Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mattyd]

Hi,

I am currently doing my TEFL course in the UK and was planning to come over to South Korea in February to teach for a year. I have just left uni and it would be my first time teaching, I am mainly doing it because I am not ready to get a job back home and want to experience another culture. I have been reading some of the posts on this website and have been slightly put off about South Korea, many of you don't seem to rate it highly. I also have the opportunity to teach in Thailand for the year instead and am now wondering whether I would be better going there.

I realise that every foreign country is difficult, different and a challenge to live in, but many people really sound as though they aren't having a good time. Obviously the money is better in South Korea, but that isn't my main concern - I am more interested in the experience. So where should I go, South Korea or Thailand???

Your advice would be really helpful. Thanks.

[Hapkido-In]

Your question is far to general to offer and useful advice. No idea about your hobbies, preferences, ect.

I suggest buying the Lonely Planet books for the countries you are considering to visit, reading them, and based on what you see in there, deciding where you'd want to live.

[baldrick]

You wanna save money? Korea.
All other roads lead to Thailand.
PM me if you've got any Q's.

[Zulu]

Please trust me on this one. Between Korea and Thailand Yes, the money is certainly going to be better in Korea. No contest. I'll also say Korea is quite safe and has reasonably priced domestic transportation and some people here can be quite nice.

But please also trust me on this. Having worked and lived in both countries, if you really want a positive Asian experience just get your ass to Thailand. Most expats here would hop the first flight out if the Thais could offer a similar salary. Where do most Korean expats escape to on their Asian vacation? Thailand. Vietnam. Philippines.

Thailand is beautiful man, it's on par with Europe as a travel destination but of course it's quite different culturally. Besides the work and pay situation it's simply on a different level from industrialized Korea. The Thais have an extremely rich culture, kick-ass delicious, healthy and cheap local street food along with lots of well prepared foreign foods (Nigerian, English breakfasts, Indian, you name it), excellent public health and hospitals, wonderful local fruit, way better shoppping and variety than here, it's close to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, etc., has some of the most beautiful temples in the world, the skytrain, river taxis, elephants, monkeys, great bookstores, some of the best beaches in the world, good smelling and bustling street markets, a laid-back very friendly population and an acceptance of other cultures, peoples and products and beautiful locally produced products as well. It's also a photographer's paradise. No offeense to anyone but the overall vibe you'll get in Thailand just trounces that of Korea.

That said, there are a few things to remember in Thailand - never, ever mock the King or Buddha in public, and never, eer, ever try to bring illegal drugs in or out. Thai jails are hell. Oh, and watch out - there are a few tourist scams to get you to buy jewelry and so on, and some of the nice local ladies aren't exactly, well...ladies . Just use your common sense and you'll be fine. If you can respect those few rules and maybe learn a few basic phrases and not shout or act like an arrogant tourist they'll treat you like a brother.

Obviously, no matter which country you choose to work in, research the conditions and try to contact an expat employee form your prospective place of employment. For more info and links to more detailed Thailand info I've been told this site is good: http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/teaching.html Good luck and PM me if you have any questions.

[Guri Guy]

Thailand is excellent but it has it's problems too. For example, Bangkok is even more polluted than Seoul if you can believe it. The southern part of Thailand is somewhat dangerous as well as the Thais are fighting with Muslims there. As mentioned as well, the money just isn't there.
Vietnam offers a much better package money wise than Thailand. You could look into there as well. Good luck.

[Zulu]

[VanIslander]

Easy decision: six months here, six months there. PLENTY of jobs at both places.

Feb-July Korea. Enjoy the long nice spring. March through May is the best time of year, especially on the southernmost area of the peninsula. Get three weeks of rain at end of June to prepare you for the Thai Monsoons. Same with heat and humidity and spicy food, ease into it slowly.
(I recommend: Jeju or Busan or Gyeongsangnam province. But avoid Masan, Daegu, Pohang.)

Korean employers will pay for your airline ticket to Korea, and you can buy a ticket to Thailand with the spare change from your first month's pay. And flights back to the UK from Thailand are supercheap, to anywhere from Bangkok is cheap.

Aug-Jan Thailand. Full blast rain, heat, humidity, spicy food. Spend the end of your year at the beach resorts, the driest part of the year, blue skies and "only" 30 C.
(I recommend you avoid Bangkok and check out the by-far most visited ESL site for Thailand: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/index.php )

Good luck whatever.

[Zulu]

Not a bad idea but if money really doesn't matter I'd suggest you maybe give Korea a miss. No, it's not Baghdad or the Sudan but neither is there much besides a half-decent wage to justify a trip here. Or at least go to Thailand first before you get stuck in the comparatively higher (to Thailand) pay of Korea. Beware - many have entered the black hole and then find they want to, but won't escape, all the while dreaming of nicer places like Thailand but wary of giving up the money. I'm very happily outta here soon just in case you're wondering. Another option might be to work in Taiwan or Hong Kong for 6 months - the pay is on par with Korea and they're much closer to Thailand and Vietnam.

[Knight Errant]

ZULU and GURI GUY,

Thanks for that. You guys are right on the money.

[drumpounder]

[Guri Guy]

Arrrghh. Stop talking about Laos. I am getting jealous. I'd love to work there. Any good internet sites about that possibility? What is the best way to go about it?

[oldfatfarang]

Today's quiz. Which country were these experiences in: Korea or Thailand?

(1)
My European girlfriend and I were standing on the footpath waiting for a bus. I saw a policeman on a bus commanding the bus driver to stop. Said policeman then rushed out of bus and came running over to my girlfriend and I. Jaded traveller that I am, I thought he was coming to 'shake us down' ("it's my birthday, please give me a present etc"). But no, the policeman just gave us both a big hug and re-boarded the bus. No words were exchanged. We were speechless.
Hint, which country emphasises (nam jai).

(2) I was lost in the subway. A local man paid for my subway ticket, took me by the hand, and travelled with me to my destination. He then walked outside the station and showed me which direction to walk in. Another similar experience with a really spunky local girl. Both situations required these locals to travel well away from their destinations.
Additional quiz: Would these expressions of generous spirit happen in our countries?

[Zulu]

Don't know the answer to 1 & 2 but for the bonus question, Sure, people back home help strangers plenty, too. My friends do, and so do I.

[seoulsucker]

[Zulu]

Hey man, you gotta love monkeys! (Actually they're proper little bastards and will bite your ass given the chance).