Korean Job Discussion Forums

Friennd · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest

I just arrived in Korea to teach at a private school. I flew over and started teaching the next day. The owners of the school are giving me little support and acting like I'm stupid for not immediately knowing what to do. There seems to be no awareness of what 16 hours of jet lag and culture shock can do, and disregarding that, even in the States in most jobs there would be a lot of support in terms of explaining and getting oriented.

I am working mornings, afternoons, and evenings and on top of it trying to understand how to deal with attendance and just getting the basics to live. In all the decades I've worked in the US I've never experienced a job where I am treated like this.

Does anyone have any suggestions or insights as to where the owners and teachers are coming from? Am I facing cultural attitudes or practices that I don't understand? I have tried not to go on to long but then again maybe I haven't gone into enough detail. This is my first post to this board. Is this typical or have I just had bad luck?

Thank you.

DeMayonnaise · Joined: 02 Nov 2008

Perceptioncheck · Joined: 13 Oct 2008

As soon as I arrived in Korea, I was dropped off at my (public) school where I formally met the principal, co-teachers and then most of the kids at lunch. It was quite overwhelming and I must admit that at one point, I was tempted to lock myself in the bathroom and have a bit of a cry. I got to my apartment eventually, but that day ended up being a little bit like hell.

Based on my experience, I think teaching as soon as you arrive is pretty common. The next day, I was not so gently propelled into a full day of classes. This would've been fine, but they'd previously told me I didn't need to prepare anything at all for that first week. There's really nothing like standing in front of 40 kids for 40 minutes, desperately trying to retain your calm and try to come up with some 'fun introduction activities' off the cuff.

So, you're not alone. It might help to think of it as a kind of trial by fire; you know, that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I'm sure everything will seem a lot better when you get your head around things. Good luck!

Steve_Rogers2008 · Joined: 22 Mar 2010

Sounds like the OP is the only foreign teacher at the school... best to get one of the Korean teachers there on your side as best you can.

They'll be the ones doing the BS paperwork and whatnot for the school, and get paid even less than you. Go out to lunch or dinner with them and pick up the tab. it'll be cheap by western standards. Shoot the BS with them and get them on your side.

also, find other foreign teachers to hang out with- best done in the local bar scene in your area.

All else fails, just drown your sorrows in some soju or llval beer. and learn to love kimchi... Wink

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

First time I taught in a hagwon, someone picked me up at the airport and then shoved me into a class asap. I didn't get to see my new place until 10 hours later. That was hell.

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

You're not in Kansas anymore.

That said, Good Luck.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

OP. Don't take this treatment personally. Teaching straight from the plane is common (it happened to me).

Think of this as being your first lesson about Korea, i.e., "It's all about the money." Your school is paying you from the day you landed, so they want you to work from that day. This will give you an indication of your status in Korea, i.e., you are being paid to work - and you will have to work to get paid.

Your second shock might come when you get sick, as even then, you'll be expected to work (because they are paying you).

Ride it out. Enjoy it. Keep us posted.

Don't worry, teaching the kids can be fun.

Good luck.

AsiaESLbound · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Location: Truck Stop Missouri

Talk about hitting the ground running.

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

In other news, I'm already on paid vacation til September. Yep, September!

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

I feel rather blessed now that we had that swine flu scare as it gave me a week to become adjusted to life here.

It took me a month to get over the jet-lag...that first week I would have been a zombie.

nomad-ish · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject:

don't worry, the first week here will most likely be a blur. think of it as a rite of passage. you'll most likely want to crack and go home, but if you hang in for a while, you should be able to settle in and sort things out. Smile

by the way, what are your working hours? you said morning, afternoon, and evening, didn't you?

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

Whats stupid is their policy of hiring people with no experience or qualifications based solely on nationality and appearance.

Then complaining they "don't know what to do".

Meanwhile dozens of competent teachers are rejected because they're not american. Rolling Eyes

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

air76 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007

What you've experienced is pretty normal here....my first employer in Korea way back when dumped me in a truly empty apartment, as in no fridge, no stove, no bed, nothing but a garbage sack with a pillow and crappy blanket, and it stayed that empty for a week. I was furious when they finally gave me a few furnishings and it turned out the stuff was upstairs at the school the whole time....you just have to tough it out and try to get into a university job as soon as you can.