Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BrassMonkey]

I figure people are more likely to come on to a forum and say something about their hagwon if they had a negative experience. In fact, I see a disproportionately high number of negative posts about working in Korea relative to how how many people I knew there who were fairly happy. I just returned home after an 18 month stint in a hagwon which went pretty well. Just felt like posting about that to, ya know, balance things out around here.

Some positives about my hagwon experience:

* I was paid my severance and final pay in full well before it was due. (In fact, the amount was rounded up slightly so I was paid a wee bit more than they owed me)

* I was always talked to with respect and felt valued.

* I was always paid on time, with the odd exception around public holidays which occasionally meant pay was delayed 24 hours.

* I had some great students who I will miss.

* I was invited to my supervisor's wedding.

* One of my colleagues would bring me home made lunches.

* My boss gave me a hug when I left and wished me all the best and said to contact him if I ever needed a reference.

* On my birthday my co-workers burst into my classroom with a cake and sang "happy birthday." I also received birthday presents from two of them (quite nice presents too!).

* I did not have to stick around and pretend to work when there was nothing to do. I frequently got to leave earlier than I was contractually obligated to.

Of course there were some negatives. Yes, the syllabus was not perfect. There was at one point a disagreement over money, though it was worked out amicably and in my favor. Yes, I would have liked a better apartment and less second guessing of my doctor's diagnoses the time I got sick as to weather or not I really was sick and needed the time off. And of course, some students aren't as easy to like as others!

But all in all, it was good. I'm glad I went to South Korea and taught English. It worked out well for me. It was a good learning experience, I met some great people and even with the exchange rate being less than it was I still saved a significant amount one converted to NZ dollars.

Good luck to the rest of you.

[afsjesse]

Glad it went well for you! Good luck on your future plans!

[hari seldon]

[Dodgy Al]

[Rusty Shackleford]

Guessing he is an NZer, so no. Maybe it will happen though. Aussie has an agreement now.

Anyways, good to hear you had a good experience.