Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Carla]

This post is really aimed at people who have their own children.

Ok. I am thinking about returning to Korea next year with my son, who will be 3. To those people who have kids, what is it like?

Single parents, did you bring someone with you at least in the beginning to care for the child?

When the single parent, or both parents, are working, what did you find to be the best thing for your child? Child care? Nanny? Etc.

When they get older, what about school? Home school? Hakwon? Public school? Private school?

Insurance? Did you have any issues putting your child on your insurance?

Was it hard getting the appropriate visa? Did the child have to do a visa run also?

Any other issues that I am did not mention that you think I should consider?

Please. Only helpful advise. No smarta## comments please.

[LostinKSpace]

First some questions ?

Do you have relatives here or will you be alone ?

Can you speak Korean ?

Are you coming here to teach if so what type of gig public school uni?

I have a three year old son, and life is ok, but it is a struggle somedays. I'm lucky in that my wife is Korean and so if anything major happens she is always on hand to straighten it out, although I live out in the sticks the doctors I have taken my son to have managed to communicate what the problem and treatment is very well.

Korea, is child friendly insofar as you can take your kid almost anywhere at anytime, daycare is a lot cheaper than back home as are toys . My school is quite forgiving if I have to take time off for an emergency, but I think that is more due to the influence of my wife than me.

Having said all that, I will be leaving Korea next year and one of the driving forces behind that is that I do not want to educate my child in the Korean system

[Carla]

I do not have relatives in Korea, and I'm not gyopo if that was your next question. If it wasn't your next question, sorry for assuming. My and my son are caucasian Americans. I am planning on taking at least one person just to visit (possibly stay longer) for a month while I get settled and check out everything. Probably one of my cousins.

While I can read Korean with no problem (and never leave my dictionary at home) my Korean is by no means fluent because I have forgotten most of what I have learned since I've been home. I see no problem relearning everything quickly and all important documents (allergies, emergency contacts, etc.) I play to translate or have translated and laminate before I leave.

Since I lived in Korea for over a year on a tourist visa (3 month visa runs) with a friend, I have no "experience" here so I will probably be working at a hakwon, but I am open to anything that meets my requirements and I check it out and like it.

You are very lucky to have a Korean wife if you live with your son in the "sticks," but for the sake of safety, I will stick to Seoul, Suwon, or Ansan, etc., since there is a better chance of communication in an emergency.

Depending on how long I stay in Korea, if I enroll my son in my hakwon, I can even see a hakwon boasting to the parents that their children can play with an American child, so that might be a bonus.

The education won't be as much of an issue for me, because I planned on homeschooling barring unforseen incidents even at home.


Thank you so much and anything else will be appreciated.

[Adventurer]

I, personally, would not bring a foreign child to live in Korea unless I worked for the U.S. military and had a wife. Otherwise, I wouldn't do it. It's not easy for American kids in Korea. I don't have kids, but I know someone who has a child, and it's hard for the child. However, the child is half black. It might be easier for your child if she is white.

[GwangjuParents]

Carla,

I have two kids in Korea. One 5 and one 1.5.

My wife is Korean, and I'll be honest with you: Raising kids in Korea without a Korean spouse would be very challenging.

My wife is a stay at home mom, and I'm fortunate to have total freedom over my schedule meaning I can devote as much time as needed to kid issues, and even given our circumstances it's a handful sometimes.

Trying to do it as a single parent in a foreign, non-English country... some could pull it off, but again it would be very tough.

[Carla]

I completely understand how a lot of people on these boards don't think single moms shouldn't be involved in Korea. I got it. I completely understand those points of view. I've seen other postings on these boards that already said that to the point of being completely rude.

Some posts are well-meaning, and some are just "because I wouldn't do it." I have lived in Korea. I understand how things work. I never said it would be a walk in the park. That is why I'm looking for advice on how to do it, not if I should do it.

It's like this, we all know blacks have a hard time in Korea. Not fair, but it's true. But do we tell them to just give up, and stay home?

As things are in the States, unemployment is up, a single mom needs child care which is beyond expensive now. Crime is going up. Cost of living is going up. Just because one thing might not be easy, doesn't mean the other way is easier.

[seoulsucker]

Don't forget, Korea is about 50 years behind the Western world when it comes to socially dealing with single-parent families.

You will constantly be asked/reminded about that, and more times than not it will play against you.

[ttompatz]

[Carla]

Seoulsucker - I know. I live in the south in an extremely asian area. But some extremely vague comment about losing a husband will put most minds at ease.

Ttompatz - Thanks, lots of useful information. I am really hoping that I don't have issues with the insurance as some people do. I've never personally met anyone with that issue, but I see people on this board who have. And yes, a Korean woman would have a much worse time being a single mom in her own country. From what I can tell in Asia, American women are classified as women, they are American. A new set of rules.

[Faunaki]

Why don't you move to Canada? Western Canada needs workers like crazy. You could get a job no problem, plus health care is free and you will be given tax breaks for your child as a single mother. You will also be treated very well and will be given all the support you need.

Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg. These centers are trying to attract workers.

[Carla]

Canada. Interesting thought, but I really hate the cold and SK is as bad as I can handle it.

Main thing also is that I don't know Canada. I know Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. Japan is too expensive, and my Vietnamese is absolutely horrible. I know Seoul.

[Tjames426]

the kid would probably be fine, unless you leave him alone with Korean children.

Many years ago, an American family wanted their kid to interact with some Chinese kids in order to learn Chinese. A few times a week, the kid would come home beaten up and crying.

The parents talked to the school and their handler about it. The handler said bluntly, "What do you expect, the kid is a foreigner."

***

[polonius]

Carla,

My wife and I have a one year old in Korea. We are all three Canadian. I can certainly tell you that there are many difficult times here, and that is even with my wife staying at home taking care of the boy.

If I were you, I would stay away from evening work. If you can, get a public school job, you won't have any trouble getting one. You could also work at a kindy hagwon, but if that is the case, make sure that you personally talk to some of the teachers there to make sure that it is on the up. If you go the kindy route, you could enrol your son in the program, or maybe make an agreement that the tuition be part of your contract.

I know there are a few expats here with kids, and some have 3 yrs olds. I would try networking with them before you come via this board and others to find out where they are in Seoul, so you could be near them. Traveling 1 hr for an hr play time can be a lot. Just packing up the boy can be a process.

Hope it all works out for you.

[Carla]

Thanks polonius, free tuition is definately on the agenda.

[crossmr]

if you plan on staying in korea for a long time, with your child only being 3, he might speak korean very well by the time he enters school
It might actually be no problem for him by the time he enters grade 1. Young children can pick up languages very quickly when immersed.