Korean Job Discussion Forums

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I work in Incheon at a public school. I've gotten to know all of the teachers in my area. We've had several new teachers in our area. One of them I met a few times, he was really nice and seemed to be getting alone quite well.

So I went to one of the school camps this morning and got told he went home. Just up and left. It's so weird because you think you know someone and they seem just fine, but then it turns out they were unhappy being here. I think he was here for about four weeks or so.

Panic · Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Location: Busan

There is no doubt Korea can sometimes get you down. Also I would say that summer is the hardest season.

What I found sad about your story is that the person didn't let you know they were unhappy and thinking of moving on.

Panic

stumptown · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:55 am Post subject: Re: *POOF*: A disappearing act

RobinH · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:17 pm Post subject:

Some people just can't hack it.

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Sody · Joined: 14 May 2006

C'mon Robin, let's be fair. It's not always easy to be here in Korea.

Does the Incheon program for ESL teachers have regular meetings like the Gepik program? Do the teachers meet regularly to discuss their jobs and their lives in Korea? Just curious because I know when I worked in Japan it was a huge help just to meet up once a month and let everyone know how things were going. I'm not even talking about meeting up with friends, I'm talking about discussing the job with other teachers and getting help if needed. They would retain more teachers if they only implemented a system like this for us.

Sody

bosintang · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:19 pm Post subject:

SeniorEnglish · Joined: 18 Jun 2006

That's nothin. At my old school, there were 2 Kiwi girls that up and left in the middle of the night. It was the week before intensive and the school was even looking for 2 additional teachers. There was one guy that gave hos notice, so the owner gave him a letter of release, He changed to a student visa with a month of work left. He sent a text message the day after he was paid saying he wouldn't come again. After taking on many of his classes and all my breaks gone, it pisses me off whenever I see him around the departs.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I've known two guys who left in less than a month. Seems to me they didn't give it much of a chance. Even if the job sucked, they might have tried another? I think they figured out fast that the work/cullture was not for them.

RobinH · Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:09 am Post subject:

Billy Pilgrim · Joined: 08 Sep 2004

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

bhog · Joined: 22 Mar 2006

Maybe I'm just nervous because I'm on the way soon, but what is the big turn-off about the place. Reading threads like these makes me wish I had a few more weeks to think about coming over.
What is the hardest part? Is it the job, people, or just day to day living in a new environment?

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I can't speak for others, but for me it was getting use to the way things are done here. In general, Koreans are disorganized and leave everything until the last minute. My style is to be prepared and organized especially when a big event is coming up.

Anytime you have people from diffrent cultures, there are communication issues or misunderstandings. From my standpoint, those have become much less of an issue.

The other (minor) issue is that I don't eat alot of Korean food. I really dislike seafood. I have found ways around it though and I have found some Korean food I like. Now a days I cook at home most of the time anyway.