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aristotle84
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
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 Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:55 pm Post subject: Korean Hiring Process is Racist |
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Hello all, I don't know if anyone else has come across this disconcerting problem, but I am Korean-American and currently interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, specifically Seoul. Every recruiter I have come across has told me that since I am Korean-American, the hagwons in Seoul do NOT provide free housing. They said if I had blonde hair and blue eyes (otherwise known as being WHITE) I would indeed receive free housing. This is absolutely strange, and racist.
Have any other Korean-Americans come across this same problem? However, they did say that if I were to take a position outside of Seoul in another part of Korea, then housing would not be a problem. It's not just one recruiter, but several who have given me the same response. I wonder if there are any black teachers working over in Korea. Anyhow, this is truly sad for them to discriminate against their own people. |
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Khyron
Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Korean Hiring Process is Racist |
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| aristotle84 wrote: |
Hello all, I don't know if anyone else has come across this disconcerting problem, but I am Korean-American and currently interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, specifically Seoul. Every recruiter I have come across has told me that since I am Korean-American, the hagwons in Seoul do NOT provide free housing. They said if I had blonde hair and blue eyes (otherwise known as being WHITE) I would indeed receive free housing. This is absolutely strange, and racist.
Have any other Korean-Americans come across this same problem? However, they did say that if I were to take a position outside of Seoul in another part of Korea, then housing would not be a problem. It's not just one recruiter, but several who have given me the same response. I wonder if there are any black teachers working over in Korea. Anyhow, this is truly sad for them to discriminate against their own people. |
Yes, it is sad. I had a few gyopo friends when I lived in Korea that told me about this as well. Are you being offered less money as well?
The reason is not with the employers so much, but with the parents. They can't get it through their sheltered and, sometimes unknowingly, racists heads that language ability has nothing to do with looks. Employers are reluctant to hire non-Asians (non-whites actually, but expecially Asians) because they are afraid that when the parents see that a pretty blonde haired, blue eyes lad or lass isn't the one teaching theirs kids, they will pull their kids out of their school and find a new one.
The country of your ancestors is indeed a racist place.
Please do not settle for less than what everyone else is getting though. You should be able to find the same deal in Seoul if you keep looking, but it will take longer.
There is a plus side though... If you want to teach private lessons (which are illegal for foreigners in most cases; depending on visa status), you can get away with it easier. Since you're technically Korean (by heritage), there will be more of a blind eye here. Still be careful though. |
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melvaughn
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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| I have an African American friend who wanted to teach in my small conservative city four hours outside of Seoul. My supervisor just gasped, threw down her picture and refused to talk to me for the rest of the day. I have yet to see a black in this city so yes, I'd day they are pretty rascist. |
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aristotle84
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Yea, thanks for the info, I'm glad I'm not the only one that is seeing this happening. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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I know gyopos who've got free housing close to Seoul, so it's not like it's some sort of policy - you just had bad luck in this case.
And yes, Korea is racist. There will be advantages and disadvantages to the way you look. |
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Smee
Joined: 24 Dec 2004
Location: Jeollanam-do
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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South Korea is racist in many respects.
On job boards you'll see plenty of jobs that only want Kyopos. And, though no advertised, you'll find lots of jobs that want nothing to do with you.
You'll meet people curious about you and happy to know that you're coming to "rediscover your Korean roots" (regardless of how inappropriate/incorrect that is.) And, you'll meet plenty of people disappointed that you don't speak Korean better. Sometimes Koreans will treat you like a foreigner. And sometimes foreigners will treat you like a Korean. |
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Gwangjuboy
Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Location: England
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Korean Hiring Process is Racist |
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| aristotle84 wrote: |
Hello all, I don't know if anyone else has come across this disconcerting problem, but I am Korean-American and currently interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, specifically Seoul. Every recruiter I have come across has told me that since I am Korean-American, the hagwons in Seoul do NOT provide free housing. They said if I had blonde hair and blue eyes (otherwise known as being WHITE) I would indeed receive free housing. This is absolutely strange, and racist.
Have any other Korean-Americans come across this same problem? However, they did say that if I were to take a position outside of Seoul in another part of Korea, then housing would not be a problem. It's not just one recruiter, but several who have given me the same response. I wonder if there are any black teachers working over in Korea. Anyhow, this is truly sad for them to discriminate against their own people. |
Can you speak Korean? |
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John Henry
Joined: 24 Sep 2004
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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Yes. Korea is a very racist place. Sometimes I think they don't understand how racist they are because they are such a sheltered country. I feel embarassed for them.
It completely discredits any sort of "Hub of Asia" claim they could make. As long as Koreans think it's OK teach their children that black people are "dirty", they will never be a developed nation. |
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aristotle84
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: Korean Hiring Process is Racist |
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| Gwangjuboy wrote: |
| aristotle84 wrote: |
Hello all, I don't know if anyone else has come across this disconcerting problem, but I am Korean-American and currently interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, specifically Seoul. Every recruiter I have come across has told me that since I am Korean-American, the hagwons in Seoul do NOT provide free housing. They said if I had blonde hair and blue eyes (otherwise known as being WHITE) I would indeed receive free housing. This is absolutely strange, and racist.
Have any other Korean-Americans come across this same problem? However, they did say that if I were to take a position outside of Seoul in another part of Korea, then housing would not be a problem. It's not just one recruiter, but several who have given me the same response. I wonder if there are any black teachers working over in Korea. Anyhow, this is truly sad for them to discriminate against their own people. |
Can you speak Korean? |
Yes I can speak some Korean, although not on par with the natives. |
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