Korean Job Discussion Forums

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

I'm currently weighing up the pros and cons of the Middle East and Korea.

One of the factors that I have to consider is my wife and what to do with her.

She's Thai and has never lived in a cold climate before. She has visited my family in the UK a few times but never at winter time.

So climate wise it may be a bit much for her.

The biggest worry for me is what would she do out there. Is she going to end up trapped in a studio or one bedroomed apartment unable to communicate with people properly or will she be ok?

What is the Thai community like out there? Is there one for her to be apart of?

Has anybody else taken their wife/husband out to Korea? How did they get on if they weren't working.

We have discussed her staying here and visiting a couple of times a year instead. Are there any visa restirctions on other Asians can she stay for a month at a time.

Cheers

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

Depends where you are going to be first of all. The Thai community has a heavy presence in Ansan, where a lot of factory workers are. If you can score a gig around there you will be close to a cultural support group and all the goodies you associate with the LOS, food and the like.

My missus is Indonesian and had never lived in a cold country either. There aren't many Indonesians where we live, however she dived into Korean language classes and her circle of friends tends to be both Korean and international. If you get to know your area well, the local government often has things on for the international community and it can be a good way to make friends.

That being said, things are tough here. Not sure where you are planning on in the ME, but if its Dubai it would be a damn sight easier getting into life there than here. Korea and Koreans can seem closed and distant at times. Attitudes can range from maddening to infuriating. Pick where you are going to go carefully, a year in the sticks could be hell. Anyhow, I hope this helps, all the best.

poet13 · Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:50 pm Post subject:

I would not take my asian wife to the middle east. I dont think she would be regarded as anything more than someones servant, and treated accordingly. My asian wife has spent about six months in korea. She loved it. The people in my town/city were overboard kind to her and my son.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

That's good to know.

I worked out in Korea 4 years ago and had to leave due to the usual BS from the boss ( retrospect I could have handled it better but what do you do when people are trying to steal your passport)

I lived in Manguri which isn't the most pleasant place to live. Sometimes somewhat hostile.

If there is a Thai populated area I will have a look for work around there.

Cheers

Q

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

For the majority most of the immigrant factory workers are from the Phillipines or Moracco. There are some Thais here but not too many. As was stated they are of factory class and depending on what class your wife is from might not find anyone to talk to. Most Koreans will ask if she is Phillipino. Bring some warm clothes and she will adjust. If you can survive the hot season in Thailand she can survive a few months of winter in Korea.

If she learns some Korean she would get along a lot better. I think that you would be better off in a larger city like Busan. In a small town, she would have nothing to do but sit in a closet sized apartment and stare at the TB for 7 hours.

Most of the other Asian communities are very friendly and she will make friends even if there aren't many other Thais.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

What about a visa for her?

How does that work?

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 2:56 am Post subject:

Wait until March or - better - April to bring her here.

Then she will have a good six to eight months before the cold, it getting progressively cooler.

Dumping her into Korea in January or February is just not wise.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Dumping me in Korea in January or Febuary is not wise either Very Happy

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

qwunk89 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

i believe she can also get a spousal visa - although that might be the same as the one mentioned above dependent/spousal visa . . . . not sure

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

Also the visa for Korea is free for Thai citizens. She will need to have an interview though and you will need a letter from your employer stating that she is welcome to come.

The paperwork for Korea is much easier than the middle east

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003