Korean Job Discussion Forums

[andrew]

.....

[AmericanGooner]

Very interesting responses. I have a different problem. I am black and live in America. The problem is I have a Jamaican passport. My parents brought me to America when I was a baby. I have a BS in Education and can speak 'standard American english', but my recruiter is having problems finding me a job. He almost got me a position in Osan City, but I think it fell through because of my passport. It will take me about a year to get an American passport (long story why I don't have it ; ).

I have lived in other parts of Asia before (Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong) so I'm used to being black and 'American' and can tell you the word for westerner or black in about half a dozen languages.

It seems like I'll just have to wait about a year or so how ever long it takes nowadays to get my American passport.

If or when I do make it to Korea to teach, I would prefer a fairly large city (million or more). Its hard enough being white and out in the country, I can just imagine being black out in the countryside : (

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

One more note - as some people mentioned above, desperate Nigerians and boorish, drunken and immature GIs have not created the best reputation for Black people over here. You might have better luck making a good reputation somewhere where there is little contact with Blacks.

I was talking to a young Korean woman (teacher who's had a bit of contact with foreigners) at my gym who told me she didn't like Blacks. 'Why not?'
'In Hongdae some black man saying rude thing to me'.
'They were probably American soldiers. Ameircan soldiers, black and white, usually act like assholes when they go out drinking'.
'Oh, I really don't like Black man'.
'I lived in America for a while and most black people from America are very nice'.
'Really? I don't like Black man'.

First impressions are very hard to shake here.

[crazylemongirl]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[AmericanGooner]

I've heard that as well (about the passport thing) but my recruiter seems to think its possible. I think it may not be an E2 visa but I'm not 100% sure of that. I've heard conflicting reports.

Unfortunately (in most cases) I get mistaken for military when I traveled around Europe because there aren't a lot of non military, young black americans (I consider myself american culturally since its all I know) in Asia.

Anyway, thanks for your advice. I may just have to wait till my passport is ready. I may just contact a few other recruiters and see what the response is.

[Alyallen]

Well....I'm black (on a side note, I think being in Korea made that fact more important than it ever was before). My experience is like a pendulum. Some days everything is fun and other days...sigh...my kids will say the most bizarre stuff to me. I've been called a black sheep (because of my hair), a black devil, asked if my blood was black, asked if I could be Miss Africa (Does such a title exist???) and tons of other silly crap. Thick skin and a sense of humor is the key....if not for that, perhaps I would have hung myself by now.

Also my coworkers are great and are the first to set students straight about me. I think support is very helpful in developing a good relationship with students especially young kids (nothing more distressing then when children cringe away from you from fear). If the Korean teachers don't act like you're a freak, it gives a good impression to the students I think. Once they see that, they can decide if they like you or not based on what you do and not on what you look like.

Anyways....I'm getting out of the hogwon game and going to a public school. So who knows what is waiting for me on the other side

[Gord]

[mindmetoo]

[mindmetoo]

Now that I think about it, maybe Derrek only gets his muse when he's writing as a gay black Canadian. That would not come as a surprise to many. It's like Wally Lamb finding his voice writing as a fat chick.

[ajuma]

We've had a few black students at my uni and some of the things they've had to contend with:

People rubbing their skin to see if the black comes off, or to see if their skin feels the same.

People wanting to touch their hair to see what it feels like.

Asking questions about where they're from (Are you from Africa?), and other personal questions.

Of course, that being said, all of us "whities" here get similar questions about skin, hair, eyes, marital status, age, whatever!! Remember, you're not being "picked on" because you're black, but because YOU'RE NOT KOREAN!!!

[AmericanGooner]

I haven't been to Korea but I've worked or visited several other Asian countries. I think one has to differentiate between genuine curiosity and prejudice/racism.

I may not be able to tell all the time but it helps if you take the time to understand the culture and people where you are. Its THEIR country and THEIR culture. We're visitors and the first onus is on us to understand them.

I've known Asian girls that love hip hop, want to marry Will Smith but have met few if any black americans and do the 'rub on skin or hair' thing. They're curious. I've also learned the derogatory phrase for blacks in half a dozen asian languages and have it said by people who think I wouldn't understand for no reason other than my being where they happen to be. That is different.

[ajuma]

AmericanGooner makes a good point about the difference between being racist and being curious. Most kids (and some adults) ARE curious about differences. It doesn't mean that they don't like you because you are different, but they want to know WHY and HOW you're different. It doesn't matter what your difference IS...black skin, blue eyes, blond hair...they will be curious and want to know about the difference.

Most North Americans are taught "Don't stare, don't point, don't comment" on people who are different. From what I've seen, these standards don't apply here. It can be a little disconcerting at first, but you get used to it. When I first came to Korea in 1996, I was the first and only foreign teacher in a VERY small farming town. Even the city buses would slow down so people could get a look at me!!! Now THAT'S an experience!!

[Bulsajo]