Korean Job Discussion Forums

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

I�ve been a member of Dave�s ESL Caf� community for a long while now; I�ve also been an EFL teacher for close to 5 years. Although many of you may feel that 5 years isn�t a long time when compared to some of the veterans here, I do feel as though I have put my time in. With that being said, I want to express my own views on the current economic situation which plagues a lot of us and concerns those wishing to teach in Korea. By no means is this post absolute as it is the mere opinion of one that has weighed the pros and cons of the current situation. I write this because I have noticed a lot of people talking about the declining Korean currency and discussing whether or not they should leave Korea or come.

There has been a pattern among posters to only view the salary an institution offers as the main factor by which decisions on whether or not to work in Korea are made. In a recent thread, I read someone comparing the salaried offered to him as �burger flipping money�. I say to that person, �yes, the salaries may not be what they used to be, but would you have the same quality of living back home flipping burgers as you would teaching English and living in Korea?� Many of us work is decent places where vacations are plentiful when compared to our home countries. The cost of living is still low despite inflation and mass transit resolves the issue of having to buy a car; owning a car would have an even greater affect on one�s pocket when you factor in insurance, gas, maintenance, and other costs associated with a car.

Some people come to Korea to just work their tails off and earn money. In those cases, it is blatantly obvious that money should be a key factor in making a decision. However, the majority of people in Korea, I believe, are not here just for the money. They are here for a decent lifestyle of living. Making 2 million Won a month or above places you smack-dab in the middle-class range. Don�t forget to factor in low medical costs, your bonus at the end of the year, which many of you would never have gotten back home at your past jobs or even at a �burger flipping place�, or even your free apartment.

Essentially, my goal in writing this post is to hopefully give people a different perspective of the life they can have in Korea. Don�t just think about the money (unless it is the ONLY thing that is important to you), think of the package you are being offered because that�s exactly what it is � a package. That isn�t to say everyone should work for a pittance. That�s not what I am trying to say at all. I am trying to say that salary shouldn�t be the only thing people look at when determining whether to work in Korea or not. Also, don�t believe all of the hype you read on this board or any other EFL board. If you do the homework yourself and not just take the first job that is dropped in front of you (trust me, there are A LOT of jobs out there), you really won�t have a serious problem in Korea. I always like to place my concerns about Korea and the WON in the grander scheme of things. In my case and when I do, they really aren�t that bad.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

The problem is that same view makes an even better argument for why one should go work in China.

samcheokguy · Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Location: Samcheok G-do

Korea is perhaps better when one doesn't have a dozen or so other countries to compare it to. Even after a short stint in France, and a year in Russia, and travels to 10 other countries, I can say Korea, at least rural Korea, is one of the most unfriendly places/ people on earth.
-People who are here to pay off debts, might be better served by focusing on getting a real career, one that doesn't bottom out in a few years.

markhan · Joined: 02 Aug 2006

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

I thought that MOST people came here because they had student loans to pay off, and Korea used to promise a lot of money to do that.

China pays more money (a lot of places now) due to the exchange rate. Of course, it's much more varied, as in some places you'll be dirt poor but others it's quite reasonable.

rac118 · Joined: 23 Feb 2009

John_ESL_White · Joined: 12 Nov 2008

NightSky · Joined: 19 Apr 2005

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

This is not addressed at anyone in paticular just something I have come to believe.

It is easy to think that just because you are a teacher you know everything and everyone else is just stupid just because they don't think the same way you do.

People need to make their own decisions. And, there are certain kinds of wisdom of life that have to be personally understood, not taught. In other words, people need to make their own choices and learn from experience.

People need to live thier own lives. You know if everyone was satisfied with the same things...I don't know...it would be a totalitarian world. We all have different personalities and like and dislike different things. You will be less frustrated if you just accept that.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I think it all depends on your situation.

I look at the won dump as a positive for a few reasons:

1. I am bringing money from the USA and earning 40%+ on it.
2. I know for a fact of at least 3 univs., including my own, that have had teachers up and leave -- some of them because of money issue. This means schools may raise pay to compensate, and jobs are easier to find.
3. Housing prices are dropping. We can't buy now, but maybe later.
4. The won will bounce back. At that time, I will probably move money again and earn on the exchange a 2nd time.

I am a long-timer here. If I were someone coming here for just a year, I would feel exactly the opposite, and probably choose China. I totally understand/feel for the short-timers in this country.