Korean Job Discussion Forums

Injun · Joined: 18 Oct 2008 Location: PRC

I want to try Korea (I'm in China) but -- how bad is the financial recession in Korea for foreign teachers? Looks like you have disposable income...Thanks

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

The exchange rate sucks now, but if you want to live here for a few years it's worth it because the prices aren't usually high.

I am considering moving my money into education and using that get a better job back home in the states. At least I'll get the best bang for the won that way.

Auslegung · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Location: MB, SC

The average teacher gets paid 2-2.2 mil won/month, which is about 12,000RMB. That's a LOT more than you're getting paid, I'm sure. the cost of living, however, is low. The only expensive thing in Seoul is housing, which is nearly always provided by your employer. I've been paying less than W100,000/month for electricity, gas, maintenance, internet, and cell phone. W100,000 is about $80. I can eat a big meal for less than $5, and if I want to eat cheaply I can eat a meal for about $2. There are of course more expensive meals, you can definitely piss your money away, but there is a great potential for saving here.

This page as a good rundown of what most things cost: http://jmphry.googlepages.com/costs.

romano812 · Joined: 09 Dec 2008

Where and what are you eating? It's been a long time since I've seen cheap food in Korea.

Hamlet · Joined: 18 Mar 2008

air76 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007

thoreau · Joined: 21 Jun 2009

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princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

kingplaya4 · Joined: 14 May 2006

I'm not trolling, but seriously what isn't expensive here? You can't call kimbap and garbage bulgogi and the kimbap heaven a dinner anymore than you can live in America and say that you can get a full meal at McDonalds for $4 or $5.

Most esl teachers wear cheap clothes, have no car and no family or responsibilities besides student loans. I should add most are provided with a box for free. Quality of life is sacrificed for whatever money is saved.

That said, three years ago it was probably a mistake to come here, now I should be thanking my stars I have a job at all. But let's not kid ourselves, the only thing I can think of that's cheap here is taxis and taxes.

MissSeoul · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere in America

Auslegung · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Location: MB, SC

OK, we've clearly had multiple replies and everyone has a different experience, which holds true to: wherever you go, there you are. On top of that, how can you possibly compare McDonalds to GimBap CheonGuk? It is absolutely different quality of food. Granted, neither are ideal, but GBCG is a helluva lot better than Micky Dee's.

Three years ago was a mistake!? When the exchange rate was W800-->$1!? that's amazing! I'd kill to get paid almost $3000/month, instead of barely breaking $1700.

A small bag full of nothing may cost W31,000 in the middle of Gangnam, but almost anywhere, W31,000 can get you a long way, unless you buy crazy expensive $h!#. If you want to buy expensive stuff, fine, but don't confuse apples and oranges. I never said I could eat top-quality food for cheap prices; I said I could eat a decent meal for cheap (relatively).

Maybe you found a job for 12,000RMB a year ago, and you may have some great experience/qualifications, but with nothing to offer besides a crappy bachelor's, you are DEFINITELY not getting 12,000RMB. Maybe you can get that in the three big cities, but their price of living is going to be a lot more expensive than the rest of China. As one who has spent time in both Korea and China (as you have too, but have had a vastly different experience, or a lot of drugs), their price of living is comparable.

Teaching in Korea isn't perfect. I just spent the last 12 hours and W40,000 in drinks b!t#$ing and complaining about our jobs, but it could be worse. Hell, I've worked for MUCH worse in the past year, and smiled while doing it. If you're capable of handling some B.S., then work in Korea; if you're not, then don't.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

alphakennyone · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: city heights

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

js99 · Joined: 25 May 2009

In all honesty, I would hold off on coming to Korea right now. As you can see, the exchange rate is not that good for teachers here. Whereas, the Chinese Yuan is pegged right now at almost 6RMB to $1US, not to mention the cost of living as being alittle more than half of that of Korea, I'd say you have a better deal there for now.

Don't worry, the exchange rate "should" pick again soon, making it possible for teaching ESL in Korea to become a wise decision.