Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crazylemongirl]

The standard reply I get after saying I've been in Korea for almost four years is 'oh my goodness! how did you do it?' like I'm some prision sentence. Or they immediatly enquire if I have a Korean husband, because apparently no sane single women would spend this amount of time in Korea.

Despite my whining on daves, I do actually like Korea. But I wonder if perhaps the 2+ years crowd have some sort of different outlook on life from the short terms that allows to adjust.

Thoughts?

[Homer]

Good question CLG.

I think that when a person decides to stay here mid or long term their outlook changes. I mean you cannot live in a place a long time and not get invested in it right?

Also, experience living in place leads to a deeper understanding of things and to adaptation. Things get put in perspective too.

In my case, being married with a family life here changed a lot of things too. Over the long term, you gain a different perspective on the place you live in. Things that seemed outrageous to you in your first year are now seen as part of society here. This is normal and it would happen to an expat living abroad for a long time anywhere.

I look at my brother who has been living in Japan for a long time...he has adapted to his new home (because that is what a country becomes after a while) and sees things from a different angle than short termers. That is compeltely normal.

When you are here short term (1-2) years it makes very little sense to invest yourself locally. You are afterall a transient worker, nothing more and that is fine. It changes your outlook and your reactions to things.

[VanIslander]

I do it by being constantly amazed and appreciative of the differences I encounter here, with plenty of hearty laughs and head shaking, confounded at much and developed understanding about some, continually aware of my right and ability to pack up at the slightest moment and bail... a freedom yet to be exercised but fully acknowledged, as I explore this country, this culture and this part of the world. I am invested in the food, big time, though I eat porridge, cereal or eggs in the morning, and make steak or homemade stew or other Western dishes at least (and usually at most) twice a week.

Find me a good woman and I'd be fully satisfied. But I've gone 4 years this month in Korea and not a single romantic relationship, though several first and second dates with locals and expats wanting to kiss but I opting out. Too picky I am.

As for my career, writing takes a back seat these days (I was a pro journalist for years back in Canada and still want to write books) as I am these days so invested in teaching Korean kids in small classes at great hagwons, this being my second workplace and just as fine as my first in some ways, especially in giving me the freedom to do whatever i dam want in the classroom: I am king, and I rule!

My director's wife gave birth yesterday and if I was so lucky as to be happily married with a kid - with everything else as it is - I'd develop a belief in a god just to be able to give thanks.

My only issue is with arriving in this country as an early thirtysomething and in a heartbeat becoming a late thirtysomething contemplating his forties around a corner not so far off any more. Getting old doesn't bother me in the least, but doing so without some of my top goals accomplished is unforgivable. Korea took my life and fast forwarded it without advancing it, except with regards to travel and expat experiences.

[xingyiman]

I just look at the crap life I used to have never having any money or future then I look around me and appreciate everything I have now.

[twg]

I think about the fact that I can afford to pretty much do as I please here as opposed to back home where I'd be wondering how tasty ketchup soup would be if I added mustard.

[Hyeon Een]

I've not been here as long as you CLG. But.. I'm happy here. That is my best answer. I didn't come here deliberately for the long term, but right now I could see myself staying here indefinitely.

It's not because I don't have options back home, I do. I went to a good University and could enter all kinds of good University==>Career. Type programs at home. But I don't want to.

I like the dynamic feel of Asia (please distinguish this from tourist/business investment slogans involving "Dynamic Korea"). I think I'm happy here because right now I can't see myself being happier anywhere else.

I'll probably get married and settle down here. I have plans to seriously study the language (I know a fair bit but I'm terrible at studying alone). I don't have a wife or a potential one right now. But I no longer get freaked out when koreans ask me when I'm going to get married. My current answer is "before I'm 30". Hopefully I'll meet someone nice before then.

When I meet people who regard Korea as being a prison sentence I tend to lose interest in their company pretty quickly. I have a lot of friends here who honestly like the country and might settle here. When I meet someone new who hates the place I have little time for them. Most of the time they hate the country because they're surrounded by other people with a very temporary agenda and don't take the time to appreciate the country. I have a lot of time for open minded or even overly optimistic people though.

This place isn't heaven. Nowhere is unless you're rich. It has more positive points about it though than my home country in my opinion. And they let me live and work here. So I am happy for now. I could possibly see myself moving to China one day, but at the moment I'm happy here.

I like the freedom and standard of living I have here. I like the disposable income I have here. I like the attitude of the people here. I like the culture here. I think the 'group mentality' has a lot of benefits we often don't give credit for.

[Homer]

Hyeon Een,

That was a very interesting post. I can honestly say that I share your sentiments and approach to things.

[Hyeon Een]

[MissSeoul]

[lastat06513]

Having been away from Korea for about a year now and going on 6 months here in the U.S., I have grown to understand why I love Korea and appreciate what I had there so very much.

10 years is a very long time to have lived in one place.
I always thought of myself as a person who loves to travel and see new things, but I have found that Korea was truly a home for me.
I know I write many things that seem negative in regards to Korea, Koreans and parts of their society.
But I always thought that in order to truly love something, a person must find its faults and try to understand and accept them, kinda' like a relationship- the more a person finds out about the other one, they have the choice to either leave the relationship or to think more about the good times than the bad and continue on and hope something better can come out of it- sometimes it is not always possible.......

To me, Korea is not just a place that will be just a memory, it is a place I want to call home and I know that I can always do better there than in any other place (even the U.S.)- My point is, any place outside Korea is going to be only a visit.

I love Korea and I hope to spend the rest of my life there...

And I think this is a good time to say that this is my last post on Dave's

I think it is time to go totally anonymous.
I will make myself scarce as many people have suggested since I am being accuse of giving bad advice just as doing privates and circumventing immigrations to stay in Korea.
I don't personally condone them, but I was told not to advertise them.
But you know what, I don't care!
ESL is not an "elite" job, it is a job even a monkey can do (in fact, I think a monkey can teach better than some of the teachers I have met).
And by illustrating that fact, I have earned the scorn of many on this board.

To those, you win and in my politest way- F^>K You!
To my fond friends and acquaintances, take care
To those coming to Korea, welcome and enjoy your stay and try to think of the good things rather than the bad stuff

Take care everyone.....bye

[Ya-ta Boy]

Except for a stretch of 9 months and another of 8 months, I've lived here since '94. I think the key for me has been to think of it as an adventure and focus on the cool experiences and people I've run into along the way. Admittedly, most days are just routine days with nothing exceptional about them, like they would be anywhere. But special things come along that just would not have happened to me if I had stayed in my old job at home where I'd already taught 17 years in the same classroom.

In my time in Korea I had two terrific jobs (8 years) that gave me a lot of satisfaction. That was also a key to my staying so long.

I've recently decided that Korea doesn't hold enough promise of more adventure for me and will be moving on at the end of the semester. That is not meant as a criticism of Korea. It's just that I'm ready for something new.

[crazylemongirl]

No I don't need a partner to make me happy, nor is it a case that I''m a loser back home.

The simple reason for staying here for me was that I like my life here. I've met a bunch of interesting people and I got to learn a different language. There's always something weird just around the corner to make you go 'hey that's weird.' I am really interested in contemporary Korean history and like learning the language. It's also close by to some really interesting countries.

Most of my peers with similar qualifications are all doing well for themselves 'back home' but when I finished university I wasn't really ready to rush head-long into a career. So I came to Korea to take some time out and the place really grew on me.

I am leaving early next year, as it's time for a new challenge.

[europe2seoul]

Seems to me that for some of you all its good, yet a good relationships with a woman are lacking and that seems to be the missing part. I can agree with that as well. Job, house, salary, etc...its all good but once taken care of, it means nothing if you are by yourself alone.

Now if only Korean women would understand we are OK people...

[thursdays child]

Approaching the 4 year mark (on and off) and I sometimes I feel I should be disappointed with myself for staying so long. But I don't feel it at all. I think there are so many ... I'm hesitant to say 'hardships' to be overcome that once you have overcome them if feels a waste to move on and encounter a new hardship.

I too are off in March, but I know I will be back in a few years probably only for a visit. But who knows.

Whenever I do go 'home' I experience culture shock and always feel more secure when i touch back down into Korea.

[periwinkle]