Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Aegy]

I'm a college student in the US (born and raised) and I've been considering taking a break for a while to teach abroad, and I really would like to go to Korea for that. Is this possible, outside of that government program they have going on?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Not legally, outside that government programme they have going on.

[PRagic]

Finish your degree and give it a shot. Unless you graduate and have the piece of paper in hand, there's nothing here for you. Years ago, I knew a few people working over here on the sly who didn't have their degree, but things have changed. It's just to expensive to bother now, and much tougher to find work.

The 'governement program' seems like a waste of time, pays squat, and sticks you out in the boonies. I know 4 straight years of university can be a drag, but the long and short of it is that you're going to have to finish up some time. Suck it up, knock it out, and then pursue your opportunities.

[Aegy]

Yeah I guess. I wasn't really considering it for the money or career, more like a break from school to experience life internationally, while doing something.

[oskinny1]

If you are not in it for the money there are bound to be better places than Korea to get your fix.

[Aegy]

well, although i've been an american all my life, im an ethnic korean, hence why i want to get my fix there.

[PRagic]

Then this is the LAST place you want to come without your degree! And make sure that you don't have any latent citizenship issues, or they'll haul your ass into the Army. LOL.

Maybe you have family here who could put you up and help you network to get some tutoring jobs, but why bother? Is that really an 'international experience'?

Look, finish the degree, then look around. You'll be better off. Hell, you could even join the Peace Corps or something.

[KYC]

I suggest a long vacation then. Do you have family here you can stay with? Stay 1 or maybe 2 months.

[PRagic]

Or you could just join the military like I did when I was in your shoes. Trust me, after a few years of THAT, you're pretty psyched to knock out the degree on get on with things!

To each their own, though. Once you 'take a break', it's never that easy to get back into gear.

But, hey, if you have to, then go somewhere like the Philippines, Vietnam, or Thailand. It's a helluvalot cheaper so your money will go farther. Don't know where a college sophomore is getting a couple of grand for an airline ticket to start, but, hey, none of my business.

[KYC]

[red_devil]

Plenty of "gyopos" teach English in Korea without degrees but with some college. The chances of you getting screwed over by a Hagwon is higher though...get a F4 if you can.

[PRagic]

Welcome to the real world. The lighter your credentials and the fewer your connections, the more you get screwed over. Happens here much like in just about any other country, but with a different spin on it.

[yingwenlaoshi]

Just come and work illegally.

[Adventurer]

[i4NI]