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luckysharms
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
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 Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject: Teaching opportunities for non-whites? |
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I'm a fourth year social work student and I'll be graduating in early June. I've wanted to teach abroad for the past few years and I recently started to read posts about racism and issues getting teaching positions in Korea. My mother is Canadian (white) and my father is from India, so I myself am quite tanned looking. I might not look Indian per se, but I'm certainly not white. My question is, will this be an issue for me? I've been planning to apply for teaching positions in Korea with my girlfriend (who is white), but I'm concerned that my skin tone might be an issue. I don't have an accent or anything - I'm a coconut (brown on the outside, white on the inside)  . If anyone could give me an idea of whether or not this will impact my chances I'd really appreciate it. Also, any advice on where I should apply would be great.
Thanks in advance. |
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mayorgc
Joined: 19 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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Public schools will pretty much accept anybody with a degree. I'm Chinese and I haven't really had any problems at all.
The bigger issue is the fact that you're coming with the girlfriend. But that's another issue altogether. |
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luckysharms
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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| mayorgc wrote: |
| The bigger issue is the fact that you're coming with the girlfriend. But that's another issue altogether. |
I'm glad to hear that race wont be an issue, but how is going with my girlfriend going to be a bigger issue? I've read quite a few job postings for couples, are they just not as common? |
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mayorgc
Joined: 19 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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I may be wrong, but I assumed that couple positions were for married couples. I think you can come over and pretend you are married though. From the little that I've read, it might be difficult to coordinate your school and apt situation with your gf's school (I'm assuming your GF is gonna work as well).
People who have come over as a couple will be able to better answer that question.
Another problem is if you guys seperate while you're over here. Might get messy. |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| I've known a number of teachers here that are 'tanned' (ok, downright brown), and they had very few issues. |
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GreenlightmeansGO
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Location: Daegu
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I have been told that the term 'non-white' is racist. |
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luckysharms
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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| GreenlightmeansGO wrote: |
| I have been told that the term 'non-white' is racist. |
Unfortunately it's damn near impossible to make a statement about skin tone without being a "racist". I'm a half-breed so I'm not too concerned. |
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Chet Wautlands
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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I'm non-black. That sounds a lot more racist!
Assuming you go through recruiters, make sure you mention that you and your girlfriend are looking to work in the same city (or neighborhood if it's a big city like Seoul or Busan). It's probably a safer bet to get two apartments. You may only use one, but it's nice to have both. While you might get a bigger apartment because there are two of you, you might not. Devils in the details and all that. |
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zeldalee13
Joined: 08 Nov 2008
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 12:38 am Post subject: |
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| luckysharms wrote: |
| mayorgc wrote: |
| The bigger issue is the fact that you're coming with the girlfriend. But that's another issue altogether. |
I'm glad to hear that race wont be an issue, but how is going with my girlfriend going to be a bigger issue? I've read quite a few job postings for couples, are they just not as common? |
Positions for couples usually imply marriage, it depends on the school. Nevertheless, this may create some issues with coworkers if you choose to cohabitate.
In my experience (Seoul), outside the workplace there is little overt discrimination, but the more subtle forms (stares, increased personal space, and obvious talking about you in front of you) can get to people. The same goes for anybody who is different (interracial couples, overweight people, people with adopted children). I would just be prepared just in case, but it's possible it might never happen to you. |
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luckysharms
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:23 am Post subject: |
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| We've been together for over four years now and I was planning on proposing sometime soon anyways. Would it be a better idea to get married before we go? |
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GreenlightmeansGO
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Location: Daegu
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:34 am Post subject: |
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| luckysharms wrote: |
| GreenlightmeansGO wrote: |
| I have been told that the term 'non-white' is racist. |
Unfortunately it's damn near impossible to make a statement about skin tone without being a "racist". I'm a half-breed so I'm not too concerned. |
I've been chastised for this choice of words. I didn't see what the problem was, as we were talking specifically about policies that involved people that weren't white. I was told that it is insulting to be classified as what you are not, as the ideology involves thinking that white people are superior.
I do not feel that such a belief is implicit in the term. |
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luckysharms
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:05 am Post subject: |
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| GreenlightmeansGO wrote: |
I've been chastised for this choice of words. I didn't see what the problem was, as we were talking specifically about policies that involved people that weren't white. I was told that it is insulting to be classified as what you are not, as the ideology involves thinking that white people are superior.
I do not feel that such a belief is implicit in the term. |
I wouldn't be too concerned. As a "non-white" myself, I certainly wouldn't take offense to it. Certain people are just too sensitive... And with regards to "non-white" meaning white people are superior - they're reading too much into things. |
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cck3000
Joined: 24 Dec 2008
Location: Yeosu, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:01 am Post subject: |
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| Im a black American and I have had a very good experience so far..I live in what is considered a small city and I get stares but you get used to it. |
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logan2003
Joined: 20 May 2003
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| Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah me too black American here too. Stop with the non white, and whitie statements. In Reality waeguks well we are all in the same boat really. I have been here for over a decade, and...I am not a solider.
Your Canadian. You can get a job. It will not be as easy as say a white Canadian. However, once you get that job....work hard.
I have been here for over 10 years...worked for me!
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