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princess
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: soul of Asia
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 Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject: Swine flu and school/hagwon closings |
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So, how many people have had their job situation messed up thanks to the swine flu, or should I say uncalled for panic in Korea? It's ridiculous.  |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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Not me... 'H'ee1N1 is my friend. K paranoia got me an extra week of 'vacation' (paid, self-imposed quarantine) when I returned from "dirty countries" (Canada & the U.S.) after a month of holidays/home leave in August.
My school knows I'm going to Indonesia in January and is thanking me  for planning to come back a week before classes start in February. It may mean I can't travel out of K-land during unofficial holidays between Solnal and March 2� but so be it... it's their call, and I can't complain.
This Thursday, when my school is used as a venue for writing uni. entrance exams, they have designated a 'special' room for all the candidates with degi flu  ... and anyone invigilating must have had an inoculation.
My students have 'twigged' to the fact the adults are 'freaked' about swine flu. Now, 50% (instead of 33.3%) of any given English class claim to be 'sick' and want to be allowed to sleep. I allow them to do so... if they can standing up.  |
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hockeyguy109
Joined: 22 Dec 2008
Location: Daegu
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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| cruisemonkey wrote: |
My school knows I'm going to Indonesia in January and is thanking me for planning to come back a week before classes start in February. |
The week long quarantines for leaving the country are all over now, right? I haven't heard anything about it. Planning to come back to school the night before classes start up again. They know my schedule and haven't said anything. Am I going to get a nasty surprise a few days before my flight leaves? |
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Suwon4AGT
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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The swine flu epidemic ultimately cost me my job. My small rural hagwon lost half of its students when one of the kindies tested positive. The director told me that she could only afford to keep me on part time for half of my salary. I refused it, since I wouldn't be able to save any money, which was the major reason I came to Korea in the first place. And my location is so remote/terrible, I wouldn't be able to supplement a half-salary with private tutoring or any other form of illegal income.
My original recruiter is trying to line up some interviews at other crapwons, but I really don't wish to stay in Korea for one more year. I was happy with finishing up in March. But it looks like that's not going to happen now.
I'm torn because I know that returning to the U.S. right now in the worst of economic times would be incredibly risky, to say the least, especially with only having saved up $3-$4K. But at the same time, this experience in Korea has left me with such a bad taste in my mouth, part of me just wants to call it a day, tuck in my tail and go home (even though there's no home to go to).
Life sucks!! |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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| hockeyguy109 wrote: |
| Am I going to get a nasty surprise a few days before my flight leaves? |
Probably... this is K-land.
Whether or not the surprise is 'nasty' will depend on your individual circumstance and how you deal with what's said. Personally, I don't see their lack of foresight as my problem. If they want to make it so, they can always fire me... then it will get truly nasty. |
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hockeyguy109
Joined: 22 Dec 2008
Location: Daegu
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Suwon4AGT wrote: |
I'm torn because I know that returning to the U.S. right now in the worst of economic times would be incredibly risky, to say the least, especially with only having saved up $3-$4K. |
You'll be okay. There ARE jobs in the United States. You just aren't going to be able to be as picky as before. The media has really blown it out of proportion. Think about it....whats the unemployment, maybe 10.2 percent or something? I assume you went to college (otherwise you wouldn't be in Korea). What is the percentage of Americans (or wherever you're from) who have a college degree? It already puts you ahead of the pack. The people unemployed are either the uneducated or unmotivated. There are a lot of picky people out there. You will be fine. Don't worry! Think of it this way, at least your leaving early. I still have till March and probably won't be going back home with much more money than you have (been paying off mad debts). |
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Suwon4AGT
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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| hockeyguy109 wrote: |
| Suwon4AGT wrote: |
I'm torn because I know that returning to the U.S. right now in the worst of economic times would be incredibly risky, to say the least, especially with only having saved up $3-$4K. |
You'll be okay. There ARE jobs in the United States. You just aren't going to be able to be as picky as before. The media has really blown it out of proportion. Think about it....whats the unemployment, maybe 10.2 percent or something? I assume you went to college (otherwise you wouldn't be in Korea). What is the percentage of Americans (or wherever you're from) who have a college degree? It already puts you ahead of the pack. The people unemployed are either the uneducated or unmotivated. There are a lot of picky people out there. You will be fine. Don't worry! Think of it this way, at least your leaving early. I still have till March and probably won't be going back home with much more money than you have (been paying off mad debts). |
Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement! I'm still extremely nervous. I do have an MS degree in education (educational technology), but peculiar circumstances brought me here to begin with. I have a serious debt load myself, so I know the feeling. Korea is hardly a solution to a college grad in debt, when you consider the amount of corruption within the K-Hagwon industry. |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 12:28 am Post subject: |
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| Suwon4AGT wrote: |
| hockeyguy109 wrote: |
| Suwon4AGT wrote: |
I'm torn because I know that returning to the U.S. right now in the worst of economic times would be incredibly risky, to say the least, especially with only having saved up $3-$4K. |
You'll be okay. There ARE jobs in the United States. You just aren't going to be able to be as picky as before. The media has really blown it out of proportion. Think about it....whats the unemployment, maybe 10.2 percent or something? I assume you went to college (otherwise you wouldn't be in Korea). What is the percentage of Americans (or wherever you're from) who have a college degree? It already puts you ahead of the pack. The people unemployed are either the uneducated or unmotivated. There are a lot of picky people out there. You will be fine. Don't worry! Think of it this way, at least your leaving early. I still have till March and probably won't be going back home with much more money than you have (been paying off mad debts). |
Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement! I'm still extremely nervous. I do have an MS degree in education (educational technology), but peculiar circumstances brought me here to begin with. I have a serious debt load myself, so I know the feeling. Korea is hardly a solution to a college grad in debt, when you consider the amount of corruption within the K-Hagwon industry. |
Have you thought about switching to a Public School for a year? You'll get longer vacations, work fewer hours, won't have to worry about losing your job halfway through your contract, and can then go back to the US with more than $10k.....having lived abroad a couple of times prior to coming here, I know how expensive it can be to set yourself up again in your home country.
Unless your parents and/or friends can put you up and they happen to live in a big city, that $3-4k you say you have will be wiped out within the first 3 months upon returning. Find a better job and location for another year....going back home in the middle of a recession with so little saved and no job offers is a recipe for disaster in my opinion. |
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Suwon4AGT
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:24 am Post subject: |
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| English Matt wrote: |
Have you thought about switching to a Public School for a year? You'll get longer vacations, work fewer hours, won't have to worry about losing your job halfway through your contract, and can then go back to the US with more than $10k.....having lived abroad a couple of times prior to coming here, I know how expensive it can be to set yourself up again in your home country.
Unless your parents and/or friends can put you up and they happen to live in a big city, that $3-4k you say you have will be wiped out within the first 3 months upon returning. Find a better job and location for another year....going back home in the middle of a recession with so little saved and no job offers is a recipe for disaster in my opinion. |
Ironically, it's reading posts like this that make me want to go home even more. Call me stupid, but for whatever reason, I'm tired of being an economic slave/refugee. And I know that I can't speak for every expat here, as I'm sure there are many who have found a livable job/living situation, but I feel there are a number of us who would drop this country like a bad habit if it was financially feasible to do so.
From what I can see, its a crapshoot when you get here. You have little to no idea what you are getting into. So I neither condemn those who hate Korea or those who had much better fortunes than myself.
Believe me, I have dwelled and obsessed on all of the negatives for returning home right now. Every gloom and doom economic story I read online hits home, so to speak. But I guess there is a stubborn streak within that holds on to some selfish form of dignity and pride. I just don't like the way foreigners are treated here and the problems that exist go way beyond anything that I can do to change it. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:53 am Post subject: |
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| Suwon4AGT wrote: |
| From what I can see, its a crapshoot when you get here. You have little to no idea what you are getting into. |
It's a crapshoot before one arrives (and even after). Public or private, I can guarantee there are no guarantees (other than death & taxes) and the fact you will be 'tested' upon arrival. The secret to happiness in K-land is being able to say "No"... it's a cultural thing... that starts in dealings with recruiters.
Last edited by cruisemonkey on Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:06 am; edited 1 time in total |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:06 am Post subject: |
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| Suwon4AGT wrote: |
| English Matt wrote: |
Have you thought about switching to a Public School for a year? You'll get longer vacations, work fewer hours, won't have to worry about losing your job halfway through your contract, and can then go back to the US with more than $10k.....having lived abroad a couple of times prior to coming here, I know how expensive it can be to set yourself up again in your home country.
Unless your parents and/or friends can put you up and they happen to live in a big city, that $3-4k you say you have will be wiped out within the first 3 months upon returning. Find a better job and location for another year....going back home in the middle of a recession with so little saved and no job offers is a recipe for disaster in my opinion. |
Ironically, it's reading posts like this that make me want to go home even more. Call me stupid, but for whatever reason, I'm tired of being an economic slave/refugee. And I know that I can't speak for every expat here, as I'm sure there are many who have found a livable job/living situation, but I feel there are a number of us who would drop this country like a bad habit if it was financially feasible to do so.
From what I can see, its a crapshoot when you get here. You have little to no idea what you are getting into. So I neither condemn those who hate Korea or those who had much better fortunes than myself.
Believe me, I have dwelled and obsessed on all of the negatives for returning home right now. Every gloom and doom economic story I read online hits home, so to speak. But I guess there is a stubborn streak within that holds on to some selfish form of dignity and pride. I just don't like the way foreigners are treated here and the problems that exist go way beyond anything that I can do to change it. |
I agree with everything you have to say.....and it is why I am leaving Korea at the end of next May. However, my finances are no longer a burden and I have had the last two years to think ahead and have some very concrete plans for what I will do after leaving here. Having come to Korea with a lot of debt, I can say that, despite all the hassles, it has been worth sticking it out to allow me to be able to enact those plans.
I can understand the desire to get back home, and it will undoubtedly feel great when you first get back. I would just advise you to think about how you will feel when, if a few months down the line, you have not been able to find work and have wiped out your savings.
I always take the approach that it is better to suffer a little in the present in order to enjoy what you want to do in the future.....in the end you will be the one laughing when you leave Korea with a pot of money to go chase your dreams. I live in Suwon, like you, and know that it can get boring here....but if you get a PS job you can get away for long vacations in the summer and winter, you will have more free time and I really doubt that it will be as bad as your hagwon gig. |
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princess
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: soul of Asia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:13 am Post subject: |
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| Suwon4AGT wrote: |
The swine flu epidemic ultimately cost me my job. My small rural hagwon lost half of its students when one of the kindies tested positive. The director told me that she could only afford to keep me on part time for half of my salary. I refused it, since I wouldn't be able to save any money, which was the major reason I came to Korea in the first place. And my location is so remote/terrible, I wouldn't be able to supplement a half-salary with private tutoring or any other form of illegal income.
My original recruiter is trying to line up some interviews at other crapwons, but I really don't wish to stay in Korea for one more year. I was happy with finishing up in March. But it looks like that's not going to happen now.
I'm torn because I know that returning to the U.S. right now in the worst of economic times would be incredibly risky, to say the least, especially with only having saved up $3-$4K. But at the same time, this experience in Korea has left me with such a bad taste in my mouth, part of me just wants to call it a day, tuck in my tail and go home (even though there's no home to go to).
Life sucks!! |
Yes, life sucks! Swine flu cost me a job I was just about to fly to Korea for. Thanks to swine flu, I wouldn't be able to start at this school until Feb. More months of sitting with my parents like an old lady, putting my sucky life on hold. I should just slit my wrists or take a bottle of pills and end my pathetic life. I am so tired of worrying about jobs and money, and now I will have to get a new CBC....I am so tired..tired of everything. 2009 has been one awful year for me and I just feel like I can't go on anymore. Life isn't worth the aggravation anymore. |
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classydame
Joined: 03 Aug 2009
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:48 am Post subject: |
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"I always take the approach that it is better to suffer a little in the present in order to enjoy what you want to do in the future.....in the end you will be the one laughing when you leave Korea with a pot of money to go chase your dreams."
I am totally going to stitch a sampler with this quote and hang it on my wall as soon as I get to Korea. |
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Meenam
Joined: 16 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:53 am Post subject: |
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| Life isn't worth the aggravation anymore. |
umm...if you're that fed up with life and don't want anymore aggravation..somehow i don't think korea is the right place for you.
Promise i'm not being a jerk when i say this, but talks of suicide and giving up (if you are serious and not just being overly dramatic) on life..those may be things you want to talk to a councelor about before considering flying halfway round the world to take up a new life in a foreign country. Just a thought. |
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ontheway
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Location: Somewhere under the rainbow...
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:55 am Post subject: |
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| classydame wrote: |
"I always take the approach that it is better to suffer a little in the present in order to enjoy what you want to do in the future.....in the end you will be the one laughing when you leave Korea with a pot of money to go chase your dreams."
I am totally going to stitch a sampler with this quote and hang it on my wall as soon as I get to Korea. |
Don't let the flu get in the way of your dream of riches in Korea.
Never cast swine before pearls. |
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