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Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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ms.catbc
Joined: 11 Jan 2008
Location: Ilsan
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 Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject: Getting married |
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I just want to announce a positive message on this board
I am an elementary teacher. i went to Korea over a year ago to teach English and had an amazing time (regardless of what others might�have you think on this board). I fell in love with a Korean man who is fantastic and brilliant beyond belief. We are happy and living in Canada right now. I loved teaching in Korea! as a teacher, having parents actually care about their kid's education was magic to me!
Everyone who comes to this website has to realize that they can live whatever life they want to live. You can teach abroad and enjoy teaching and traveling and learning about the world you live in. you can think positively about the life you are living. you can have many adventures and share them with others here and beyond.
or...you can think negatively, make sweeping judgments about an entire culture or way of life without even realizing the faults of your own. You can be an asshole basically...if you want to
it's up to you |
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Konglishman
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Nanjing
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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First of all, congratulations on finding the love of your life. That, in itself, is a big accomplishment.
Now, unless I am mistaken, you have a bit of a negative impression with regards to this forum. Certainly, it is true that many posters come here to vent about negative experiences they have had. And for example, can you blame someone for being upset about being fired during their 11th month of employment because the hagwon boss did want to pay the severance? (Note that this has never happened to me, but I had heard about it happening to many people.)
Regrettably, Korea is a nation where due to Confucian values, the boss sometimes goes too far in using his or her power over the employees. I suppose that does sound a little dramatic, but nonetheless, I do think it is true. So, when a foreigner, who is not 100% familiar with the culture and language, comes to Korea for work, I think some bosses see it as an opportunity to get away with more in terms of wielding their power.
Personally, all in all, I think that English teachers and professors, have it pretty good in Korea. I do, however, feel very sorry for the 3D foreign workers who for example, sometimes lose fingers in the factories and get no compensation.
As for the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, I absolutely agree with you. I suspect that most people on this forum will also agree with you on that point. However, again, you should understand some people from time to time, feel the need to vent about some frustrations that they have encountered.
Last edited by Konglishman on Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:31 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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gakduki
Joined: 16 Jul 2009
Location: Passed out on line 2 going in circles
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Congradulations, sounds like your still in the honeymoon phase. Good luck with the rest of it. |
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jamesteacho
Joined: 11 Jun 2009
Location: Non of your business/somewhere in shibuya Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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| gakduki wrote: |
| Congradulations, sounds like your still in the honeymoon phase. Good luck with the rest of it. |
that goes for all relationships and marriages silly  |
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jamesteacho
Joined: 11 Jun 2009
Location: Non of your business/somewhere in shibuya Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Konglishman wrote: |
First of all, congratulations on finding the love of your life. That, in itself, is a big accomplishment.
Now, unless I am mistaken, you have a bit of a negative impression with regards to this forum. Certainly, it is true that many posters come here to vent about negative experiences they have had. And for example, can you blame someone for being upset about being fired during their 11th month of employment because the hagwon boss did want to pay the severance? (Note that this has never happened to me, but I had heard about it happening to many people.)
Regrettably, Korea is a nation where due to Confucian values, the boss sometimes goes too far in using his or her power over the employees. I suppose that does sound a little dramatic, but nonetheless, I do think it is true. So, when a foreigner, who is not 100% familiar with the culture and language, comes to Korea for work, I think some bosses see it as an opportunity to get away with more in terms of wielding their power.
Personally, all in all, I think that English teachers and professors, have it pretty good in Korea. I do, however, feel very sorry for the 3D foreign workers who for example, sometimes lose fingers in the factories and get no compensation.
As for the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, I absolutely agree with you. I suspect that most people on this forum will also agree with you on that point. However, again, you should understand some people from time to time, feel the need to vent about some frustrations that they have encountered. |
You're right no one can say anything about midnight running because it is the "right thing" to do.
you people living as minorities should get all the attention and care needed by the local, while minorities in the west are considered subhuman while trying their hardest fit into the society while even denying their own root. foreigners in Asia complain about everything left and right while not even bothering to adopt and learn the culture and the language.
why do you need to be babyed all the time? gee having a passport and being able to speak English is such an incredible accomplishment hahaha
I know reality hurts. Thank god my profession isn't baby sitting high schoolers and middle schoolers who can't understand a lick of whats comming out of my mouth although i work as an intern and tutor english while participating in a research/studying in japan
what a profession you have im sure you're very proud of your self
btw congrats to OP hope you get along with your hubby alright. didn't get along with my ex very well but im happy to be with someone i can actually communicate with for god sakes no offense OP good luck
Last edited by jamesteacho on Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:44 pm; edited 4 times in total |
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blue.sky
Joined: 31 Aug 2009
Location: a box on the 15th floor
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:38 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats
Were you dating while in Korea? I'm wondering how you found people's responses to you - being that more rare interracial couple in Korea: A Korean man with a western (assuming you are) girlfriend?
And what about the big "parents" issue? |
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madoka
Joined: 27 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Congradulations on finding your love! |
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Konglishman
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Nanjing
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:41 am Post subject: |
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| jamesteacho wrote: |
| Konglishman wrote: |
First of all, congratulations on finding the love of your life. That, in itself, is a big accomplishment.
Now, unless I am mistaken, you have a bit of a negative impression with regards to this forum. Certainly, it is true that many posters come here to vent about negative experiences they have had. And for example, can you blame someone for being upset about being fired during their 11th month of employment because the hagwon boss did want to pay the severance? (Note that this has never happened to me, but I had heard about it happening to many people.)
Regrettably, Korea is a nation where due to Confucian values, the boss sometimes goes too far in using his or her power over the employees. I suppose that does sound a little dramatic, but nonetheless, I do think it is true. So, when a foreigner, who is not 100% familiar with the culture and language, comes to Korea for work, I think some bosses see it as an opportunity to get away with more in terms of wielding their power.
Personally, all in all, I think that English teachers and professors, have it pretty good in Korea. I do, however, feel very sorry for the 3D foreign workers who for example, sometimes lose fingers in the factories and get no compensation.
As for the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, I absolutely agree with you. I suspect that most people on this forum will also agree with you on that point. However, again, you should understand some people from time to time, feel the need to vent about some frustrations that they have encountered. |
You're right no one can say anything about midnight running because it is the "right thing" to do.
White people living as minorities should get all the attention and care needed by the local, while minorities in white dominant nations should be totally ignored while trying to act as white in order to fit in while foreigners in Asia complain about everything left and right while not even bothering to adopt and learn the culture and the language.
why do you need to be babyed all the time? gee having a passport and being able to speak English is such an incredible accomplishment hahaha
I know reality hurts. Thank god my profession isn't baby sitting high schoolers and middle schoolers who can't understand a lick of whats comming out of my mouth although i work as an intern and tutor english while participating in a research/studying in japan
what a profession you have im sure you're very proud of your self |
First of all, it sounds like you are reading too much into what I wrote. For one thing, I have always cared about minority rights. Even though I am white, I have always counted Martin Luther King Jr. as one of my heroes. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a wide variety of friends and do not care about whether someone is white, black, Asian, etc. Also, while I was an undergraduate, a lot of the international students were friends with me. If any of them needed a ride into town (our college was a little isolated), I was always happy to give them a ride.
Certainly, I agree that more foreigners need to learn the culture and language of Korea. I, for one, have made a reasonable effort although I am far from being fluent in the language. However, at the end of the day, this should not be a reason to justify work contracts not being honored by the boss. I think that since you are not in Korea, you have a poor understanding at best of the day to day work life there.
Incidentally, while I was working on my master's degree, I did have a Japanese girlfriend who was studying English in the USA. Later on, after I had earned my M.S., I decided to get back in touch with her. At that time, she had gotten a job in Korea as an airline attendant. On a whim, I decided to go to Korea and work as an English teacher. Actually, she tried to warn me that Korea was a difficult place for foreigners and suggested that I go to Japan instead. However, I had already made up my mind and went to Korea.
After I had worked there for 4 months as an English teacher, yes, I did become dissatisfied with my job, but mostly because I was not getting enough intellectual stimulation from it. Of course, I do not find fault with other people who have stayed on with being an English teacher, but I moved on and used my M.S. to get another job in Korea that did not involve teaching English. In fact, for two years, I taught my subject of expertise at an international school in Korea. Starting next year, I will be teaching my field at a Korean university. So, yes, I am quite proud of myself. |
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shaggy
Joined: 11 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:21 am Post subject: |
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| Good for you! I wish you the best in the future. It's nice to hear a woman did well in Asia. There are quite a few of us! |
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ms.catbc
Joined: 11 Jan 2008
Location: Ilsan
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:38 am Post subject: |
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Thank you everyone!
You know what, we did get stared at sometimes in Korea but not any more then I did when i was walking around by myself. We got stared at more in the Philippines...
No parents issue. They are happy for us and will be coming to Canada for the wedding. His mom already bought a new blanket for us, for when we return to Korea (almost three months from now).
I see that my post turned into a bit of a drunken rant...I will admit...I was drunk...
My intentions were to share a positive story. As with many forums there are a lot of postings that really upset me. Either it turns into a Korea bashing session. A western woman bashing session (apparently we are all fat feminists!) or a whining session.
I know that bad things happen sometimes and it is important to share those things and to warn people about different hagwons. I am also all about free speech. Just thought I would share some positive news... |
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:57 am Post subject: |
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| Congratulations. |
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He with Horns on Head
Joined: 19 Aug 2009
Location: Cybergoat farm
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:18 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah, congratulations on, uh, doing what people do? Even animals do it, so yeah, congrats on ya animalistic tendencies! w0w0w0w0w0w0w! |
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