Korean Job Discussion Forums

[methdxman]

I've just recently started browsing two expat/ESL forums regarding Korea because I will be moving there in a little over a month to start a new job. People have been nothing but helpful with my questions and for that I am very grateful.

From what I've gathered it seems like the majority of the expats in Korea really don't like being there.

I know first hand what it's like to be an expat because I lived in Spain for 5 years. Sure, at times it's tough and I'll always have complaints about Spaniards/Europeans, but I am also willing to recognize the positive aspects of people and countries.

Is there anything you like about Korea besides the "dolla dolla bills ya'll"? Or is it just a bad place with terrible food, weather and people?

[Globutron]

Kimbap, Mandu, Money, Weather (exciting), people, culture, apartment, work, temples, mountains, coasts, society.

Fairly sure about 19 threads that would answer your question have been made in the last day. Though I'm aware the search thing doesn't work for sh**. For me, at least.

[Louis VI]

[toby99]

If you've done your research about expat life in Korea, which you should do before you come, you'd probably come to the conclusion that living here is a mixed bag. Most people will find things they like, and things they dislike. I wouldn't give much credence to any of the excessively negative rants that you read online, however.

IMO, though, the majority of people find living in Korea to be anywhere from tolerable to great. The people who find it less-than-tolerable probably got effed over by their hakwon, don't make any efforts to adjust to the culture, etc. etc.

[rollo]

Great positive posts! I would like to add that some who come to Korea with an open mind fall prey to the esler with the totally negative attitude about Korea. Beware these types they can sour you on what can be a very interesting experience. I love hiking and studying Bhuddism so Korea was very good for me. I learned to like the Koreans for their toughness and determination. they can be difficult , but their is a great streak of kindness in them also. The owner of the second Hagwon I worked at, I still consider a dear dear friend really like an uncle. Honest caring, he treated all his teachers like family. People just dont post about the positive things enough. Really good to read this thread.

[Wai Mian]

People who have lived elsewhere before coming to Korea like it less than those who have never lived anywhere else before.

[kardisa]

[sirius black]

I don't think its a question that can be answered. Any answer would be subjective. You can site liveability stats, etc. but that doesn't help. I've lived in 3rd world countries that I loved way more than living in the U.S.

How much you like Korea depends largely on YOU. Your personality, what you like and dislike. There are people who love the place. There are those that do their time and are ready to go back home after their contract is done and won't cry.

Some folks come here spoiled and want to live like they did in America, Canada, England, etc. They wouldn't be happy anywhere. There are some more adventuresome folks who like the big differences and like the experience.

Also, it depends on WHERE you live in Korea. Life in Seoul and life in some small south korean town is just as different as living in NYC and a small town in upstate NY.

A lot of your quality of life will depend on your job. Your life outside of it may be cool but if your job sucks it doesn't matter much. I know folks who love the clubs, etc. of Seoul but have a job they hate. They live for the last class on Fridays.

Know you. Know what you like and don't like. Read all the posts from all sources including Lonely Planet and non ESL sites. Find posters on here who are from the place you will be living. However, know that their opinions are also based on their personality.

There are things you can do to make life easier (i.e. try and learn some of the language, learn about the culture, find people you get along with socially, choose your school carefully by talking to people who worked there, etc.)

[bluelake]

Yes, great responses so far! As one who has experienced Korea for the better part of three decades, I can concur that it's a mixed bag. Over the years, I've been on a roller coaster of emotions about the country; one day I might think, "What in the heck am I doing here?" and the next, "I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!" There are people you want to hug one minute and strangle the next...

I like the mild winters where I am, compared to my home in northern Michigan. I dislike the hot, humid summers.

I love Korean food, although one can only take so much of a good thing

I like being able to travel anywhere within the country within a few hours time. I dislike the way a majority of Koreans drive.

I like being able to immerse myself in the country's history by visiting historic places easily. I dislike the distortion of history, either by outsiders or by Koreans themselves.

I like having had the opportunity over the years to teach a couple generations of Koreans and later hearing back from them on their successes in life. I dislike the over-Westernization, in some ways, of kids nowadays.

I like the helpfulness of most Koreans I meet, although sometimes it can be carried to a point of seeming almost patronizing.

The list is long, but those are a few.

Many people come to Korea with unrealistic expectations. If one comes with an open mind and a closed mouth, it can be a positive experience.

[bbud656]

I have only been here a little over a month, but I know quite a few people that are here and have been here for a year or more. People don't come online to post about how great life is. You only get a small sample and 90% of it is people venting. It is great here as long as your job treats you fairly. Public transportation is cheap and convenient. Food is cheap. Tons of nightlife and bars. People are friendly enough (god knows what they are saying behind your back or in front of you in Korean). You aren't going to learn the language in a year. According to my friends in military intelligence back in the states, Korean is the hardest language to learn for an English speaker. It almost has its own class designation above chinese, arabic, and japanese. Reading it is very easy though. When you get here you are going to be in a bubble, so try to make friends early. Despite the millions of kids learning English, most people here aren't fluent enough to carry on a conversation or are too shy or embarrassed about it to try. Get good at charades. Like I said, I know about 15 teachers here and everyone loves it, is signing up for a second year, except for one guy that has a [Mod Edit] hagwon job. If you don't like your job, you won't be happy anywhere.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

Low taxes; like 3.3%, some jobs nothing.

I got my property tax bill. Unbelievable; $90! That's for 6 months. So $180 for a year.

Really if taxes were this low in Canada, I'd still be there.

Oh, and my car insurance is $550 for a year.

[SinclairLondon]

Job, location. vacation and housing play a huge role in life here. My buddy works at an international school. 40 plus pyeong house near the beach, teaching a subject he loves, no Korean or whining allowed in the classroom and most importantly, lots of vacation to get away from Korea for mental health weeks. Needless to say, he loves it--though his circumstances are the exception. He could stay for years. However, if I were him, I would still rather be at an international school in any other country in Asia, except N.Korea.

[oldtactics]

OP, keep in mind that people never post on the internet when they're happy. If they're doing something fun and awesome, they're not on internet forums talking about it.

I love the food, the easy job, the low cost of living, the low cost of vices, the festivals, the fast internet, the ease of travel, the clean air, most of the people, most of the culture, most of... everything. It's definitely not for everyone, and it's not a forever-home for me, but for now, it works and I like it.

[lisk]

Try reading 'Meeting Mr Kim' by Jennifer Barclay, she thought Korea was a mixed bag but she seemed to love it, not that i've been... yet!

[tiger fancini]