Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Starla]

I completed my 1st year contract and was looking forward to another year here so I renewed my contract. I've loved the convenience, the food, the kindness of others I've met here and how inexpensive everything is here. Well, that was until I visited the U.S. and now I regret it. Seeing my family and friends, sick mother and ex-boyfriend wanting to rekindle things has something to do with it. Having the convenience of English everywhere is a huge part of it too.

I just don't think I could face another year here now that I'm back. I've had my fill of feeling isolated from the rest of society and like I don't make a difference at my public school job. The thing is I didn't realize it until I visited the U.S. where I didn't experience those things. It's not anything to do with my co-workers or Korean people because in general, I've been treated very well by them.

How have others dealt with these feelings and is it normal at this stage? Will it pass? I wasn't homesick the whole time I was here but now it's overwhelming me even though I know the U.S. has major issues that I'd find annoying should I move back. But at least I have my loves ones there and I know that's where I'll eventually settle down anyway. My VISA isn't renewed yet though and I don't see the point of going through the motions if my heart's not in it. What's your advice? BTW, if you don't have anything constructive to say, please refrain from commenting.

[farrepatt]

I didn't actually go home myself between my contracts, but my wife and a bunch of my friends did. I'd say they all experienced similar feelings to yours. I thought I was taking the hard road by staying and saving the money I would have spent on the plane tickets and yet in the end I think staying made it easier for me in the short term.

After a few weeks my wife and friends got back into their routine in Korea and most of those sad feelings faded. I think it's pretty common. I suspect in a month or so you'll feel a lot better about your decision to stay another year.

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

I firmly believe if a non Korean person spends more than 1-2 years in SK, they are failing themselves.

You have strong family ties. What would be the point deferring them for another 12 months of transitory experiences? Experiences that are ultimately meaningless due to isolation and lack of career advancement? Some people are happy being trapped within their own sense of inertia though.

My advice is to find a job back home. Work hard, improve your skills and enjoy family and friends. Live a life. Don't run away and hide from it.

[samcheokguy]

You're alive and living life even if you're in a supermax. Still, I'd rather Korea.

[samcheokguy]

*edit* makes no sense now after previous posts deleted.

[Jane]

[climber159]

You managed to get through your first year and come back. This relapse of homesickness will pass. I discovered that my second year was far more enjoyable than my first. I attribute this to having done a good job of familiarizing myself with Seoul and the surrounding area during my first year, having found a small but close group of expat friends and Korean friends, and being able to speak a bit of Korean. Sure, there were still plenty of aspects of Korea that annoyed the bajeezes out of me, but it really began to feel like my home.

After being in Korea for two years, I have gone back to my home country where I am pursuing something that will hopefully bring more rewards than the ESL industry provides.

My humble suggestion is to not dwell on what you have left back home; rather, use this second year to explore parts of Korea or Asia you didn't during your first year, and further develop your friendships you've made here. Having friends dispersed around the world means you'll have a place to crash during future travels no matter how far you go; and, friends you make while traveling (or as an expat) are often pretty interesting people to talk with.

[AgentM]

[brainfreeze]

I've lived in many countries over the years, even though it was not absolutely necessary for my particular line of work, and homesickness when going back in a normal part of that.

I think it's because you enjoy your time there so much, and for you it's like life "skipped" a step when you were gone. So you catch up with all the ailments of your family and regret not having been there for them. However, you tend to see things with a more rose tinted pair of glasses then you would otherwise and it's likely that the reasons you may have left haven't really changed.

I think the best thing for you to do is evaluate the reasons why you left for SK in the first place. If you can do that, and you feel that they no longer apply, or that you've achieved what you've wanted to then stay at home. If not then perhaps you should return to SK. Either way it's not going to be an easy decision, but you can rest assured with the knowledge that it's not like you're signing up to an unbreakable Verizon cell phone contract You can easily change your mind down the track if circumstances change.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Jane]

[Cohiba]

[I'm no Picasso]

[DrOctagon]

I'm a family man, so I say go home to be with them.

I'm leaving Korea on Saturday. I can't imagine going back for 1 week then having to go another year without seeing my family for another year. The one or two weeks between contracts is just not enough time.

Plus, you can always come back if you get sick of being home.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

One word - priorities.

If you have no motivations or reasons to be here any more - then go.

If you do, such as money, I'd imagine is usually the most important one - then realise how much of a priority it is to you and then you'll find you're motivated again.

If you have no motive to be here and your priorities lie back home, then go back home.

If you have no solid priorities either way, then make a few plans, get some priorities and thus your next best course of action will be easily decided.