Korean Job Discussion Forums

widespread123 · Joined: 12 Jun 2007

I am almost finished with my first year contract in Korea and I am weighing my options on where to teach next. I am a traveler at heart and is the main reason I came to Korea. I really just wanted to experience a new culture and have an opportunity to travel when I finish. I am heading to Thailand to take a TOEFL course and then I need to figure out where I want to go. The world is my oyster.

Where would you chose and why?

I am thinking about:

Poland- Pros: beautiful women, cheap living, good travel options
Cons: Bad pay, cold weather, rude people, depression at times

Vietnam- Pros: Decent pay, on the beach, cheap
Cons: possibly too hot, under-developed

Chile/Argentina: Pros: cheap, travel options abound
Cons: low pay, hard to find jobs, dangerous!!

Anyways, these are my thoughts at the moment. Some of my perceptions could be dead wrong, too. Money is not a top priority but something to consider. I would love hear hear what others are thinking.

mcgeezer · Joined: 17 Apr 2007

I was thinking about teaching in Chile before i got here, but seemed that all the jobs were missionary type work for Catholic Schools...The pay was crap, and just overall not very attractive...

The pay is good in Vietnam? Didn't know that!

renzobenzo1 · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Location: Suji, Yongin

I'm off to Taiwan next year....That way I will base there and take holidays to Thailand and the Philippines, China etc.

aarontendo · Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Location: Daegu-ish

Vietnam. I'd want to check it out first, but from what I've heard they've got some decent gigs. Good salaries down in those parts i hear. I'd also consider Thailand, but I don't wanna get spoiled there!

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

Egypt or the UAE.
They have better benefits and they recognize qualifications.
It's also less likely that I'll work with children in those countries.

widespread123 · Joined: 12 Jun 2007

From what I have heard, Vietnam is a really good gig. Very relaxed lifestyle, dirt cheap and the pay is pretty good. Obviously not like Korea but if I can get a good place on the beach and a solid job, I would be very happy.

Anyone thinking about Eastern Europe?

nomad-ish · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:51 pm Post subject:

Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Russia....gee, i better narrow it down a bit

Boodleheimer · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:32 pm Post subject:

turkey or UAE

postfundie · Joined: 28 May 2004

I was thinking about Chile too....can't expect much pay anywhere in latin america....korea spoils people.....as for the danger, I think that Santiango shouldn't be toooo bad....

nicholas_chiasson · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Location: Samcheok

-Russia is impossible if fluent in the language...Moscow IS the most expensive city in the world. YES. I know they tell you otherwise, but...even in Petersburg I was paying about $2 for street food that would be 50 cents here in Korea. Go there for the experience, work as few hours as possible, and bring about $5000 and you'll have a great time.

air76 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007

I noticed that a couple people on here are interested about teaching in Chile....I am in Chile at the moment and would be more than happy to shed some light on A. the real situation here, and B. the way around that situation to make decent money.....at the moment I make around $2000/month as a private contractor, teaching about 22-25 hours a week. I make $20/hr for 1/3 of my classes and $30/hr for the rest....but this is not common, language institutes pay around $11 (minus taxes)...if you work as a legal private contractor here your CLIENTS pay the taxes, it's great.

All that being said....my first 5 months here I had to work at a school to get contacts, etc....so you can't come and start making $2000/month in the first couple months, and JAN/FEB are dead, you're better off not working and just traveling in South America.

Anyhow, I have to head to class, but if anyone is seriously considering Chile send me an email and I will give you the info.....but I would say that if you're not willing to work as a private contractor it isn't really worth working here. (unless you get on at a public school, my girlfriend does that and makes around $1400/month)

[email protected]

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

The US. Really. Whenever I don't want to be in Korea anymore, I'll go back and teach in the US.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:12 am Post subject:

I know Istanbul and Budapest have a thriving ESL industry, and it'd be nice if Buenos Aires did, but I dunno about that.

Oreovictim · Joined: 23 Aug 2006

If this annoying Korean law passes, I'll be tempted to jump ship and go to a new country. Which one? Money is a big factor in my decision. What's the pay ranking as far as countries? Is it . . .

1. Korea
2. Japan (Sure, Japan pays more, but the cost of living probably eats your pay.)
3. Tawain?
4. Vietnam?
5. Thailand?

I'll be in Thailand this Friday, if I really like it, I'll do some time there. But I would miss the cash that I save here.

bejarano-korea · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Argentina (Buenos Aires) is not dangerous... there is a cop on every street corner. Little chance of getting mugged... now Lima on the other hand... Laughing

Loads of English schools in BA including the chain schools like Wall St, Berlitz, IH etc. You will have no problems getting work whatsoever.

You'll be working illegally 'en negro' but the women are beautiful and the food and drink is cheap... what will stiffen you is somewhere to live... rent is not cheap... no senor! Mad

Chile (or Santiago) is a better bet as you will find work and get your employer to sponsor your visa while in country. Chile isn't dangerous - don't mistake all South America for dangerous cities such as Rio, Lima, Bogota etc... these places are dangerous though...

I'm off to Lima next year to stay with family! Cool