Korean Job Discussion Forums

[balzor]

Am I the only one that has a great school to work for and has no complaints whatsoever? I literally am given free reign to teach anything I want as long as I make sure to cover the chapters every so often. My co-teachers don't ever bother me with lesson prep and just expect that I know what I'm doing and follow suit. My summer camp is hands off, I can teach anything or not teach and play games, let my kids go when I'm done, which is well before the bell. I show up to work normally early and my principal comes to personally thank me for being a hard worker in front of other teachers.

On a side note, even though Now I live in a part of Seoul with few foreigners(that I have seen) I am starting to like my neighborhood more and more with each walk I take through it.

This school year is a complete 180 from last years hagwon "fun"
although I did live in Heywha which is my favorite place in Seoul

With all the negative stories on this board, I thought we could use some positive stories.

So share with the class please if you are having a good year so far( on the whole, cause nothing is ever perfect)



Also, this is not meant to be a rubbing in thread, just a having a good year thread

[The Gipkik]

Sounds like my school. I would have left Korea if it wasn't for the job. Such great people all around. Such a feeling of acceptance and community. And really generous and thoughtful and concerned coteachers. Yes, the principal often walks into the teachers room to tell me I'm wonderful. It is embarrassing. And if I can't make it to the class because of other duties, the students are unhappy and asking my coteacher what's up?

[Senior]

Yea, despite 9 out of my 20 classes being completely out of control, everything else completely rules (I'm serious). I don't have to think about that stuff for another 3 weeks, and when I come back to school, I will have a nice new English Zone to look forward to. Despite the odd minor annoyance, life is pretty sweet.

[DosEquisXX]

Thank you!

This forum is highly cynical. I come here to ask the occasional question because all of you are more in the know than me, but I normally scan through other threads and sometimes it just crushes my soul.

I'm happy to see a few good stories here.

[hexagonsun]

I feel the same as Gipkik...I would have left Korea if it wasn't for my school. Good high-level kids, good pay, great apartment/location, and administration that is pretty much hands off. All I have to do it follow the schedule, but I have free-reign in the class room. I'm meeting my expectations, my students are learning, and I feel like I'm an actual teacher. 2.5 years at the same academy must speak volumes of the situation I'm in.

Every teacher I met while traveling last week was miserable or unknowingly getting illegally screwed at their academy. I sighed in relief after each story.

Finding the right school can really make or break one's experience in Korea. I'm pretty damn happy here inside and outside of the work place.

[djsmnc]

Despite the fact that I'm required to have a number of months off and get paid for it and optionally take on part-time classes with high rates, I feel great this year too!

[edwardcatflap]

I wondered how long it would be before this 'positive' thread started to see the usual I get paid for doing nothing for 2 and a half months kind of posts appearing (yawn). What's next, Madoka coming on here trying to make us all feel better by talking about how much money he makes? By the way I work in a Uni too before you start

[djsmnc]

[Amethyst]

I am pretty happy too! I just re-signed my contract at the public school I work at. I live in a nice area (Hwajeong) and I have a pretty decent apt. My school treats me very well and I really like my head-teacher, handler, and other main co-teacher. These ladies even brought a gift for my mother when I went home for vacay. The job is not uber hard or stressful and it allows me to take care of the massive debt that I have. Now, don't get me wrong, no place is perfect but I feel good (In my James Brown voice).. Okay, all corniness aside I enjoy my lifestyle out here and I am grateful to be here. Cause if I was back home in the states, my options would be rather bleak..

[Howler Monkey]

Lemme tell you whippersnappers how it was for me.

I worked 4 jobs in Korea.

2 were absolute busts.

2 were damn good.

I remember the two good ones more than I do the other ones. Finding a nice job in Korea can make for a good year, but more importantly you all need to know what you are going to do after you finish up in Korea.

My 2nd good contract was followed by an 8 week trip across Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

I learned to scuba dive, rode elephants, ended up in the hospital due to a horrendous sunburn that got infected, rode a motor scooter all over Northern Thailand, nearly drowned in Cambodia, got thrown in jail for the night in Phenom Penh, got robbed in Saigon, spent a night in Bangkok being taught about the ins and outs of Mauy Thai kick boxing by a woman who had a really deep voice and a five o clock shadow (and no I didn't go there), and had the quietest most relaxed week of my life on the island of Palawan in the Philippines.

So honestly, I had some good times at that 2nd good contract, but the thing that sticks out the most is the good times that came after.

Have a good idea where you want to go...

And then go.

[Amethyst]

@ Howler Monkey, Thanks for the advice, but I'm not a whipper snapper, my dear. I have had my bad Korean job experience, went home for a year, then came back to Korea. I just wanted to share my good experiences at my current job. This stint in Korea is contributing to the greater cause of what I will ultimately do career wise (Cause yes I have thought about that, that's all I can think about as I get older), but I'm happy that it's drama free

I think some positive energy on Dave's is much needed..Thanks OP

[Howler Monkey]

I just turned 35 today and I feel pretty good. Kind of hot out here in Central China, but one of the girls at work made me a little card and put it on my desk.

It made me smile.

[Howler Monkey]

I just turned 35 today and I feel pretty good. Kind of hot out here in Central China, but one of the girls at work made me a little card and put it on my desk.

It made me smile.

[edwardcatflap]

[djsmnc]