Korean Job Discussion Forums

[afsjesse]

I'm seeking some advice about what you would do in my situation.

Background.

50,000 USD in student loans.
434 USD monthly payment
Spanish degree

Dilemma.

OK so I like teaching. I have been in Korea for over one year and am in my 2nd year with EPIK at the moment. I am going to continue teaching English for a few more years and because of this I am going to get my CELTA in either Thailand or the Czech Republic. This will be in October.

What I want to know is where else can I work that pays enough money for me to live decently and still pay my bills? Korea is obviously the best choice. I've heard Japan is way too expensive because it doesn't include housing etc. Some have mentioned Taiwan even China? (claiming it pays 2k) I have not seen these Chinese jobs anywhere. I have looked into going to Turkey where I can earn about 1700-2k with housing included.

What are your thoughts? I like korea but i want to be somewhere else for sometime. What ya think?

[I'm no Picasso]

Can't offer any advice, as this is my first EFL gig and I haven't really looked into anything else, except I've heard the same as you about Japan, and the opposite as you about China.

Anyway, good luck man. Be sure to let us know if you happen to stumble upon the EFL promised land in your ventures.

[Tobias]

I don't know if you can get a job in the EU if you're from the USA, but a job in Spain may be a good fetch for you. At least you'd be putting the degree to work.

Damn. 50 THOUSAND in student loan debt? What happened to the Pell Grant? Those are still available, right? Korea is a sort of 'filling station' for American banks, apparently. You got massive student loan debt to pay, no viable degree, and are a designated loser in the USA, you come to Korea. TESOL teachers here are like migrating birds.

There is a reason student loans are GUARANTEED, boys and girls. Banks are smart enough to know most people's insane investments in a college degree won't pay off. I knew this from day one of my freshman year. My student debt topped out at about 7500 greenbacks. I had it easily paid off in 6 months, and I didn't need Korea to get it paid off.

[afsjesse]

To make a long story short, I studied abroad for one year and that cost me a few G's. I paid some credit card debt off and then the costs of living and attending school in the states.

[aka Dave]

Well, I made 45k starting pay teaching Spanish in public high schools, and I was a French major (with a lot of grad school- 4 1/2 years, so that bumped my pay). But you'd at least start 30k plus plus good benefits, so if you really want the money, you'd do better teaching Spanish in the States (I'm assuming you're American).

However, the job can be super stressful. Upside is about 4 months plus vacation. They need warm bodies in California, still, but it's' not a job I'd go back to.

[afsjesse]

I have no teaching degree.

[Provence]

[jillbean1217]

[delirium]

[Draz]

[English Matt]

I wouldn't advise moving to Spain, given that it's economy was driven by a housing bubble (like the UK) and is therefore contracting sharply at the moment. I think the salaries you've posted for Turkey are way at the high end of the spectrum, although it is true about the free housing (in some cases, not all however, and the quality I think will be lower than here....if you go for a big city like Istanbul where rents are high).

I think Turkey would be a cool place to live (as Draz said), and in many ways a more fulfilling place to live than here, however, just as with Korea, I hear the private institutes there are just as prone to rip you off. Throw in the lack of paid airfare, visa complications, and no severance pay and (I hate to say it) but I think you may well be better off (from a financial standpoint) in staying in Korea for a while longer. If you're not entirely happy with your situation, it may be easier to move to Seoul...not Turkey but at least a little more diversity and variety than being out in the sticks.

Don't rule out Turkey though....I may be wrong. Check out the Turkey forum here on Dave's if you haven't already.

Good luck

[afsjesse]

Thank's for the replies everyone. I enjoyed reading them. As for the viable degree comment. It's true that I could go into translation or interpretation, but that's not my overall goal. I am going to go to grad school within the next few years, but am going to pay off atleast 1/2 of my debt.

I wasn't one of these college grads that came over here on a whim of desperation like most others do. I came to Korea for an adventure and to save money, in which I am doing. I am fine with living in Korea but like on other poster said, I am seeking more variety.

This is my second year here and I am in the boondocks. I am concerned about working in Seoul because I wouldn't make as much. I make 2.4 with EPIK where I am. In SMOE I think I would only get 2 or 2.1.

Do any of you more experienced posters think that taking a few months off and getting my CELTA in Thailand would be a good idea? This would bump me up to a Level 1 in most programs because of my 2 years experience. Or should I just keep climbing up the chain one year at a time?

I'm located in Gyeongbuk which is pretty much deadwater as far as life goes. Atleast where I am. I really want to go to Gangwondo, but I wouldnt level up and thats the main concern. I'm a level 2 GET at the moment.

Again, thanks for the treasure trove of information. I'll look into the teaching thing. I heard of Teach for America. Thoughts?

[Tobias]

[Godhasbeengoodtome]

There are jobs in shanghai that pay more than 2 grand a month. Google and you'll find them, I did.

Turkey is good if you have a celta. You can get good pay at a university and live nice. Better culture there too.

Middle east also has good paying jobs for celtas with 2 years experience.

[Godhasbeengoodtome]

Hi,
With a degree in Spanish, you can easily get a job teaching in Texas under an alternative certification program. There is an online one you can start here and then go to TX and take the content test for a bilingual elementary position then it would be fairly easy for you to get a job in DFW or Houston or a border city. Pay starts at 44k with bonus.

Tx is in need of bilingual teachers and would hire you.