Korean Job Discussion Forums

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

So, if I'm going to work for $300 dollars a week, I'd prefer to do it somewhere warm and beautiful with a better quality of life.

What about you all? Where is everyone going now that it's no longer worth it to be here?

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

double

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

In September I'm heading to Taiwan! I'll be working harder and probably get less vacation, but atleast it'll be sub-tropical with palm trees. If their currency become toilet paper like Korea's, than I'm heading to Turkey!

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

If I were single I'd go to Thailand, Hong Kong, or China. I'm tired of the salary and work conditions in Korea. As is I'm going to Canada for more education. I figure investing in a career is investing in my family.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I'm 99% sure I won't jump ship, but I think it will still be impossible not to see what jobs in Japan are paying when it comes time to decide on contract renewal.

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

I'm thinking of Taiwan myself as it seems to be the most lucrative option right now, but Chile or Buenos Aires would be divine.

What's the deal with Turkey? China seems to be a popular choice but I've always thought living in China would be like living inside of a pinball machine...

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

Ahhhh mi Buenos Aires Querido!!!!

I had the pleasure of living in this paradise for 10 months is 2006. If you have no bills and don't mind making peanuts than by all means go there. Chile is rather expensive and you make peanuts as a teacher there.

Turkey pays relatively well in my opinion, I've seen ads for as much as 1700 USD per month with housing included. However they want a TEFL certification.

If you want more details on ESL in Argentina PM me as I have a contact there that might be able to help you.

Jesse

Robot_Teacher · Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Location: Robotting Around the World

Yes, it's running US $8.50 an hour for a 40 hour week with the won at 1610, but housing, flight, and paid vacation are offered on top of that. This is an entry level type of job, but what's strange, I see little or no upward mobility possible in this career field. It's like at home you become a retail sales person and you'll always be a low paid retail sales person until you quit or change profession. You have to burn your own trail, but the problem is it's illegal to be an entrepreneur in Asian countries such as doing privates in Korea or opening a business in Thailand catering to tourists unless of course, you're married to a citizen of the country you're striking out on your own in. It's the same at home, you have to start a business, invest in stocks, or real estate and then just get lucky that it all falls into place in your favor if you expect upward mobility from the peanut paying jobs. Problem is, a broke college grad or anyone making peanuts don't have money to invest.

Also the won may improve this Summer or sometime so you really don't know how much money you're making until you sell the won for your Dollars, Pounds, or Euros. I was hoping to save up 20K to 40K teaching a couple years over here so I could put a small business plan into place. Let's keep our fingers crossed the rate improves instead of continueing to go to hell in a hand basket.

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

Yo Jesse - We might be on the same flight! I have narrowed it down to Taiwan myself. I will be out of here in September, and I have exactly the same mentality. I know there will be more work, but it will be worth it! I don't want to deal with winter again. They are trying to devalue their currency too though. It has something to do with keeping their semiconductor industry competitive globally ..... sigh.

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

September 17th I'm outta here! Going to Kaioshing or whatever city that is down south. Supposed to be really nice. I have a friend who is there now and his pictures are nothing short of amazing. PM me if you want to talk about it.

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

Yeah, I will be out of here on Sept. 1. I am not sure if I will make a pit stop in Thailand en route or not yet. I will most likely be heading to Tainan which is about an hour north of where you are heading. I also have a friend (Taiwanese) who has sent me a lot of pictures. It sure is a lot easier on the eyes than looking out the window at my current situation.

I will shoot you a pm as the time approaches. I am doing quite a bit of research these days .....

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

I wish I didn't have any bills and could work for peanuts, I would be in Spain or South America in a flash.

Taiwan seems like a safe bet though, and better than Korea in terms of aesthetics.

I don't have much hope for the Won and have heard it's only going to get worse despite Korea's possibly regaining a surplus at the end of the year. It's better than it was in 1998, but may still be riskier than any other Asian market:

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13184631

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

I don't want to leave, especially not for somewhere tropical. Blazing sun and giant insects are not on my wish list. The won sucks but I'd rather work for peanuts here than anywhere else. The economy is bad everywhere, and I feel relatively secure here.

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

Draz, I should vote for you in the Best Avatar thread. Speaking of which, I need to get one.

Give me the heat over gloomy freezing rainy bs ANY day! I know a few Canadians here that don't feel the same way though... I also heard that Taiwanese culture is more open than Korean culture and there is less xenophobia and racism than in Korean culture. Dunno though.

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005