Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mashimaro]

I want to dedicate the next few years of my life to studying a new language (interspersed with some work to pay the bills).

I like many things about korea, but many things annoy me (the often mentioned closed mindedness to anything non korean, lack of individualism etc)

I had an amazing time when was holidaying in Thailand, and I know living there will be very different to a holiday... but I loved the fun loving nature of the people and the spirituality of a predominantly buddhist culture.

I would love to be fluent in either korean or thai, I'm just not sure which one to concentrate on. Practically, it would be much cheaper to live in study in Thailand but Korean may be more useful from a business and future earnings sense.

I know only I can make this decision. I'd just like some open discussion with people with experience in either country and their thoughts on the languages of each.

Cheers

[Paji eh Wong]

I just spent two months in Thailand, and believe me, the rose tinted glasses come off in a hurry. I met a lot of lovely people, and I had a lot of fun, but it's got this nasty nasty dark side. The current political environment is particularly anit-foriegner right now, and they are changing the visa situation. Go take a look at www.ajarn.com for updates.

I don't want to rain on you parade. If you want to do it, go for it. It'll be an experience, but I noticed a lot of things that I didn't like about Korea in Thailand as well.

I liked Vietnam a lot.

PM me if you want to talk some more.
PS I love the young ones icon

[just because]

In the future i think you will find Korean will be a lot more helpful than Thai as they are going up slowly in the world here compared to Thailand.
In regards to any country....going for a holiday will always bring out mostly positive aspects while living in a country will bring out both positive and negative. It just depends on your set of values and how you deal with it.

A good case in point is Japan. Everyone on this board raves about japan because they go there for a short break, not mostly to live. i lived there off and on as well and there are many things i don't like about there as well. i came to Korea because I find it more enjoyable to LIVE here than japan based on my set of values.

[Dan]

getting ass drunk on the weekends?

haha, just kidding, i led a pretty decadent lifestyle in korea and it was hard to get off the crack.

[Mashimaro]

[Yaya]

[Homer]

Study Korea and eat Thai!

no wait

Eat Korean and study Thai!

[Mr. Pink]

Forget em both and goto China or Japan

[Mashimaro]

[posco's trumpet]

[Tiger Beer]

I agree with posco's trumpet.

It comes down to which do you enjoy speaking and which people you enjoy more.

I wouldn't think in terms of 'economic advantage'.. as either one would be employable in some way or another. Sure, Korea is better $$.. but if you prefer Thailand.. then it'll be more enjoyable speaking Thai and you'll find work there.

Why study a language for $ economic advantage and then stuck for the rest of your life speaking to them if you would prefer Thailand and Thai people.

I'd say go for Thai.

[Mashimaro]

Bump

For those who take their korean study seriously.. What benefits do you see yourself gaining? What jobs can you see yourself doing which utilise your korean skills? I'm not studying korean soley for work reasons, but I'd like to think I could find a good job if I was bilingual. What do you think?

[Dan]

[Mashimaro]

[Tiger Beer]

I'd say study what people and culture you are interested in. There would be nothing worse than devoting the rest of your life to learning the language of a culture you aren't interested and have little interest in talking/communicating/getting to know the people with.

Seems easier to go with Thailand than trying to choose the country with the best potential $ capability. Realistically, any language with millions and millions of speakers (regardless if its Thai, Korean, Chinese, etc.).. they will all need translaters.. and they'd all pay more or less the same in my opinion.

The U.S. government or any large company or anyone in need of a translator isn't going to pay big money if you speak Chinese or Korean and very little money if you speak Thai.. not going to happen. Don't worry about economic advantages tied in with which Asian language. They're all about the same for earnings capabilities. The only that might not be would be Tagalog and Philippines languages as they don't need translaters for that language. But any other predominant Asian language and you'd be fine.

Its far better to study a language in which you love communicating and practicing the language with the people as you're interested in them.. (then thinking this'll all pay off someday with $$). The money could just as well happen even if the country is viewed as 'poor' or 'economically not as powerful' as others or whatever else.