Korean Job Discussion Forums

[atomjuice2]

Here is the 'plain truth' about Korea and teaching here ( a cursory summarization ):

1) Since the New E2 regulations sort of came into effect, it's much easier to just work off a tourist visa for 6 months ( if you're a Canadian ) ...if you're America...well...get the 'hoop-jumping' guidebook out and warmed up.

2) Unless a Korean colleage thinks you are handsome/ or likes you ( if you are male )...you will either be completely ignored, or simply used to their advantage without any regard for you feelings whatsoever...if you are a 'hot' female native speaker, expect all the females cooleages to be as sweet as pie to your face, but green with envy on the inside...especially when all the Korean male teachers pay you their daily homeage of lustful glances-- and the director blatantly caters to your every whim ( secretly hoping to land you in the sack ).

3) No Korean in the hogwan system will ever be a friend to you in earnest ( a secondary agenda is always the motivating factor...you will see the real agenda after the sugar-coating melts in the heat of a summer-soju hangover they frequently arrive to school with )...long-term-after Korea frienship is a silly dillusion even the most optimistic teachers never mention on posts here.

4) All the banking rules, handphone rules...on and on..are very thinly desguised racism...period. I once went all over Pusan trying to but a new cellular, but they would not sell me one...I told them in frustration that I would not hook it up...that I was just buying it to take back to Canada to show them how superior Korean technology was...they wouldn't budge even when I pulled a wad of bills out of my pocket ( the only time I never experienced a Korean not sprout eyes on tentacles when money was displayed).

5) All visa rules are subject to change according to individual immigration workers night before experience at the room salon...if he got a good lay, the new regulations are usually 'interpreted creatively '...

6) Recruiters...that question contains its own reply.

7) I'm thinking of creating a board game based on my 6 years in Korea. I'm thinking of calling it " Shift the Blame ", 'Almost a Law', 'South Korruption', or Spin the Tail on the Englishee Native Visa (almost) Laws...haven't decidied yet...open to title suggestions from anyone tho....

The best part of Korea is waving goodbye to it...

9) The second best part is exacting some karmic revenge when I meet these arrogant @ssholes back in Canada...

...Korean doesn't 'sparkle', it twinkles....

[falco]

Pretty much sums it up really..........

Ive been here 6 years also and had more than my share of ups & downs.

- falco.

[TECO]

Yeah, that's the pretty much the truth. I actually agree with you.

However, I've taught in a few East Asian countries now and guess what - it's the same in Taiwan and China and Japan. Korea's no exception.

Yes, the exprience tends to be harsher in Korea ,but all of the elements you've decribed above exist to varying degrees in neighboring countries.

Hope you were able to take your money and run.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Although 'teaching' was in the title, there wasn't a mention of it in the post. It was about the frustrations of living here.

[Biblethumper]

I agree: what has this to do with teaching? In fact any of my stress in Korea has arisen out of conflicts about curriculum etc. (And I no longer suffer angst about such, because I have learned how to patiently work through teaching troubles.)

[ardis]

Eh, I'm lucky enough not to be on the E-2, so I can't complain about that, but I don't work in a hagwon and a lot your blanket statements don't really apply to me. Two of my co-teacher still maintain a really good friendship with the former Native teacher--she's still in Korea and they go out to coffee with her, exchange emails, class ideas, etc. Maybe you've had some crap times but I genuinely enjoy my co-teachers--they're like moms to me, looking out for me all the time.

[some waygug-in]

I disagree.

Racism can be expressed in many ways. While it's true that racism is not so blatant as back home, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Banks all seem to have their own ideas about what rules govern foreigners in Korea. Some even "make up their own" mysterious regulations and claim it to be national law.

What has buying a cell phone got to do with "foreigners leaving unpaid bills"? It's up the the service provider to safeguard against that, not people selling phones in stores.

The visa regulations have everything to do with teaching, if you can't see this then there is no hope for you. My guess is that 90% of the complaints against hagwans and schools would disappear if we were in charge of our own visas (like teachers in Japan).


While there is some truth in what you say, there is also some truth in what the OP has posted.

[Bibbitybop]

[laogaiguk]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

2) My Korean co-workers have been more helpful and caring as a whole (and not just the English teachers) than any I had in Canada.

3) I kept touch with a number of my Korean coworkers after I quit my first job, despite the fact that in several cases the boss would most definitely *not* have wanted us getting together.

[PRagic]

I am sure that anyone who has been here for over a couple of years has had their share of negative experiences.

The OP's rant, however, could be applied to just about any entry level job in any big city around the world. People who don't care about you? Check. Getting by because of looks? Check. Can't get some service without residency? Check.

I've said it before, and it's directly applicable here: don't stay at hakwons. Ever.

And the OP violates the first rule of cross-cultural interaction. In almost all cases, misunderstandings have their roots in cultural, not personal differences. The OP has obviously taken it personally.

Good luck in your future. Living overseas is not for everyone.

[ou812]

Here is the 'plain truth' about Korea and teaching here ( a cursory summarization ):

[b]You could easily write this about any country (maybe more so in America)[/b]

1) Since the New E2 regulations sort of came into effect, it's much easier to just work off a tourist visa for 6 months ( if you're a Canadian ) ...if you're America...well...get the 'hoop-jumping' guidebook out and warmed up.

2) Unless a Korean colleage thinks you are handsome/ or likes you ( if you are male )...you will either be completely ignored, or simply used to their advantage without any regard for you feelings whatsoever...if you are a 'hot' female native speaker, expect all the females cooleages to be as sweet as pie to your face, but green with envy on the inside...especially when all the Korean male teachers pay you their daily homeage of lustful glances-- and the director blatantly caters to your every whim ( secretly hoping to land you in the sack ).

Have you ever worked in an American company - How Naive

3) No Korean in the hogwan system will ever be a friend to you in earnest ( a secondary agenda is always the motivating factor...you will see the real agenda after the sugar-coating melts in the heat of a summer-soju hangover they frequently arrive to school with )...long-term-after Korea frienship is a silly dillusion even the most optimistic teachers never mention on posts here.

Applies to all nationalities - Americans are much more apt to this, and will maybe even bring a gun or are more prone to violence

4) All the banking rules, handphone rules...on and on..are very thinly desguised racism...period. I once went all over Pusan trying to but a new cellular, but they would not sell me one...I told them in frustration that I would not hook it up...that I was just buying it to take back to Canada to show them how superior Korean technology was...they wouldn't budge even when I pulled a wad of bills out of my pocket ( the only time I never experienced a Korean not sprout eyes on tentacles when money was displayed).

Even as an American in America, this happens, especially in Government offices

5) All visa rules are subject to change according to individual immigration workers night before experience at the room salon...if he got a good lay, the new regulations are usually 'interpreted creatively '...

Huh, really practiced more in America. Go to any governement building and the staff there seems like they are more occupied with the plot of last nights Lost episode.

6) Recruiters...that question contains its own reply.

Have you ever tried applying to an American recruiting company - same ol' situation. Maybe worse to the minorties in America.

7) I'm thinking of creating a board game based on my 6 years in Korea. I'm thinking of calling it " *beep* the Blame ", 'Almost a Law', 'South Korruption', or Spin the Tail on the Englishee Native Visa (almost) Laws...haven't decidied yet...open to title suggestions from anyone tho....

In America, there ARE games based on ridiculous laws, practices, etc... of living in Korea. Have you heard of some of the laws they have in America?

The best part of Korea is waving goodbye to it...

The best part of America is the hugh portions of food, looking at the fat girl in spandex, seeing a motorist get pulled over and the cops beating the sh** out of them, girls that will take off their clothes after a few drinks and being videotaped on Girls Go Wild, etc.....

9) The second best part is exacting some karmic revenge when I meet these arrogant @ssholes back in Canada...

The second best part is seeing you go back and being nothing again...

...Korean doesn't 'sparkle', it twinkles....

... Insert here, it's plain hypocrisy

[crusher_of_heads]

What's with all the idiots spitting like that, anyway?

[DongtanTony]

1) God forbid you might have to go through a background check and an interview...you will be working in a county on the other side of the planet after all. Thankfully, you're not a teacher back home...we could really talk about hoop jumping then.

2) My director...in a hagwon mind you...is the BEST Korean man I've ever met. Mostly because he has traveled extensively and understands how difficult it is to be a foreign face in a foreign land. He isn't my best buddy...but he respects me...and my girlfriend...to the utmost. I've recently been appointed Head Teacher...and not because of my tush kissing ability...because I tell him what I like about his ideas, what I don't like, and what I think will work best. Honest, open, polite and respectful discourse...that's what many Koreans respect...at least that's how it works in my hagwon.

3) We've made friendships at both our hagwons...if you're unapproachable...always pissy at something...and otherwise a generally unhappy/unpleasant person...yeah, you'll have trouble making friends with your Korean co-workers. If you're willing to extend an invitation on occasion...and make a genuine effort with your co-workers...you'll be surprised at what you'll learn from them...and them from you.

4) Personally, I've never had a problem with banks or cell phones...period. Then again, I've never asked for an international ATM from a Korean bank...and I'm not of the opinion that it's a necessity for my travel purposes...I'm always liquid when I travel. Cell phone regs...as long as your ARC is three months old...you can get a plan...have a Korean help you if you have any problems...I walked in alone, with a smile, and did it in about 30 minutes. If you really have problems with a plan...go to a train station...or even Itaewon...get a pre-paid...any Korean will gladly sell you a junky pre-paid phone that'll most likely break within the first three months.

5) I agree with the OP's point 5...there isn't a "one size fits all" immigration policy yet...that is an extremely valid point.

6) Recruiters...the majority at least...are slightly better than human traffickers. I agree with the OP here as well.

7) That's just plain funny...how about "Strangee than Fiction?"

Coming from a state certified teacher...I've got it easy in Korea...then again, I have a job I'm thrilled with, good hours, great co-workers (Korean and foreign), and a fabulous apartment. I lucked out, I admit...but I also realize how much better I have it here compared to dealing with the politics, parents, just above poverty level wages, and the out of control apathetic students I'd be teaching in the states.

I also realize that I came here to work...experiencing different cultures and getting the chance to do some pretty amazing international travel just happens to be a byproduct of our purpose here. Don't kid yourself either, you're not going to help Korean students master the English language in a day...or even a year...but...if I can teach one of my students...one meaningful "thing" a day...I've done my job. Small victories is the name of the game with effective teaching...anywhere in the world.

[poet13]

Having a rant is fine.....bit of a broad brush though....