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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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missty
Joined: 19 Feb 2008
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 Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:38 am Post subject: Korea - is it worth it?? |
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Sorry if this is in the wrong place. Have no idea where to place it.
Anyway, there are loads of arguments for and against Korea, and I have to admit that most people on this site seemed to be for the latter. But still, I am thinking of going to Korea in September. I've lived in Hong Kong and I'm not expecting it to be anything like that, but I want to return to Asia and I want to go somwhere new.
What is so bad about Korea that makes people wine on about it on these sites? Are the schools really that terrible? Why do people hate it so much? I need to save money whilst I'm out there. Can I do that in Seoul?? I know, loads of questions. I'd really like honest advice that isn't from some disgruntled teacher... still, I might be asking a bit too much there I know... |
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kentucker4
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:51 am Post subject: Re: Korea - is it worth it?? |
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| missty wrote: |
Sorry if this is in the wrong place. Have no idea where to place it.
Anyway, there are loads of arguments for and against Korea, and I have to admit that most people on this site seemed to be for the latter. But still, I am thinking of going to Korea in September. I've lived in Hong Kong and I'm not expecting it to be anything like that, but I want to return to Asia and I want to go somwhere new.
What is so bad about Korea that makes people wine on about it on these sites? Are the schools really that terrible? Why do people hate it so much? I need to save money whilst I'm out there. Can I do that in Seoul?? I know, loads of questions. I'd really like honest advice that isn't from some disgruntled teacher... still, I might be asking a bit too much there I know... |
Just don't get a job at a hagwon!!! |
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VirginIslander
Joined: 24 May 2006
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 10:41 am Post subject: |
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Why do fat women give the best blow jobs? If you can answer that question, you shouldn't have a problem in Korea.
| Quote: |
| Anyway, there are loads of arguments for and against Korea, and I have to admit that most people on this site seemed to be for the latter. |
I know way more people in Korea who are satisfied with their lives than the reverse. Either they properly researched their jobs their first year like myself, they got lucky or they wised up their second year. This includes teachers at howgrons, public schools and universities.
However, you won't find them on here. They are at the bars, with friends, at dinner parties, practicing martial arts, teaching privates, taking sailing lessons, playing in bands, studying Korean, playing volleyball at the beach, running businesses, weighlifting, dating, going to baseball games, studying, hiking, surfing, kayaking, or planning their next vacation with their savings.
| Quote: |
| Just don't get a job at a hagwon!!! |
Come by my school anytime. You'll find five happy teachers. |
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Tarkaan
Joined: 09 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 10:49 am Post subject: Re: Korea - is it worth it?? |
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| kentucker4 wrote: |
| missty wrote: |
Sorry if this is in the wrong place. Have no idea where to place it.
Anyway, there are loads of arguments for and against Korea, and I have to admit that most people on this site seemed to be for the latter. But still, I am thinking of going to Korea in September. I've lived in Hong Kong and I'm not expecting it to be anything like that, but I want to return to Asia and I want to go somwhere new.
What is so bad about Korea that makes people wine on about it on these sites? Are the schools really that terrible? Why do people hate it so much? I need to save money whilst I'm out there. Can I do that in Seoul?? I know, loads of questions. I'd really like honest advice that isn't from some disgruntled teacher... still, I might be asking a bit too much there I know... |
Just don't get a job at a hagwon!!! |
I work at a Hagwan, my boss is awesome, my apartment has all mod cons, my salary is adequate. My only complaint is that everyone knows who I am because Se*kjeok is such a small place. So if I want to get stinking drunk and run around late at night, I need to do it in Daegu or Waegwan or Gumi where nobody knows who I am.
If you're looking for a Hagwan in Seoul or Busan or Daegu, that's not Korea. Leave that to the "city people." Come out to the countryside. The people are friendly as hell, there's no politics, I dunno... Maybe I'm just one of those rare people who loves my job, but I recommend it.
Especially if you've been overseas before. |
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Tarkaan
Joined: 09 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 10:56 am Post subject: |
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| VirginIslander wrote: |
| However, you won't find them on here. They are at the bars, with friends, at dinner parties, practicing martial arts, teaching privates, taking sailing lessons, playing in bands, studying Korean, playing volleyball at the beach, running businesses, weighlifting, dating, going to baseball games, studying, hiking, surfing, kayaking, or planning their next vacation with their savings. |
I lol at that. Learning Korean. Like... nobody here speaks English. If I want something obscure, there are four ways to get it: The owner. The owner's 9 year old son. Another teacher at the Hagwan who speaks decent enough Hanglish (especially after my 2nd bottle of Soju). Post.
The Consular General told me that if I want real Korea, I'm going to the right place. If I want a vacation, Chicago has a nice Chinatown with many Hangul.
Otheerwise, when I wake up in the morning, I'm in Korea. When I go to bed, I'm in Korea. Learning Hangul isn't a choice, it's required in order to survive. |
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thematrixiam
Joined: 31 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:08 am Post subject: Re: Korea - is it worth it?? |
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| Tarkaan wrote: |
If you're looking for a Hagwan in Seoul or Busan or Daegu, that's not Korea. Leave that to the "city people." Come out to the countryside. The people are friendly as hell, there's no politics, I dunno... Maybe I'm just one of those rare people who loves my job, but I recommend it.
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Ha ha.. 'city people'
I like my seoul with my easily accessible lifestyle. But by no means am I a 'city people'. First off, I'm a person, not a people.  . And B, I grew up in the country, raised me some chickens, and my closest neighbor was a good fields length away. Fourthly, I never found a problem with people not being friendly enough in seoul.
It's still korea. You're just more likely to be able to get some more things you are used to, like actual toilets, and people that can understand the word 'beer', 'rum' and 'coke' when in the seoul area.
As apposed to squatters, mekchu, rum-u, and coke-u. |
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olabueno
Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Location: Busan...as of 7/19
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:14 am Post subject: |
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Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself. Don't take too much stock in the whiney- ass complainers on this board. Most would complain just as vehemently if they were to move to Wisconson, Alabama, etc. They f**cking whine about everything...late flights, mean co-teachers, dick-headed bossess, field trips, prep time. We deal with all that stuff right here in the U.S. Plus remember, most of the shiet that people bitch about is brought on by themselves.
Why do you want to go? To soley make money? Then do not go.
Have you travelled anywhere else? Europe? Asia? Africa?
I'm going for many reasons; mainly because I'm bored. Also b/c I feel I need a break from the West. I can't wait to get to Korea!
Il look at it as challange, but also as a 1/2 year vacation from the doldrums and trappings of the "real" world. It will also be nice to live rent free for a while. Plus, I have 8 weeks paid per year + holidays. So trips to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mynmar, China, Japan, India, Nepal, etc. are no brainers.
If you are going to work at Hogwon/Hakwon, find one when you get here. That way you check it out, talk to few teachers, she if they like it. Then do visa run. But if your qualified, find a job at a private school or uni.
starting to ramble... |
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kentucker4
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:18 am Post subject: Re: Korea - is it worth it?? |
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| Tarkaan wrote: |
| kentucker4 wrote: |
| missty wrote: |
Sorry if this is in the wrong place. Have no idea where to place it.
Anyway, there are loads of arguments for and against Korea, and I have to admit that most people on this site seemed to be for the latter. But still, I am thinking of going to Korea in September. I've lived in Hong Kong and I'm not expecting it to be anything like that, but I want to return to Asia and I want to go somwhere new.
What is so bad about Korea that makes people wine on about it on these sites? Are the schools really that terrible? Why do people hate it so much? I need to save money whilst I'm out there. Can I do that in Seoul?? I know, loads of questions. I'd really like honest advice that isn't from some disgruntled teacher... still, I might be asking a bit too much there I know... |
Just don't get a job at a hagwon!!! |
I work at a Hagwan, my boss is awesome, my apartment has all mod cons, my salary is adequate. My only complaint is that everyone knows who I am because Se*kjeok is such a small place. So if I want to get stinking drunk and run around late at night, I need to do it in Daegu or Waegwan or Gumi where nobody knows who I am.
If you're looking for a Hagwan in Seoul or Busan or Daegu, that's not Korea. Leave that to the "city people." Come out to the countryside. The people are friendly as hell, there's no politics, I dunno... Maybe I'm just one of those rare people who loves my job, but I recommend it.
Especially if you've been overseas before. |
Mine was good for about five months. Now its true colors have come out. |
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kentucker4
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:20 am Post subject: |
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| olabueno wrote: |
Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself. Don't take too much stock in the whiney- ass complainers on this board. Most would complain just as vehemently if they were to move to Wisconson, Alabama, etc. They f**cking whine about everything...late flights, mean co-teachers, dick-headed bossess, field trips, prep time. We deal with all that stuff right here in the U.S. Plus remember, most of the shiet that people bitch about is brought on by themselves.
Why do you want to go? To soley make money? Then do not go.
Have you travelled anywhere else? Europe? Asia? Africa?
I'm going for many reasons; mainly because I'm bored. Also b/c I feel I need a break from the West. I can't wait to get to Korea!
Il look at it as challange, but also as a 1/2 year vacation from the doldrums and trappings of the "real" world. It will also be nice to live rent free for a while. Plus, I have 8 weeks paid per year + holidays. So trips to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mynmar, China, Japan, India, Nepal, etc. are no brainers.
If you are going to work at Hogwon/Hakwon, find one when you get here. That way you check it out, talk to few teachers, she if they like it. Then do visa run. But if your qualified, find a job at a private school or uni.
starting to ramble... |
You have 8 weeks vacation??? Well duh shit why you aint complaining. |
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IlIlNine
Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Location: Gunpo, Gyonggi, SoKo
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Korea - is it worth it?? |
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| missty wrote: |
What is so bad about Korea that makes people wine on about it on these sites? |
Foreigners that can't spell, actually. Stay far away. |
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Zaria32
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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| I've worked at two hogwons, and been happy at both... |
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NightSky
Joined: 19 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Tarkaan wrote: |
| The Consular General told me that if I want real Korea, I'm going to the right place. If I want a vacation, Chicago has a nice Chinatown with many Hangul. |
dude--I thought we had this lesson last week. hangul = alphabet. hangukin or hanguksaram = those black haired people you see every day. and I'm a little scared this will further confuse you, but hangukmal = the spoken language.
ok? |
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: Korea - is it worth it?? |
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| thematrixiam wrote: |
| Tarkaan wrote: |
If you're looking for a Hagwan in Seoul or Busan or Daegu, that's not Korea. Leave that to the "city people." Come out to the countryside. The people are friendly as hell, there's no politics, I dunno... Maybe I'm just one of those rare people who loves my job, but I recommend it.
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Ha ha.. 'city people'
I like my seoul with my easily accessible lifestyle. But by no means am I a 'city people'. First off, I'm a person, not a people. . And B, I grew up in the country, raised me some chickens, and my closest neighbor was a good fields length away. Fourthly, I never found a problem with people not being friendly enough in seoul.
It's still korea. You're just more likely to be able to get some more things you are used to, like actual toilets, and people that can understand the word 'beer', 'rum' and 'coke' when in the seoul area.
As apposed to squatters, mekchu, rum-u, and coke-u. |
Good call. I'm getting sick of all that smug bollocks you hear from posters here "Seoul's not authentic", "country folks are nicer", "the countryside is real" blah blah blah wank wank wank.
I'm in Yeosu now and it is, basically, a boring little hole of a town. Give me Seoul any day. I find Seoulites are just as friendly as the country people and I learned much more Korean in Seoul than in Yeosu because there were actually many more interesting people to talk to.
And as for that claim "there's no politics", what a load of crap. |
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bejarano-korea
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Korea - is it worth it?? |
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| missty wrote: |
| I'd really like honest advice that isn't from some disgruntled teacher... still, I might be asking a bit too much there I know... |
Bascially you want loaded advice off someone telling you how everything is going to be great! The 'disgruntled teacher' might be giving you their honest opinion about their realities in Korea - and why not! There are enough prat bosses making peoples lives a misery - They aren't the figment of anyones imagination.
I researched this thing backwards before coming and I still got screwed.
There is no guarantee towards your exeperience working out whatever you do beforehand to guarnatee its success.
All I can say is I liked most of it enough to want to come back and give it another go. I'm going to PS and near Seoul and hopefully these small factors will make the difference. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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Worth it for what? A fulfilling job? An interesting experience? The money? To escape your home country?
I think Korea's great for the most part, even if it is the most ridiculous country on earth. |
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