Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chiseal]

Yes, I know, do my research, talk to teachers. However, it seems I am only hearing nightmare stories about Korea, so now I have this impression that I should not go not matter what because, seemingly, the situation has gotten horrible. I would honestly like to hear some good news about this possible trip -- if anyone has any.

It's true about the economy and that many are going because there are not jobs, but I was on my way to Korea two years ago when I decided I could not in good conscience take my dog with me. He is now in pup heaven.

If the schools generally pay the same, why would people not be driven to medium to smaller cities to counter the high cost of living in the larger cities?

I'm staying away from Busan and Seoul anyway (too much competition and I am "older") and looking for a nice city elsewhere. I am an American Buddhist, former hippie turned journalist. Any thoughts? Really, is China just a better choice?

Cheers ... Colleen

[whiteshoes]

I love it here. I've got a great Hagwon in a nice city.

Since I have a good working situation I don't spend every free second complaining on Dave's.

[okayden223]

Hey Colleen,

First off, this is where most people come to vent. There is a ton of useful information here but there's also a lot of people expressing their frustrations. Make no mistake, Korea can be a very frustrating place to live. But why would so many have decided to come over in the first place? Many people have stayed for multiple years. You make the conscious decision to immerse yourself in this culture whether you like it or not when you come over. Koreans work too much, they don't place the same emphasis on leisure as the West, they cram families into expensive and often tiny apartments. The country has a long sad history of being victimized by other nations and so there exists a mistrust of foreigners among some parts of the population. The media has been used as a platform for sensationalism. The emphasis on the individual, while growing, still pales in comparison to the overall good of the group. With all of this being said, I've found most Koreans to be very kind and helpful. If someone doesn't speak with you it's probably because they doubt their English ability and most foreigners (well English teachers anyway) don't really make much of an effort to figure out more than the formalities when speaking Korean. It is an extremely safe country with no drugs, very little violent crime compared to the North America and Europe, and a cheap and efficient public transportation system. The food is excellent, in my opinion, and I genuinely enjoyed teaching most of my students. Not all experiences will be the same...yes there are some liars, cheaters, and racists...I happen to have met a few of them back home as well. Please don't base everything you think about Korea on what you read here. I'd say most ESL teachers don't look at this site at all. I'd be happy to do my best to answer any questions you might have. PM me if you want to run anything by me.

[Karea]

Funnily enough, I was thinking about making a similar thread to this.

After several weeks of searching through endless forums, blogs etc. etc. It appears almost everyone hates living and working in Korea as the vast majority of first hand information is negative.

It kind of makes newbies feel a bit down.

Only the recruiters seem to have positive things to say.........

Where is the love?

[buildbyflying]

if you're making ethical stands on behalf of your pup, I'd be inclined to say that your sensibilities aren't sufficiently hardened to travel outside of the first world.

chances are a year in korea would be difficult. it could be the worst year of your life. but if you can find grace in that, then the world's your oyster. have fun.

[VanIslander]

[Goku]

Actually, Most of the people I talk who love Korea have never heard of this forum.

There are a lot of us that love Korea. I found my girlfriend/ soul-mate, I have a job that's... somewhat satisfying (when the kids aren't demons). I have good friends. And plenty of free time. I can eat whatever I want at any time. And I get to watch TV, workout and go to a spa when I want.

Compared to back home, I was working my ass off to barely pay the bills and I had headaches up the wazoo. The job is harder and the worst is your boss ALWAYS breathing down your neck. But in Korea, for the majority the boss pretty much leaves you to your own devices. Occasionly they'll purposely complain about you, but it's not as bad as the home country.

I mean, this is pretty much existence of a god. It's great here compared to home sometimes ^_^

I mean, why else do so many people renew and stay here for years? Korea has a lot to offer

[Trevor]

The smartest thing I ever did was to come over to Korea for the first time for a five week "winter camp". I figured no matter how bad it was, it was only five weeks and I could stand on my head for that period of time...

Needless to say, I stood on my head for five weeks, BUT while I was here I interviewed at a fantastic school who would not have hired me if I had not presented myself in person. My time here has been overwehlmingly positive (despite some serious drawbacks) and for the first time in my life I have a little bit of money saved.

I think it is important to get off on the right foot. The best way to do that is to interview in person, talk to the other foreigners and make ABSOLUTELY certain that it is a reputable school that treats staff fairly.

And let me clear up a myth. It is not only foreign staff that gets mistreated. Bad schools also treat their Korean staff poorly. Generally, good schools treat everybody nicely. Also, don't forget the public school route. Age will not be a problem in a PS as long as you can pass a physical.

Another piece of advice that I promise will pay dividends: get a professional photograph taken at a photo shop for your resume. Wear business attire or at least dress smartly for the picture. They prefer skinny foreigners (yes, I know it's ridiculous) so if you are overweight wear something black. And SMILE.

[Chiseal]

[Chiseal]

[okayden223]

Hey Colleen I PM'd you. I know you can't send them until you hit 25 posts, but I'm unaware of whether or not you can receive them before that number. Also...uh..about the animals thing...you know that dog is served at some restaurants here right?

[andrewchon]

As a buddhist you'd understand that happiness is what you make of it.

Dave's does attract people who wants to 'vent' because it's hard to find who'll listen to your gripes. Many of us are isolated. NETs can't form a ghetto (might be possible in Seoul) because schools are mostly as far apart as possible.

Most of the foreign teachers are 'content'. Satisfied people don't go around and tell everyone "I'm satisfied, are you?".

I think the newbie's unhappiness generally stems from:
1. Korea is not a hand shake and "welcome to the neighbourhood" kind of society. Magarette Mead going to south Pacific islands and being welcomed into a tribe of primitives is not going to happen here.
2. Language barrier: speaking slow and baby talk doesn't make a foreign language anymore understandable.
3. For English speaking people, the experience of being a 'wog' is a fairly unusual phenomenon. To them a wog is someone who can't speak English. The directions of migration in the 20th century has been that way, hasn't it? Consequence is that in English speaking cultures the mechanisms of coping as a wog is sorely lacking. Plenty of know-how in subjugating the natives though. When a wog tries to subjugate: it's a not a pretty sight. It's not pretty in USA, England or Australia or anywhere English speakers consider 'civilized'. It's not pretty in Korea, either.
4. Intellectual challenge: Why do Korea demand college degree and TESOL certs when it's not going to be used in teaching? There are reasons but never mind that. NETs who spent time and money getting the credentials to get the job want intellectual satisfaction. Teacher wannabes are also usually were above average students. They like to study! Come to Korea and nothing like "Mr Holland's Opus" happens. It's just so mind numbing for the people who are competitive athletes in academic paper writing.
5. Sex life, or lack there of: Some, unfortunately come to Korea believing every word of bragging from bagel-masters. Korea is not going to turn I-get-no-sexuals into 'lifestyles of over-sexed and shagged-out'. I thought down-under was prude, Korea is even more so. Sexual liberation hasn't happened here.

So, that's what I think is part of problem of ESL in Korea. Careful, I burn easily.

[Julius]

If having a good experience was your No. 1 priority, then I'd say there are many other countries that are more-foreign friendly and less frustrating to live in.

it is possible to enjoy Korea of course. But it seems to require a lot more out of a person.
To enjoy Thailand, for example, all you have to do is pitch up. Korea on the other hand takes serious time and effort. Its a minority, a special kind of person that is able to survive and thrive out here. This country has no mass appeal, but a few do actually find their niche here.

[blackjack]

People that are happy don't post about how happy they are, or even that there isn't any problems.

You don't post,

My day today.

Got up, hit the gym then went to work (half an hour late but no one really cares). Had lunch at school, chicken, some type of soup, some veges and kimchi. Taught my five classes and was home 5 hours later. I went to the supermarket. Cooked dinner then cleaned my apartment. Played some xbox. Then went to hapkido and had my shoulder dislocated by the master (poped back in has happened before). I am now having a beer and drying to decide what movie to watch.

no bosses trying to rip me off
no body attacking me in the street
didn't notice anyone staring at me
I wasn't refused custom anywhere (infact my local shop keeper commented about how much bigger round the shoulders I am a bit touchy feely but he has always been that way).

Life here can be stressful (too many people here) but most people are generally helpful and nice. There are some not so nice people but that goes the same for everywhere.

I would not let this site put you off coming, but do take advice from here. There is a lot of good information here

Finally be aware that small cities are quite different here than back home, it's more like going back in time than living in a smaller place and I think you won't find it too much cheaper.

[Straphanger]