|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
mediano tzu
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Location: The 'rea
|
 Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:06 pm Post subject: Reasons (not) to go to Korea? |
 |
|
I'm a first time poster, but I've been seriously considering the move to Korea, probably Seoul, to teach English. Reasons? I have a friend teaching there who loves it, and says that I could save about $1,000 a month. This is good, because I have some debts to pay off. Also, I'd like the experience to put on my resume, since I'm hoping to eventually go back to graduate school and earn an MFA or MA at least, and teaching jobs here (even or especially English) are hard to come by. Always wanted to travel to Asia as well, although I will be the first to admit that I know little about Korean culture. Most of my knowlege comes from movies and pop culture.
So I'm seeking valuable English teaching experience, good pay, and the ever-vague "something new." But reading posts and comments on this site, there seems to be something of a negative concensus on Korea. Is this simply because the country is unpleasant, the jobs are unpleasant, or is it a combination of the two? Is there anyone here who has actually enjoyed their experience? If so, I would like to hear about that, because honestly, I'm pretty much set on coming. I just want to know more specifically where the origin of the idea of Korea as a "snake pit" (as it was put on the international forum) stems from. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've been to over 30 countries and Korea is by far the most ridiculous place on earth.
So plenty of westerners like me fit right in. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mediano tzu
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Location: The 'rea
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
I've been to over 30 countries and Korea is by far the most ridiculous place on earth.
So plenty of westerners like me fit right in. |
Ridiculous like Steve Martin in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," or ridiculous like Steve Martin in "Bringing Down The House?"
If that analogy isn't clear, I'm wondering if that's a good or a bad thing. Care to elaborate? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
heydelores
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| This is my second contract here in Korea, and I've had both a good and bad experiences. Do your homework really well when choosing a school. That can make all the difference. If you're in a decent working environment, the rest can be what you make of it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| mediano tzu wrote: |
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
I've been to over 30 countries and Korea is by far the most ridiculous place on earth.
So plenty of westerners like me fit right in. |
Ridiculous like Steve Martin in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," or ridiculous like Steve Martin in "Bringing Down The House?"
If that analogy isn't clear, I'm wondering if that's a good or a bad thing. Care to elaborate? |
Gee, sorry - I haven't seen the latter. It can definitely be ridiculous in the 'planes, trains, and automobiles' sense. You could do the same film with two adjoshis and it would look pretty plausible. Just think of the most boorish behaviour you've ever seen anywhere. Now multiply that by 100. Now picture that it's going on everywhere and no one's taking any note of it whatsoever: 5- and 6-year olds are running around screaming and hitting each other, 30 middle school boys are packed into a cyber cafe all playing starcraft all afternoon, swearing their heads off, two high school girls have each other in headlocks and are play-fighting in the middle of a pedestrian mall getting in everyone's way, three uni guys are hanging out in pink T-shirts looking cool and pass two traffic policemen walking down the street holding hands, two middle-age women are cackling at the top of their lungs over the quality of tiny eels, every man is spitting every 30 seconds, etc., etc., and nobody thinks anything of it. Ridiculous in that sort of way. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jaganath69
Joined: 17 Jul 2003
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Been here three years and am still enjoying it. Have travelled on average 3 times a year and still saved money. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dev
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| I've been to over 30 countries and Korea is by far the most ridiculous place on earth. . |
Well said. If you come here, be prepared to "go with the flow". Everything including your teaching schedule can change on a dime's notice. Your circle of friends will change too. People who you think are your friends will drop you for no apparent reason. No problem because you'll make 5 new friends the next day. Koreans will do rude things (like butt in line or hit you with their backpacks) and then be totally puzzled with your angry response. Not much makes sense in this country by Western standards, but we're all friends at the end of the day. We top off a day of madness downing shots of Soju (Korean alcohol).
Westerners usually either love or hate living here. What else can I tell ya?  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Novernae
Joined: 02 Mar 2005
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The reason you see so many more negative comments on message boards is that, generally, people who are enjoying themselves don't come here to complain and rant. Lots of people have wonderful experiences here. A lot of things are ridiculous by our standards, but taken in stride, that can add to your experience (and give you lots of funny stories for home). Korea is the most ridiculous place I've visited, too, in the PT&A type of way (haven't seen the second). I'm in my second contract here and am enjoying myself. I won't say I love it; I would never consider a permanent move here(it doesn't fit with my personality), but it is definitely not an unpleasant experience for the short term. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mediano tzu
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Location: The 'rea
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Dev wrote: |
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| I've been to over 30 countries and Korea is by far the most ridiculous place on earth. . |
Well said. If you come here, be prepared to "go with the flow". Everything including your teaching schedule can change on a dime's notice. Your circle of friends will change too. People who you think are your friends will drop you for no apparent reason. No problem because you'll make 5 new friends the next day. Koreans will do rude things (like butt in line or hit you with their backpacks) and then be totally puzzled with your angry response. Not much makes sense in this country by Western standards, but we're all friends at the end of the day. We top off a day of madness downing shots of Soju (Korean alcohol).
Westerners usually either love or hate living here. What else can I tell ya? |
I've heard about the butting in line thing. What explanation can there be for such a thing? Why even form lines if nobody's going to honor their ordered procedure?
To be honest, I'm not worried about rudeness so much. Or strangeness. I like strangeness. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dev
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| One thing I have never been able to figure out here is whether Koreans like Westerners. When interacting directly, they're very warm and generous. On the other hand, in public, they can get all weird and standoffish staring and sometimes snickering at Westerners. I just don't understand Koreans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dev
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| mediano tzu wrote: |
[
Why even form lines if nobody's going to honor their ordered procedure?
. |
The problem is that a lot of Koreans don't recognize lines particularly in convenience stores. They just find an empty space in front of the counter and then shout their order to the sales person (while ignoring you). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mediano tzu
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Location: The 'rea
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Novernae wrote: |
| The reason you see so many more negative comments on message boards is that, generally, people who are enjoying themselves don't come here to complain and rant. Lots of people have wonderful experiences here. A lot of things are ridiculous by our standards, but taken in stride, that can add to your experience (and give you lots of funny stories for home). Korea is the most ridiculous place I've visited, too, in the PT&A type of way (haven't seen the second). I'm in my second contract here and am enjoying myself. I won't say I love it; I would never consider a permanent move here(it doesn't fit with my personality), but it is definitely not an unpleasant experience for the short term. |
It's nice to read some positive comments. My friend is trying to get me a job at her school, which would be nice because she says it's a good working environment. But aside from first-hand knowledge of a situation, and a good contract (can contracts be negotiated?), how do you get an idea of which jobs will be more comfortable situations than other?
By the way, for those who have not seen "Bringing Down The House," I don't want to be the person responsible for your curiousity and ultimate decision to watch it. I would never wish that on anyone. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Dev wrote: |
| mediano tzu wrote: |
[
Why even form lines if nobody's going to honor their ordered procedure?
. |
The problem is that a lot of Koreans don't recognize lines particularly in convenience stores. They just find an empty space in front of the counter and then shout their order to the sales person (while ignoring you). |
The line issue is so easily explained I don't know why I am. Just like South American countries, China or any other poor country, if you didn't force your way onto the bus, you probably wouldn't get on and there would not be another one. Same for food. If you didn't get the food by being first there, and waited, there is a good chance you would go hungry that day. Etc etc etc...
Now, this doesn't excuse it, but easily explains why Korea, a country which has just recently grown out of poverty does this. It will fade away, and already is.
For Dev, when do you go home? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
doggyji
Joined: 21 Feb 2006
Location: Toronto - Hamilton - Vineland - St. Catherines
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Dev wrote: |
| One thing I have never been able to figure out here is whether Koreans like Westerners. When interacting directly, they're very warm and generous. On the other hand, in public, they can get all weird and standoffish staring and sometimes snickering at Westerners. I just don't understand Koreans. |
I guess it's because usually staring itself looks evil no matter what they think inside(maybe they think nothing). They never smile while staring, do they? Probably that's the thing. Among Korean strangers, they rarely smile when they 'accidentally' make eye contacts. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Novernae wrote: |
| The reason you see so many more negative comments on message boards is that, generally, people who are enjoying themselves don't come here to complain and rant. |
Or they actually do have some negative feedbacks to make but are just holding it in. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
