Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lostintranslation100]

I'm 1/2 through my contract. When do you start the countdown to leaving? Any tricks to make time move faster?

[Cohiba]

I started it just after the halfway mark. That was thirteen years ago.

[Alaskaman]

Started mine at the 6 month mark. 5 years later with a wife and a second child on the way. Just started to think what's the point! More than likely a lifer unless things get better in the states.

[lostintranslation100]

I'm curious, when you lifers first came over here, did you have any idea that you would be staying? How often do you go home? Man, it must be tough being a lifer. Not tough because of the culture (thats cool if you like it), but by being so far away from home.

[Alaskaman]

I get home about once every couple of years. When I first came to Korea I thought that I would make a little money and travel Asia for a while. Things just didn't go to plan, they got better for me. Now with my income and lifestyle it would be very difficult for me to provide the same comfort for my family back in the states. Culture is at times frusterating, food is good. The cool thing is that my wife is more American than Korean so she lets her opinion known to all that are listening. This makes the time a little more bareable.

[lostintranslation100]

I really wish I liked Korea as much as you do. The money is awesome. If I could be making this type of money back in Europe I would be so happy!

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

I started the countdown the day I got here It's a great experience and I like teaching but I'm certainly not staying another year and the faster this year goes the better. 11 months and 1 day left lol.

To make the time fast, I've been planning my round the world trip back home since I got here. It's great motivation, knowing that at the end of my contract I'll be circumnavigating the globe for 3 months.

Also, thinking about what to do after Korea helps the time go by. I know that I'm working here to achieve a goal afterwards.

[lostintranslation100]

drugstore- That trip sounds great. What mode of travel will you be taking? I'm looking for a cheap method to do something similar.

[highdials5]

My countdown started after 6 months as it felt like I'd reached the top of the mountain, and was simply going down the other side. I've got about 2.5 months left now.

Time seemed to be passing more slowly since I started thinking about how long was left, so I took up running which is making it go faster again. Therefore my advice is to keep yourself busy and focus on other things. Keep busy. This is when time does indeed seem to fly by...

Rich

[D.D.]

23 days baby 23

[krd]

Three months into my first contract... Then I signed a new one when the time came. It's been a year and a half, and I'll probably be here a few more years, unless they finally deport me.

[English Matt]

[mlh]

I started counting down days on my calendar at 100 but I was crossing days off in April (which was about 5 1/2 months in) and my advice is 100 days is even too early.

It hasn't been horrible but it hasn't been great either. I just really really hate my job (its not a horror story or anything just mind numbingly boring). I also live out in the sticks and lets just say I'm ready to move on to other things.

In some ways the 100 days is passing alright. Tomorrow is day 50! Half way through but in other ways it just seems to go to slow focusing on it.

In an attempt to make the last of my time here seem more worthwhile I decided that my last 12 weeks I'd hit the gym really hard. I started going to the gym about 6 months in but only 3 times a week or so, my goal this last 12 weeks is to go 5 to 6 times a week and be more serious. So far I'm 5 weeks in and doing pretty good.

I'd recommend starting the countdown no earlier than 6 weeks left.

[tenchu77491]

I will hit 6 months in a few days, and I am already counting.

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

Why are you guys all so gung ho to leave?

I can understand if you're all located out in the sticks, but...

Was it not what you expected? Or did you just never plan to stay very long in the first place?

TBH I'm thinking I'll probably spend at least 5-10 years there, unless I really hate it for some unforeseen reason. Did any of you feel this way and then change your mind?

Y'all have scared me a bit