2 months?

riley · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: where creditors can find me

So far, (only been working for 3 weeks) it's been pretty good. I have less stress from management. I don't have a co-teacher, so no problems. They have pretty much let me create my own curriculum, that's good but difficult when there's a class of 40 students with a huge variety of abilities. I also only see each class once a week. The staff is friendly and tries to be helpful.

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:05 pm Post subject:

This is the time to do those things that you will some day wish you did. For example, start taking a distance Masters. Study. Fill your time with study. It will pay off later in spades.

I know it's boring, but if you train your mind to do it, it will be soooo worth it. Happiness in work, and free time to better yourself is something that people the world over dream about.

See you situation as an advantage. Use time as a stepping stone.

Reach forward and get ahead of the game while you are still young.

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

antoniothegreat · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

Buy a car. You'll love it, it's a way of life.

Len8 · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Location: Kyungju

If you have a valid drivers licence from your home country get an international license quickly. Just a thought.

Used cars are very cheap, and most of them are roadworthy and in good condition. Get a KIA Pride. That's enought to get around in. You have to paye for insurance. It could be a lot to start with, but it will be worth it. Auto service in korea is excellent, and spare parts a cheap. Good cheap tires are readily available too.

Go visit the places where only Koreans hang out as well.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

don't get an international license, just get a korean license.

elg · Joined: 23 Aug 2005

getting an international license before you leave home to teach in any country is a very good idea.

while some driver's licenses can be easy to obtain for some countries, or even diff areas of the same counry, you have to jump thru hoops and it can be a pain. also, while teaching in any country you will prob travel to other countries. the intl license may help here also. moreover, traffic cops may be a lot less likely to deal with you if they know you have an intl license vs one of their own.

my two cents is that an intl license should be on your "to do" list before leaving home. want a local license later after you have had some experience in the country? great.