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tesseract
Joined: 26 May 2006
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 Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:36 pm Post subject: To go or not to go? |
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| I have been planning to teach in South Korea for quite a while now until North Korea had to go and &%$# up my plans. I am just interested in finding out how foreigners currently in South Korea feel now. Is anyone becoming increasingly uneasy or planning to leave soon? If things don't escalate, I think I will probably go ahead with my plan, which is to find a job and be in South Korea by March. Of course, my family is very upset about the idea and none of them want me to go. Since none of them are planning to pay my bills/buy me a house/ support me and pay for a Master's degree/ I think I might just ignore them. Of course I won't base my decision soley on opinions here (no offense), but I am interested in what other people think about the current situation. Thanks. |
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jaganath69
Joined: 17 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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| No-one here is panicking since a NK invasion would be a last act of desperation. The US and others have already said that military action is off the table. However, the chance of accidental escalation cannot be discounted, but is fairly remote. Still, it pleases me that many choose to stay away, I'm renegotiating for next year and wages are going up up up. |
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mediano tzu
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Location: The 'rea
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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| jaganath69 wrote: |
| No-one here is panicking since a NK invasion would be a last act of desperation. The US and others have already said that military action is off the table. However, the chance of accidental escalation cannot be discounted, but is fairly remote. Still, it pleases me that many choose to stay away, I'm renegotiating for next year and wages are going up up up. |
For the OP: As one prospective "waygook" (whatever that means) to another, I am personally not at all worried about North Korea. Maybe I'm nuts though. But as a wise man once told me, most of history is simply about taking out the garbage. Make of that what you will. I could see a possible problem stemming from an influx of N. Korean refugees if things get out of hand, but as I understand it, many have already fled to China and that's probably where most refugees will go. But you will not catch me saying things in earnest, like I actually know what I'm talking about. Nor will I make any overtly political statements. I'm just not that type.
For the rest of the board: Any chance that those of us looking to sign a contract in the next few months will capitalize on the fears of wayward Westerners?
Also, what is the protocol on renegotiating a contract for 6 months? I realize that standard contracts to begin with start at one year, but does anyone know if renegotiations can be for shorter periods? |
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potblackettle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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"You are now a pioneer in the emerging field of gonzo TESOL."
This is the best sig I've read on these boards!
God Bless Hunter S! |
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jaganath69
Joined: 17 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| mediano tzu wrote: |
| jaganath69 wrote: |
| No-one here is panicking since a NK invasion would be a last act of desperation. The US and others have already said that military action is off the table. However, the chance of accidental escalation cannot be discounted, but is fairly remote. Still, it pleases me that many choose to stay away, I'm renegotiating for next year and wages are going up up up. |
For the OP: As one prospective "waygook" (whatever that means) to another, I am personally not at all worried about North Korea. Maybe I'm nuts though. But as a wise man once told me, most of history is simply about taking out the garbage. Make of that what you will. I could see a possible problem stemming from an influx of N. Korean refugees if things get out of hand, but as I understand it, many have already fled to China and that's probably where most refugees will go. But you will not catch me saying things in earnest, like I actually know what I'm talking about. Nor will I make any overtly political statements. I'm just not that type.
For the rest of the board: Any chance that those of us looking to sign a contract in the next few months will capitalize on the fears of wayward Westerners?
Also, what is the protocol on renegotiating a contract for 6 months? I realize that standard contracts to begin with start at one year, but does anyone know if renegotiations can be for shorter periods? |
I dont see it so much as a matter of fear, but rather of supply and demand. For a whole host of reasons, the numbers coming to teach seem to have fallen since when I was first here, jobs are available everywhere and salaries in public schools seem to be on the rise. I'm going to show a whole bunch of contracts from those places to my private school when I redo my contract in a month or so. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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If you're such a worrier that this is seriously affecting your decision, you're probably too much of a wimp to handle Korea.
Why don't you find a really safe place from Nork missiles if you want to live in Asia, and teach at an international school on a US military base in Japan?  |
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Qinella
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| If you're such a worrier that this is seriously affecting your decision, you're probably too much of a wimp to handle Korea. |
You sure do presume a lot about people.
The NK situation is a legitimate concern, especially considering the way that the western media covers it. It's being blown up into much more than it probably is. For example, my mom heard on the news that the drill we experienced on Monday, which scared the bejeezuz out of Jinju, was being reported in the US as an actual call to arms do to a false alarm of a raid. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Qinella wrote: |
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| If you're such a worrier that this is seriously affecting your decision, you're probably too much of a wimp to handle Korea. |
You sure do presume a lot about people.
The NK situation is a legitimate concern, especially considering the way that the western media covers it. It's being blown up into much more than it probably is. For example, my mom heard on the news that the drill we experienced on Monday, which scared the bejeezuz out of Jinju, was being reported in the US as an actual call to arms do to a false alarm of a raid. |
Yes, I guess I do presume a lot about people - like presuming that North Americans who believe American media and think it paints an accurate picture are idiots. But then I was actually living in America from 2001-2003 and saw it happening first hand, so I think I have some justification in doing so. |
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The Hierophant
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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| mediano tzu wrote: |
For the OP: As one prospective "waygook" (whatever that means) to another |
'Waegug' (or 'Waegoog') (외국) literally means 'foreign'.
Waegug Nara: Foreign Country
Waegug Saram: Foreign person
Waegugin: Foreigner
Disclaimer: I've only been studying Korean for a few months. Still, many of the Westerners I've met in Korea misconstrue the Korean word 'gug' to mean something similar to the English derogatory 'gook' that was used alot during Vietnam. The word 외국 ends with a hard 'G' sound, not a hard 'K'. |
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Feloria
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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I felt the same way as the OP a few days ago; I am supposed to be flying out there in November. I feel better after reading some of the posts on here though- I know things are changing daily, but I definitely plan on coming out there unless I am told not to by my recruiter or the school itself. I am constantly checking my e-mail, and so far-it is still a go!!
Like one of the other poster's mentioned-maybe I am nuts cuz none of this stuff has me worried about my personal safety at all. I guess it's just my nature. |
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Seani
Joined: 05 Aug 2006
Location: Chuncheon
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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Relax.....
Lets face it.. by the time March rolls around the situation will be a whole lot clearer by then. One way or another.
I'm not worried about things as they are....as said..the Nth Koreans would be insane to do anything silly.. ( although of course they may BE insane)..When I start to see evidence of a US buildup.. then its time to start thinking of leaving..
Sean. |
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djsmnc
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Don't worry, the Titanic is safe, it's made of titanium! Completely indestructable! |
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Qinella
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| Qinella wrote: |
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| If you're such a worrier that this is seriously affecting your decision, you're probably too much of a wimp to handle Korea. |
You sure do presume a lot about people.
The NK situation is a legitimate concern, especially considering the way that the western media covers it. It's being blown up into much more than it probably is. For example, my mom heard on the news that the drill we experienced on Monday, which scared the bejeezuz out of Jinju, was being reported in the US as an actual call to arms do to a false alarm of a raid. |
Yes, I guess I do presume a lot about people - like presuming that North Americans who believe American media and think it paints an accurate picture are idiots. But then I was actually living in America from 2001-2003 and saw it happening first hand, so I think I have some justification in doing so. |
Oh okay, idiots now. Thought you said worrier.  |
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tesseract
Joined: 26 May 2006
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| Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Yu_Bum_Suk wrote:
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| If you're such a worrier that this is seriously affecting your decision, you're probably too much of a wimp to handle Korea. |
My original post said:
| Quote: |
| I am just interested in finding out how foreigners currently in South Korea feel now. Is anyone becoming increasingly uneasy or planning to leave soon? If things don't escalate, I think I will probably go ahead with my plan, which is to find a job and be in South Korea by March. |
Considering the fact that we're discussing nuclear weapons and the possibility of military action, not what color the blinds in my apartment will be, I don't think I sound unduly worried.
Yu-Bum-Suk wrote:
| Quote: |
| Yes, I guess I do presume a lot about people - like presuming that North Americans who believe American media and think it paints an accurate picture are idiots. But then I was actually living in America from 2001-2003 and saw it happening first hand, so I think I have some justification in doing so. |
Does the American media blow things out of proportion? Possibly. Are Americans more concerned about world events and take things more seriously since September 11th, 2001? Definitely. I'm not planning on building a bomb shelter and I think there is a good chance that the North will back down. But it would be stupid not to consider the current political situation of any country before moving there. That doesn't make me a worrier. It means I have common sense.
That's just my take on the situation. Of course, I've been an American for 29 years. You lived here from 2001-2003. I guess that makes you the expert.
I asked for informed opinions, not useless insults and bashing.  I would appreciate any useful information that anyone has to offer.  |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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Stop watching CNN.
Nothing is different here today than a month ago. |
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