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Threequalseven
Joined: 08 May 2012
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 Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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| thisisausername wrote: |
I find certain aspects of this culture a bit depressing...
원장님, we've sorted through the resumes and narrowed it down to two potential candidates.
Alright let's hear about them.
The first is an American male. He completed his undergraduate studies at UC Berkley in Elementary Education and then went to Sanford University for a Masters in TOSEL. He's been working in Korea for for the past 5 years after having taught in an American Public school for 3 years. So, altogether he has 8 years of teaching experience. He also has highly complementary letters of recommendation from his previous employers, both in Korea and in the USA.
8 years of teaching experience? How old is he?
He's 33.
Let me see his photo. Hmm, he could stand to lose a few kilos don't you think? How much does he weigh?
He actually didn't put his weight on his resume.
Hmm, I see. And the other candidate?
The other is an American female from Texas. She has a BA in Psychology from Houston Community college. She's 23 years old.
Hmm, has she ever been abroad? Does she have any experience working with children?
Well, nothing on her resume seems to indicate that she has. However, here is her picture.
Hmm, she's a very beautiful girl. I love her blonde hair.
Yes I was having a hard time choosing which candidate was best for our academy. This is going to be a very difficult decision.
Hmm, well I think is this case we have to think of the children and what is best for their education. It seems clear to me that this girl from Houston will make the children feel very happy. This will increase the overall well being of our academy making it easier for the children to study. Its clear she is more suited for our academy.
Of course you are right 원장님. Excellent choice!
And then when it doesn't work out and the academy keeps losing students, 원장님 jumps from the roof of his apartment complex. |
Nice post. I actually LOL'd. Though, it doesn't take very long to understand that Korean hagwons are more concerned with marketing than education. I can't be certain to what extent, but my girlfriend's passport photo definitely didn't hurt our chances of landing the gig at our academy. Our director has even used her in nationwide marketing materials including the website and a full-page ad in one of the national newspapers.
As for EPIK, the luck of the draw thing is really annoying. I wish more schools hired directly. I don't even want to work in the same school as my partner if possible, but it would be nice if there was any assurance that we wouldn't get placed at two opposite ends of the city or province. I guess unless there's a holy ring on that finger, it's too much of a hassle for them to make such an effort. |
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Yaya
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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| cam83 wrote: |
| Yaya wrote: |
| cam83 wrote: |
| robbie_davies wrote: |
| tob55 wrote: |
| robbie_davies wrote: |
| Yaya wrote: |
| Seems from reading these and other posts that the U.K. has a racism problem considerably worse than in the U.S. or Canada. |
With the rise of the BNP and UKIP and the general anti-immigrant and foreigner rhetoric that is becoming de-riguer amongst the rabble - I wouldn't bring my wife and mixed race kids to live in the UK. That is if I could afford the 56000 pounds bond needed for her to get the spousal visa to settle. |
That is ridiculous! I come from the USA and I feel the same regarding bringing my wife and daughter. The governments are beginning to profit from those who legitimately could bring their families into their home country, while turning a blind eye at the loads of illegals entering their borders. I would say more, but the bottom line is that for me and my family, staying here in Korea is a better option, and even going to a different country might also be better than going back to the USA. |
They are just trying to placate increasing anti-immigrant tension in the UK - it only came in this year. They have made it pretty tough for us if we want to go back. If we did, we could go through the back door and settle in Germany which wouldn't cost us anything via an EU spousal visa and the 'Surinder Singh' route. It is all daft really. |
No way - the US is 100x worse, seriously I've seen it first hand and if it wasn't for the fact that I worked in fashion and have British accent, I'm sure I would have experienced it from the amount of times I was pulled over in Manhattan... especially if you're a person of colour.... stop and search anyone?
I have to say that as a black guy, I don't find England any more racist than the US or Korea... I would argue less so, simply because the punishments are so severe, whether it be in the workplace or socially, people really do think twice about it. 50% of London is made up of non-British people, my hometown (Nottingham) is one of the fastest growing student cities in Europe.
Now, if you're an immigrant, then I agree there is a lot more racism towards them but often from a view of the way the economy is going i.e "these foreigners taking our jobs" etc. And I agree that the system in general is becoming ridiculous (as if it wasn't already bad enough). A few bad incidents doesn't justify the view of the UK being "racist". I don't know of another city with as much diversity as London (NYC isn't for sure... though not bad-based on having lived there for 2yrs).
My g/f is off to London on Monday and when we move there next summer she'll prob love it in my hometown as she'll be a student. I come from a fairly poor family but we get by and my working in London, NYC and Seoul has increased my financial situation that I can afford to help family members with school/bills etc.
I say if you really want to go back to the UK, maybe try setting up in a different city... or if possible do a one year teaching qualification (MA in TESOL or P.G.C.E) if you can get student funding that way, you can give your gf/wife time to escape Korea and exlore (or study English), then when you return, you can look at a higher paying job...
...at least that's my plan for my PhD.
Ps, I do agree with you guys on many points though, just saying that it's not all doom and gloom. |
I ain't black but I have to disagree that the U.S. is 100 times worse vis-a-vis racism than the U.K. A black man can be president as Obama proved whereas it seems the U.K. has few non-whites in high government posts. |
OK, well I'm black and have lived in the London and New York. If you have experienced the racism first or even 2nd hand, please do tell. I am just basing it on my experience of the two. |
Well, I'm Korean American and I thought racism in the U.S. had subsided since the early 1990s but after hearing Jeremy Lin's story, it hasn't.
I will say, however, that based on an objective analysis of the two countries, the U.S. has FAR more opportunities for advancement for minorities. Nobody talks about the British dream anyway. |
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robbie_davies
Joined: 16 Jun 2013
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Seoulman69
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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My dream included me playing shows with my band this weekend then on Sunday going out with my girlfriend for some craft beer.
We did an IPA/Pale Ale test which included:
Jeju IPA
Magpie Pale Ale
Big Rock IPA
Full Moon Pale Ale
Rogue Yellow Snow IPA
Indica IPA
Brewdog Punk IPA.
Surprisingly the UK IPA (Brewdog) was voted our favourite. |
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Sector7G
Joined: 24 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 7:45 am Post subject: |
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| thebearofbundang wrote: |
Zero regrets. I've had the opportunity to work both as a teacher and for a company while experiencing a different culture and have learned a new language.
I've started a family and have outstanding in-laws. I have my own apartment with no mortgage and a car.
I've got an international school job which allows me to visit home
for 10 weeks each summer and 2 weeks each Christmas. I have basically the same job I would have if I stayed back home (assuming I could find a full time reaching job), but the facilities are nicer, students are more well behaved, taxes are much lower and class sizes are smaller.
My son gets free daycare, and will get a free education at a top international school when he gets older.
I spend my free time driving around the beautiful countryside and going hiking or to the beach/river with my family.
My biggest regret is being so far away from family and friends from back home for 9 months of the year,[/b] but the family and friends I have made while living here make up for it.
No regrets. |
IMO this post describes not only a pretty cool life that I could be content with but also the main downside to same life - being away from family back home. |
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