Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Suwon4AGT]

It's amazing what a person can get to, isn't it?

I've been in my current contract (kindie hagwon in the "sticks" area in Suwon) for 6 months (first-timer) and I think I've experienced all of the emotions that your typical newbie American would. I've had many days where I was walking to work, walking by the bus stop that would get me to the Suwon Station, where I could catch the limo bus to the Incheon int'l airport, get on that plane and go home. Yet every working day, I keep forging ahead to that job of mine.

The job neither gets easier or harder. Every day, every week, there always seems to be something to deal with. But I manage to get through the day, my bank account gets a little better each month, I'm able to pay down my credit card debt a little each month. And hey, I have a job, a place to live, and I don't have to starve.

I remember how dire my financial situation was before I came here in March. I had just graduated with my MS in Education, but no job prospects, no money to relocate in the U.S., a dying car, several thousands in credit card debt. And I had just got the contract for my hagwon job on the same day that my 10 hour a week job was terminated (lack of work) and only 2 weeks away from not having a roof over my head.

I would love nothing more than to return to my country. I love America. But, I'm in that weird spot, where I really don't wish to stay in Korea beyond my contract, but for the first time, I'm starting to believe that the U.S. economy is years, not months away from recovering.

I'm sure a lot of people here in this forum can relate. I don't wish to become a lifer in Korea, but going home now or even in 6 months would mean the likelihood of putting myself right back in the same financial situation I was when I left. I can just see it. Going home, no jobs, rapidly depleting all of the savings I have worked my butt off for in the past year. The cost of housing, food, all of it.

If you are going through a similar experience, I'd like to hear it. And Asmith (no flame or callout intended), let's not start another gloom and doom thing this time. A lot of people are dealing with this dilemna. It would be nice to have a rational and maybe even productive discussion about this issue.

[Cartman]

I'm from Canada and when I talk to my ex work colleagues they keep naming more and more people who are getting laid off work - we're talking positions of all sorts... some have even said "you picked the perfect time to leave this country!"

I'm still too new here in Seoul to judge, but I wonder how long it will take before I get bored of the life here too. The only thing I miss is general conversations with random people - it's hard to communicate if you don't know the language. My repertoire of basic expressions: "hello, goodbye, thank you, I'm sorry, Have a nice day, etc etc" just don't seem to cut it.. LOL. Now I just listen to my iPod everywhere I go and zone out like all the Koreans do anyway... so it's all good.

Definitely not in a hurry to return home, b/c there's no job waiting for me there... and I truly believe that things will get a lot worse for the next few years (with many ups and downs in between)

How's life in Suwon?

[poeticjustice]

I can relate, but think about staying a second year. Why?

Because you've been here long enough to know the good apart from the bad and you probably have an exact idea of what a better English teaching job would look like. Imagine living here and working here at a job you can stand. Would you like Korea more then?

Something to think about.

PS. Suwon is the sticks? Since when?

Its a huge city!

[lorenchristopher]

OP: Do you work out? How many Korean friends do you have? Are you studying Korean or doing anything productive (that you enjoy) in your spare time?

Not trying to insinuate anything at all; I'm just genuinely curious.

[nfld_chingu]

I was working 2 jobs in Canada, around 40-50 hours a week and I hated both of my jobs. I am making about the same amount of money now in Korea working 30 hours a week and I like my job a lot better.
That being said, I left Canada to get away from my problems but it seems that they are magnified in Korea. You know the saying, wherever you go there you are. I guess you can't run away with your problems so now I am going to have to deal with them.
Also, there is a huge staff of teachers at my school (foreign as well as Korean) and none of them seem particularly interested in being friends with me or even talking to me. I don't have very many friends, and I miss my friends back home. It's very lonely right now but I have another 11 months to go so I am going to work on improving my situation.

[Cartman]

nfld_chingu - it seems a lot of the teachers already at a school are already quite 'cliquey' - almost like highschool. Good riddance to them anyway - do your own thing... let them wonder what you do on the weekends.. better to not mix your work colleagues with drinking/socializing pals anyway... it cuts down on all the stupid gossip that always exists in the workplace...

[nfld_chingu]

Yeah you�re right � it is a little bit cliquey. Most of them seem like nice people but I guess they don�t feel obligated to try and befriend me and I understand that. I�m really shy too, which doesn�t help. They might think I�m unfriendly � and I�m not new to Korea so maybe they think I don�t need any help with anything or any social invites, etc.
I mostly hang out with 4 or 5 teachers from my last hagwon � and I spend a lot of time on my own. I go to a lot of clubs on the weekend (usually alone) and I meet new people that way. I�ve actually befriended a lot of the bartenders in the downtown area, which somebody told me is a bit sad. Maybe it is �

[asmith]

Life's been pretty good.

[saw6436]

starting my 11th years in October. Life is pretty good.

[the_beaver]

Life in Korea is great.

[Suwon4AGT]

[Suwon4AGT]

[Juregen]

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

Have you considered teaching in another country?

[Suwon4AGT]