Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Looney]

do most of you work full time? or combine a bunch of part times?

I hold an F4 being half Korean and might go down the latter route as it surely makes more money? Currently in a PS, but with lack of afterschool classes and me being on the lower end of the salary scale ladder I could do with a bit more extra.

Perhaps afterschool in the afternoon with some adult classes in the morning/afternoon. Any of you do something similar? How much do you guys pull in each month? (yeah, I'll know i'll get some smart a$$ replies )

[bassexpander]

One of my friends off of this board has lived in Korea for over 10 years and pulls down a pretty good chunk working at multiple PT jobs. I'm not sure what he's making at this point, but I know from talking to many others that 5 million won per month is not unrealistic in such situations (it's almost commonplace). He might set up some company work in the early morning, followed by public school in the afternoon, and/or hagwon work in the evening. He can always come home to help his wife teach kiddies in their home-hagwon. He has a nice car, house, and has saved a fair chunk of change over the years.

He's got a hilarious story about causing a hagwon owner to lose face as he drove up and met him. The hagwon owner had a Hyundai POS Sonata or something, and my friend drove up in a $40,000 car. The hagwon owner kept looking for him, but said he couldn't see his car... my friend was like, "I'm right here!! The car in front of you!" The hagwon owner totally ignored the expensive new car sitting right in front of him, expecting the teacher would never own such a vehicle. Priceless story.

The thing is, however, that many F-visa types aren't interested in working their fingers to the bone. They're more interested in job satisfaction -- whether it be a public school, univ., or hagwon gig. Others just want to bust ass and make big coin. I'm cool with both -- people should be free to do what they want.

Some people love having free time to study for an MA, learn Korean, or be with their kids. I know you're not implying this, but just because someone is an F-visa holder does not mean that they're pulling down a huge chunk of change. A lot of them are in that 2.5 to 3.0 range that many others are in.

[Looney]

thanks for the reply Bass......interesting to hear the stories/views of others with F visas. Some people have told me I'm kinda wasting the advantages of my visa.....which I can agree with in part.

Any other views from other F series visa holders welcomed

[3MB]

Bass,

do YOU have an F series visa?

[agoodmouse]

Yes, he does. He married a Korean. He's got an F2 of some sort.

[3MB]

[Looney]

#bump#

[John_ESL_White]

business in the morning, early afternoon, hagwon, and then privates elem to uni till late night. A recipe for money and burn out.

Problems include: hard to schedule a vacation, hard to keep up with when privates owe you money, privates can cancel last minute, privates are spread out, hagown is, well, a hagwon, and burn-out...

Benefits include: a lot of money, you get to pick and choose your privates (if min-su doesn't want to learn english and can't get motivated, you tell his mom that you are leaving the country and can't teach him anymore), too busy to spend money, meet lots of interesting business types, and you can see a marked improvement with your small privates in a short amount of time...

[OneWayTraffic]

Yea 5 million plus is possible easy, if you're prepared to put the hours in. It depends on your contacts, your ability and your desire to bounce from job to job all day.

I get better than 5mil on a month where I work hard, but a lot less on some months due to the cyclical nature of some of my kinder jobs.

On the other hand I'm constantly on the go from 6am to 8pm when it's busy. Settle for a bit less money say 3-4 and it's a lot easier to have a life. I work my easy times as half vacations and try to recharge for when things pick up.

[3MB]

My record was 10 in a month, which was basically doing a bunch of camps and business stuff, weekend intensives and weekend hagwons in addition to a study room...but that kind of schedule is a killer. During non-vacation months 5 to 7 is more the norm, but these days Ive scaled back big time after about 2 years of insanity having repaid my debts. I wouldnt recommend it though for a long stretch, working from 7 in the morning till 10 at night Monday to Friday and on the weekends morning till evening isnt a fun life. However, if you grind it out then its more than worth it financially.

[Ilsanman]

I do 2 jobs. I could do a little more, but I need family and free time.

[bassexpander]

[Forward Observer]

It was a cute story, and there's nothing wrong with it.

I hold an F5 visa and I work 27 teaching hours per week at 50K/hr. Not difficult. You do the math.

[meangradin]

I want to form a group where fellow f visa holders can send their kids to practice their english skills; i want to call it "the little f'ers"

[3MB]