Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kimchi Cha Cha]

Today's the five year anniversary of the first day I set foot on the Land of the Morning Calm and I thought it might be apt to post a reflective piece on my first day in Korea.

Hope you enjoy!

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Friday, 4th April, 2003

Friday, 4th April, 2003 is a day that I remember as vividly as if it were yesterday. It was the day I first landed in the Land of the Morning Calm, Korea.

Just six weeks beforehand I was working part-time, trawling the Internet for job positions. I came across a position teaching English in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. It perked my interest into a whole world of opportunity I never knew existed. I could actually make money teaching English! People would pay money to have me teach them without any actual teaching qualifications.

I scanned the China position with interest and started to ponder whether I would be able to adjust, adapt and succeed in a foreign land. I knew it would be challenging - adjusting, adapting and succeeding in my homeland had already proofed a hard enough task for myself.

As the week went on, I became more and more intrigued with this whole teaching English in Asia phenomena and starting actively looking at other positions available in other countries. I had an offer for an interview with a Japanese company, which recently went bust by the way, though they wanted me to fly to Brisbane at my expense for an interview for a job I had no guarantee I'd get. As money was short, I declined the interview and looked on.

As time went on, I looked more and more at Korea. It was a fairly modern, progressive country it seemed - having watched the 2002 World Cup and knowing a few Korean friends in high school I was an expert, of course. They offered free accommodation, return airfare and a decent salary, and was the clincher for me.

Fast forward a month later to April 4th. I arrive at Incheon early on a bleak, overcast Friday morning. In a foreign land, knowing only two basic greetings, I had to get myself down to the city I'd be living in, a good four hours away. I find the bus, take it and am on my way to a new adventure. We reach my town, I get off at what I think is my stop.

Turns out it's not my stop and the foreign manager is waiting elsewhere. Taxis drive by slowly, some stopping, watching this awkward, hairy bastard seemingly in the middle of nowhere with no idea or clue about where he is - or anything else for that matter. One kindly chap comes along and asks with broken English and body language what's the matter. Luckily I find a piece of paper with my recruiter's phone number. Twenty minutes later I'm picked up and the next phase begins.

I'm taken to school. The big boss meets me. Looks me up and down thoroughly. He was reluctant at first to hire me as he had never hired someone outside North America before. He gives me the seal of approval, or more aptly, grudging acceptance. He also leaves this sage advice, "The most important thing is that the kids keep coming and parents pay money." After that I was reassured I was working at a reputable place!

I have lunch with my recruiter and her friends who spent the whole lunchtime bitching about work and Korea. Fun times! Way to make the new sap feel comfortable.

The foreign teacher then takes me to the school I will be working at. You see I was under the foolish impression that having arrived in town mid-afternoon Friday, they'd let me rest and have me come in the following Friday. Ho, ho, not in Korea! On the car ride to my new workplace I'm starting to feel a little apprehensive about this whole teaching straight off the place business. "What will I teach them?" I ask the foreign manager. "I dunno. You're the teacher!", his only reply. Gee, thanks arsehole!

Luckily my only duty is standing in, watching classes from the head teacher who was a nice guy. As the day wears on, I get increasingly tired and jetlagged, and am given an early mark to rest at my new house. The head teacher invites me to come along later that night to meet a large group of the foreign community who have gathered at a teacher's house for a poker party. I become increasingly tired, jetlagged and weird as the night goes on but have a reasonable time.

I think my first day in Korea set me up well and largely set the tone for the next five years in Korea ...

[K-in-C]

Well,

Your story did not pop out my eye balls. It is a pretty typical tale but thanks for sharing it. Congrats!

Now what have you got planned for the next five years?

Best,

K-in-C

[Kimchi Cha Cha]

Thanks. Yeah, it's a pretty much run of the mill story for many foreigners who come here.

I think in the short to medium-term at least I'll be in Korea, most probably in the Suncheon area as my gf is from here. In the medium to long term, I would definitely like to move on, not necessary back home but somewhere like Malaysia seems quite nice and I believe it has a fairly promising future.