Korean Job Discussion Forums

[poohbear]

hello, i've read over and over in this forum that racism is quite prevalent in Korea, how does this carry over to Hispanic or Black Americans (or any minority) looking for teaching work in Korea? I taught English for 2.6 years in Japan, my coworker was Indian American and I met plenty of Black English teachers along w/ Asian Americans, so it never seemed like a problem in Japan (for employment), is this also the case in Korea? Have you heard of any problems regarding this?

I never actually thought it would be until i read an old blog post from 2002 by someone saying schools prefer "wholesome whites" which is why they always ask for a photo along w/ your resume.

http://www.bootsnall.com/travelogues/korea/8.shtml
(2nd last paragraph)

Is there any truth to that or is he just rambling? Thanks in advance.

[marlow]

I know some Black teachers working in Korea, although Koreans can be racist at times.

I'd like to know if the stories of Black teachers being left at the airport are urban legend, though.

[fromtheuk]

I am of Pakistani descent from England. I've worked in Korea for about 9 months.

It seems some Koreans really like white people.

But you'll be pleased to hear some Koreans ridicule ALL foreigners, regardless of their enthnicity, so they implement equal opportunities when it comes to hating foreigners equally.

To be more serious, some Koreans are incredibly nice but it seems like many more are xenophobic, it's sometimes hard to be objective on this subject, because negative experiences tend to remain in one's brain.

If you apply for a public school job, I believe your background is quite irrelevant. As long as you have a degree and are a citizen of an English speaking country, to get a job is very easy.

[marlow]

[R. S. Refugee]

There is racism and, as far as I know, it's quite legal here.

I once saw a job ad by a recruiter with the heading, "If you're young and you're white, then you're alright." I'm not young.

I think it is probably worst for hagwons because they reflect the prejudices of their customers. Finding work at a public school or a university (if you have the qualifications for teaching at uni in Korea) would be easier because they are more insulated from that.

I was at a gathering recently of all the English teachers in my province (many hundreds of them) and I saw what seemed like quite a few African Americans. I have also met African Americans who were teaching at hagwons in Gangnam. So, it is doable depending on your own personal resilience and willingness to wade through the crap to find a good situation.

Good luck to you. Oh, and I have personally witnessed very serious racism from what seemed to be a mentally ill woman in a position of authority. She had just returned from spending 2 years at a famous religious uni in Utah and said she had been the victim of racism there, so, in her infinite idiocy decided to take revenge on the first whities she could get ahold of after returing to Korea since they bore a racial resemblance to her alledged tormentors in Utah. She made false accusations to the police and managed to cause one of her whitey victims to spend two years defending himself (successfully everytime) through 3 trials.

Why 3 trials? Because if you have a weeny prosecutor who can't stand losing face by losing a trial, the weeny can appeal the not guilty verdict through a couple more courts (right up to the K. Supreme Court) without having any new phony evidence at all. So, this weeny, instead of losing face for losing a trial, got to lose triple face for losing three trials. Probably wasn't able to have sex for months afterwards. But small consolation to the victims of such a malicious and totally phony prosecution.

Good luck with your job hunt.

[wylies99]

[suneater]

I'm Maori, twice as wide across the shoulders as most most Koreans, wear full sleeve tattoos, and usually have a crazy haircut, and Koreans have been really kind to me...or maybe they're just terrified

[fromtheuk]

marlow - I think they dislike me because I don't socialize with any of my colleagues, I'm a total introvert.

I don't eat with my colleagues during lunch, I eat my own packed lunch in my office.

I also look quite serious, don't pretend to be here on a diplomatic mission, and I never kiss a$%. But I am always civil.

I also refuse to do everything that is suggested to me, but not for the sake of being awkward.

Add to that, I have a big beard, shaved head and look nothing like a westerner, I think all of those factors explain why I am not loved at my school.

But I feel happier using this approach, because it's who I am. I know putting on an act and kissing up can be very tiring compared with being yourself.

I feel some stress from what I perceive to be hostility, but I am sure I would feel much worse if I ate Korean food for lunch everyday and pretended I actually like people, who I really don't like very much at all.

[R. S. Refugee]

[mrsquirrel]

[poohbear]

ok sweet. so long as it doesnt hinder employment im cool. i 'm quite laid back and never had to think about this in japan, but that blog post had me a bit cautious. if they're racist to everyone in general then that's fabulous, erm, well in regards to me not being singled out i mean. lol cheers folks.

[hari seldon]

[Chris Kwon]

From what i read..japan is supposedly more xenophobic, but thats just what i read.

[poohbear]

[Ukon]