Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daveeslcafe888]

Hi Everyone,

In two weeks, I'm about to depart to Seoul to start teaching. While I know that there is plenty of career, education, and life opportunities, I do admit I feel a little antsy about going to a foreign country, etc.

1. Would any of you out there mind telling me about your positive experiences, and how it was well worth it to get over any reservations you guys had about coming over?

2. Is there anything specific I should do to make the transition easier?

(I'm guessing finding a good group of friends, networking, etc. are all good).

Thanks

[sojusucks]

Save money but don't sit at home on weekends. Being here can wear on you and the long distance separation can get to you even if you have a good job. Get out there and do stuff, see stuff, and be as active as possible on the weekends.

[PatrickGHBusan]

I will echo the previous poster: get out there!

Your stay and on happy you will be depends largely on you and on what you do.

Network, make friends, get out there, visit places on the weekends, try restaurants, visit museums, go hiking, exercise, explore your city....

All these things will make Korea become a little bit like home through normal activities.

[Hokie21]

And don't forget your cell phone charger.

[Zackback]

My postitive experiences would include meeting a ton of really nice ladies and eating less fatty foods which has enabled me to lose quite a bit of my beer belly.

[ktkates87]

I expected the worst and have been more than happy over here. Everything I've heard about Korea that's been negative, hasn't really been an issue at all for me. Be relaxed, and don't get caught in the mindset that everything should be as it is at home because Korea can be alot like home-- it isn't!

Get out and get out soon. Make friends outside of work and do more than just go to the bar on weekends. Hit up www.meetup.com or join a weekend trip with "adventure korea" or "discover korea." Go to temples, try to experience culture, be nice to your Korean coteachers, smile lots, say yes to invitations, try new foods.

One thing I've found that's really positive is that it is easy to persue any hobby you want here. My partner has started running because there are so many great places to go, and lots of groups to join, and races to compete in. I've been alot more dedicated to photography and have gotten alot better at it because I have so many more opportunities to practice here because theres so much going on.

On a sidenote, alot of people will tell you "don't sit at home and try to save money-- make sure you go out." This is true, but make sure that this doesn't just involve bingedrinking. You don't want to feel like crap at work (it wears you out) and you want to be able to have money to go places and do things besides hitting the bars on the weekends. It gets hard to say no to an invitation!

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I met my husband here.

[daveeslcafe888]

All good stuff.

I hope I can keep in touch with my friends (via Facebook and Skype).

[Xylox]

[rkc76sf]

I had one about a week ago, I had just finished running and coming back into my aparment complex, waiting to cross the street. This old guy who was waving one of those flags to block traffic for the elementary school kids keeps giving me the stare and dirty looks while I'm waiting for the light to change. It's starting to annoy me and I try not to let it bother me, so when the crosswalk light turns green and I go across, I pass by him and suddenly he looks at me and says the only English he probably knows- "Good morning"! That one act made my day and I felt bad for any negative thoughts I'd had before. Sometimes it's just the little things.

[Bibbitybop]

I've ridden over 25,000 km on a motorcycle here and been to more cities than 90% of the Koreans I meet. I've camped on islands and beaches for peace and partied at bars and clubs for excitement. I've researched, presented, improved my job positions, and networked with people from all over the world. I have not impregnated a girl nor caught any diseases. I have not gone to jail nor been sued for blood money.

[thegadfly]

[young_clinton]

If you teach at a public elementary school in the boonies, the kids are very cute.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]