Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Polaroid Princess]

I have experience teaching abroad (Japan specifically) and would like to try it out again. I have heard a lot of negative things about Korea from people that are from all ethnic backgrounds (on this board at least). I haven't applied to many recruiters, but I haven't heard much on that front, and it seems like recruiting is just off the hook in SK. I wonder if it has anything to do with race. I'm wondering, what my options are and which employers are the least discriminating and where I could pretty much just do my work, get paid and not have to deal with a lot of extra harassment. There is

EPIK-- but I've heard its not that reliable

Universities -- I've heard they're unreliable too

Hogwans -- completely hit and miss

How about the big names like YBM and Pagoda? Is there any fair and equitable employer that can generally be worked for?

[Col.Brandon]

It's do-able, but it'll take you longer to find a good position, unfortunately. The best bet would probably be to come over here first and do your job hunting in person.

Although the job opportunities may be fewer, the quality of the offers you do get will be better - i.e you wouldn't want to work for anyone who doesn't want you, anyway.

[Omkara]

EPIK has been no problem for me. I wouldn't sweat working in a public school. It's much better than a hogwan.

For a black lady, I'd make sure you get to a larger city where they have some exposure to foreigners.

The Koreans are prejudiced, for sure. You'll be sure to hear many ignorant comments. Expect that, especially at first. But once the people around you know you, they'll accept you.

One thing about Korean racism, it is very much on the surface. It's just stupid, not hateful like you'd get in some parts of the States.

I'm just a white guy, though. So, my perspective is limited. I do see some black people around, and they seem to be quick to smile. But there aren't many around.

Hopefully, you'll get into contact with a few black people through this and get some direct perspective. Make sure that you get more than one person's perspective. Like with the EPIK thing, you'll read a lot of negative here. But the reality is really not so bad.

[Alyallen]

It's a roll of the dice. It could turn out well or turn into a shite storm of epic proportions. I've experienced both. I worked at a small hogwon that was my own personal trial by fire, a chain hogwan that was great and an elementary school where I feel, even after nearly two years, that I am still that Black thing that happens to speak English deep in my students' hearts

But there are more Black teachers in my city since I came here 3 years ago. I've been here the longest so I'm somewhat encouraged to see hogwons and schools and parents move away from the idea that the color of your skin represents your teaching abilities. But I would draw a balance between accepting some behavior as just ignorance and sticking up for yourself because there is a lot of ignorance here and picking your battles in the end will save your sanity.

Good luck. Finding a job won't be a cakewalk but that probably just means are the racist wrong headed people took a pass and ultimately did you a favor.

There are a few other Black teachers floating around here. I'm sure they'll chime in eventually.

[PigeonFart]

My school had 2 black female teachers and they had no problems at work or in the community. There was another black female locally and she seemed happy too. So the country is slowly coming out of the Middle ages in this respect....although some of the curriculum was so racist! One of our black teachers refused to teach a certain lesson. I can't remember what the content was cos it happened last year, but i remember being shocked at how backward Korea is sometimes. But as i said, its slowly moving toward its own renaissance or enlightenment. It can't come soon enough in my opinion.

[bassexpander]

I had a good friend who was black and teaching in Korea about 4 years ago. She made me laugh, because she gave me all kinds of stuff when she left. She didn't want to put it out on the curb, and kept saying, "I don't want THEM to get any of it!"

I couldn't figure out if "them" meant Koreans, or if it meant the recycle guys.

[lowpo]

[Polaroid Princess]

Thanks for everyone's replies, they do give a bit of insight into the situation in SK. Colonel, I have heard the same from someone who has taught English in Korea, that the best thing to do is to head over and check the waters out. On the flipside, EPIK seems like it might be better than the Hogwans, but I wouldn't want to fill out all that paperwork just to find out that I hadn't been accepted. Is it very difficult to get accepted into EPIK?

[kimchi_pizza]

[pkang0202]

If you come over here first and then do your job hunt, you will NOT get your flight reimbursed for coming to Korea.

[Tony_Balony]

African Americans shouldn't come to Korea to teach English because its an overwhelmingly bad career choice. The jobs are just bad. When an European American and an African American dig themselves into the same exact hole, the African American will take much longer to get themselves out.
This place is an example of an unwise battle.

[Leilam]

Baaahhh! I dont care what they think of my skin color(im black too) i will teach and conquer Korea !!! YAAAAR! Besides, thats the whole point of me going overseas: People skills. Although im not sure how im goin to take the overt racism. I fear i might go home after work everyday, crawl into bed and cry my eyes out =-/ or even worse cry infront of the students! *gasp*

hmm... o.O"

[elliemk]

There are three black people who attend my church in Ulsan, and I haven't heard any of them complain about racism. All of them seem relatively happy in their positions, which range from teaching in a public school to teaching at a teacher's training company.

I know of several jobs available here in Ulsan, as I just completed my own job hunt. I'll be happy to send you the details if you'll just e-mail me at elliemk at mindspring.com

Meanwhile, I wouldn't think of coming over here without a job already in hand. Like someone else said, you won't get your airfare reimbursed and it make take you a month to find something, which means you have to pay for a place to live, etc. for that time.

Good luck, no matter what you decide to do.

[spliff]

Never seen any chitlins here but there's plenty of fried chicken available.

[Bibbitybop]