Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shostahoosier]

Can anyone tell me what the experience in Korea is generally like for African American teachers. Is it the same as other foreigners or is it worse?

I have almost zero experience with the Korean language and culture and I'm trying to do as much research as I can before I decide on the EPIK program.

[Otherside]

I've got plenty of black South African friends and aquantances working in Korea and for the most part they seem to be enjoying it.

As a side note. Whenver I go to GEPIK teacher meetings, the teachers who complain the most are almost exclusivly older African American women. I could take a guess why this is the case, but it would just be conjecture.

Perhaps just a coincidence, but my view is that if you are young, easy-going with a thick skin you'll be fine.

DCjames, all Koreans racist? I must be hanging out with the very small minority who aren't.

[Ut videam]

[Bibbitybop]

Hogwans are a business and white people attract customers, especially blond North American women. But public schools and a lot of universities don't care one bit. SMOE, for example, hires black people all the time. Now there will obstacles on the school level as most Koreans don't know anything except stereotypes. You will be considered a good basketball player and you might be asked to rap. But most of my black friends who came to Korea knew about the ignorance of other cultures here and didn't run into many problems. A few, however, were (and still are) unprepared to deal with stereotypes and take them too personally.

[KuroBara]

I haven't encountered any problems or sterotypes at my school, or in my city (Goyang) yet, but I've only been here about a month. There's been some staring and pointing, but that could be becaue I'm tall, black, fat, foreign or any of the above. Frankly, I stare at the foreigners at home too. I hate when kids laugh at me, but honestly that's only happened a few times, and I chalk it up to being fat again.

[Ninjaniki]

Im having a good time here. I havent had any problems with racism and the Korean people have been kind and helpful. They are curious about you but thats all. The kids love me! None of my black friends complain about racism, and we all live in Gyeonggi around Seoul. Dont listen to any discouraging remarks, just do your research like you are doing now and come with an open mind, and my guess is you will do just fine. Enjoy!

[DCJames]

[samcheokguy]

[Darashii]

I've had kids say racist things, but that's because parents say racist things. I think that's also why I lost after school classes.

I'm pretty cute, so I assume that they're taking in my beauty.

It's annoying when they get "startled".

I get a lot of "you're skin is beautiful" and people want to pet me.

As many people also think they can rub my color off.