Korean Job Discussion Forums

[OnTheOtherSide]

What's up people.

I just got done browsing through ESL jobs in Korea and China. I was surpised to find that the pay rates are really, really starting to even out.

The average monthly pay in Korea, converted into US dollars is about $1400 or $1500 right now. And the monthly pay for a lot of Chinese jobs is at about $1300 or a little less. China still pays less, but not very much less, the difference is only a couple hundred bucks.

Have any of you thought about going to China? It looks like China is becoming almost as lucrative as Korea. Korea offers a free plane ticket, but that seems like the only real advantage at this point. Chinese jobs offer free housing and almost the same package.

I am in the US right now and it is allright, but boredom is starting to set in, and things in the US really, really are going down the crapper at an amazingly fast pace. The unemployment rate and the amount of good jobs available here is really sh!tty. I have a decent paying job here, but it is incredibly tedious, mind-numbing, unfulfilling and boring, I feel the urge to escape.

I have thought about returning to Korea. But with the won being so devalued, I feel like I am better off going somewhere else. It seems like most people have a more interesting experience in China too.

What do you all think?[/b]

[caniff]

Never lived in China, so I can't offer an opinion about that, but the Korean Won has really been kicking me in the ass lately. I know it'll come back up eventually, but this really sucks right now.

Of course, I have to send money home to the US every month. For those who don't, I don't think it's such a big deal vis-a-vis purchasing power. While there is some inflation, most things here (up til now) have remained the same.

[Easter Clark]

I find Korea infinitely easier to live in than China, but then, I tend to like developed countries.

[D.D.]

China is way more fun and you can do lots of stuff with your pay. But a uni job there still pays about 4500 rmb a month which is about the same as 8 years ago.

4500rmb is a lot less than 1400us a month it's about 700. I never want to work in a Chinese academy.

I hear Korean schools in China can pay well and you can get lots of privates but they treat their teachers like crap.

[ttompatz]

In terms of the bottom line - jingle in your jeans at the end of it all - they are pretty close to equal. (ESL IS a competitive market).

In terms of work issues, they are pretty equal too - working in China is no picnic either.

In terms of quality of life issues - it is a toss up.
In terms of creature comforts - Korea wins.
In terms of the opportunity to experience other things in Asia - China wins.

Flip a coin - heads you go to China, tails you go to Korea.

Oh, and most decent jobs in China offer airfare (at least partially) as well.

.

[Ruraljuror]

[DCJames]

[OnTheOtherSide]

[OnTheOtherSide]

[bundangbabo]

I fancy China next year, university teaching appeals to me as does teaching students over the age of 18.

Apparentley the pads are a lot nicer as is the food.

[Straphanger]

[cdninkorea]

[OnTheOtherSide]

[jajdude]

You can be happy. Location and situation are important. China's a bit cheaper too, depending where you are.

[ReeseDog]