Korean Job Discussion Forums

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

I am looking around for a new job and haven't been too concerned with location or age of the students as I have pretty much taught all levels over the years.

I must say though that even the private schools that sound good when you hear the details of thier programs put me off once you see the contracts that they offer. I used to think the contracts offered when Korea was the wild East were bad, but seriously some of those now are just shocking.

Those new teachers who sign these contracts obviously have no idea of how bad the conditions offered have beome even from those 3-4 yrs ago. One contract seriously made me wonder how bad they believe life is back home that people would accept slavery in Korea.

I was not intentionally planning on going home, but if the offers and contracts I am being shown are all that is out there, then thats it for me. The funniest ones are where the recruiter advertises one position and then slips you a great school because they cant give you the first position. Great is obviously in the mind of the beholder, but its not proven by the contract they want to show you.

Korea sure has changed.

Junior · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: the eye

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

For me: Home I would wager for 2-3 years at least.

I wont say no to a new job if someone offers me something decent, but I wouldn't call 140 hrs of teaching including non paid extra work good. Or being expected to make a new lesson plan for every class every day plus marking extra and training camps for no extra pay to be great.

Its easy to say, you do these many hrs and then do all this extra work unpaid, but that extra work can sure build up. Or being told that they can move you into a number of different work locations.

It seems some of these schools have been burned before and now they have everything covered including having to pay airfare back, within 9 months if you leave. Considering that if you are a long term teacher in Korea, then the work place must be pretty bad for you to do a runner. You would think the schools would negotiate some stuff.

Though, I guess I also see the potential problems that could be caused by each of the contracts I have read and know how they could be used if they want to screw you. I guess experience is making me more cautious than a new teacher to korea.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 5:26 am Post subject:

Got something tangible planned for your move home?

I assume you do and it will avoid you all sorts of pitfalls and troubles as you move back.

Good luck!

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

Why not explore a new part of the world?

Seoul'n'Corea · Joined: 06 Nov 2008

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

Yeah, Patrick I know what I am going to do when I go home. I am just looking around at the moment for another year in Korea. I am not burned out on Korea, its kind of become my home in a way. Go figure.

If I am leaving, I will sort out a rental property back home before I leave, so when I return, I will have a place already to move into. Already looking at other options as well, such as location to live in etc, jobs etc. Though its sorted out.

I am pretty blase, but my parents have been in a similar situation as me before. Moving back home after many years overseas so they have been giving me advice about the things you should look at, even the psychological issues of returning home and finding culture shock.

I should be fine, and if it doesnt work out then I will see what comes up. Though I feel this is my final year ever in korea if I dont get a job here I like. Its been up and down for me over the years in Korea, but I dont regret my time here and I have no problems saying good bye to it.

You have to leave sometime, regardless of how long you have lived here. Its just another pitstop on the road through my life.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I made the move home almost a year ago now, and I still wish I had stayed in Korea. It's -28 here in Canuckistahn.

But like you, I was sick of playing the "game", not being valued, doing a bunch of useless things that I know are useless and not being allowed to do anything of my own.

By the grace of God I got work right away, but physical labour is not so comfy after years of being an EFLer.

If I ever return to Korea, I am going to look into an "After School" program.

From what I here, they are head and shoulders above both hogwons and regular PS jobs.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:54 pm Post subject:

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

Hi Patrick,
Well Korea is part of your life.

I still want to return to the country I was born in and the last time I saw it was when I was 7.

Its just humanity. We are a collection of good and bad experiences and the good memories normally over shadow the bad or we would be PTSD trauma victims for it.

Seriously though, Listen Korea is still here. Come back anytime you want. You are though one of the few people who I expect to see coming back as either the father of the next future Korean President, or the person who turns up to tell all the NET POWs, I told you so.

Laughing

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 4:16 am Post subject:

NohopeSeriously · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 4:27 am Post subject:

I can still stay in Korea since I'm technically a Gyopo who can also speak fluent Korean.

corporateslv · Joined: 07 Feb 2011

southernman · Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: On the mainland again

You're right to be aware of reverse culture shock. It's really the only time I've had culture shock in any way.

When I went back home after 3 years away in Europe and the middle east, I was amazed and not in a good way. Sure it was great to be back and see the beauty of my own country, I think you only ever appreciate just how spectacular it is when return from a long time away. Seing my family and close friends was also awesome

But be prepared to see people doing exactley the same thing as they were before you left, down to even sitting at the same spots in the same old bars.

People still saying they're gonna do this they're gonna do that. Basically also saying the same things as before, when in reality they've just been doing the same old same old.

I'm going back again after what will be 4 years in August, for a vacation. This time I've made a concious effort to keep up with things back home. So I won't be so disappointed with the mundane existence so many people choose to lead.

I'm not knocking the mundane, people have to survive, it was just a real shock seeing so many talented people settle for it.

sirius black · Joined: 04 Jun 2010