Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jajdude]

Hmmm.... where else could one go? Been to Taiwan, not really much different in my opinion except for having zero Chinese ability. Thailand pay is too low. Vietnam sounds good, would probably need the TEFL or CELTA. Japan? I'm curious if I would like it or not. It's just that Korea has gotten old and routine, although a little comfortable and familiar. Maybe I need a change, something to wake and shake me up. Would like to see Europe but I also would like to be able to save a bit of cash. Middle East is out for me, I think I'm too prejudiced to ever even visit. Really do not go for ISlam. Anyway perhaps it'll be another while in Korea, and maybe later Vietnam....? I don't know.

[Trinny]

Check out the Japanese job discussion forum and read the posts by Glenski. He is a "lifer" in Japan and has been providing balanced, useful information about Japanese jobs, cost of living and networking in the forum.

[Tiger Beer]

GOOD TOPIC.

I really like Vietnam. I've been there twice.. and wouldn't mind working there.. however it does become fatiguing after awhile to be constantly asked and harrassed to get a ride on a motorbikes.. but if you lived there.. maybe you'd have your own.. and all would be good..

hmm.. i've went through this whole process as you have many times.. and tried various places.. in the end.. i find everywhere more or less the same in certain ways..

generally.. language is most important.. can you pick it up..

the rest.. well, good and bad.. everything is a comparison..

sounds like you've already did the Taiwan thing.. China would be like korea but alot less pay and not as fun.. Japan could be an alternative..

if money isn't an issue.. go through all the Lonely Planets and try to find which culture appeals to you the most.. ultimately BRAZIL is THE place for me.. but of course, i don't have the money... and it doesn't really give you the money either..

for me.. ahmm.. i got a FUNNY List though.. but Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, and Colombia.. those are the four i'm down to that i'd like to live and work..

i've been to alot of places and considered it..

Japan: Aesthetically pleasing.. mm.. pros and cons versus korea.. i have my reasons but i prefer Korea.. many others would disagree..

China: i like it there.. very comfortable. a little weird.. kind of weird in the same ways that Korea is weird.. but since they don't pay that well.. hmm.. would rather be in Korea..

Taiwan: I've never been there.. i need to check it out sometime..

Vietnam: Very cool.. i love that country.. a little fatigued from the moto drivers.. but all things considered.. i like it..

Cambodia: heard its good.. but because of the pedaphile lurkers known to hangout there.. i just don't like that stuff and don't want to even know about it.. alot of people love that place though..

Thailand: better to be a tourist there.. no interest in there..

Indonesia: i went there.. too hot and dirty.. kind of interesting place.. but.. hmm.. i have my reasons.. i brought all my bags down there to teach.. but after a month.. just didn't want to deal with the heat and dirt and such.. back to korea

Hungary: I also packed my bags to go there.. found it too boring to be a white dude in a white country.. no one is interested in you.. they find out you don't speak the local language, and they ignore you.. much like we'd do to foreigners in the West.. i prefer Asia..

Turkey: Kind of cool.. i went there with my bags and books to live and teach.. ultimately found it conservative like korea.. but pay was cut in half.. again preferred Korea.. but i liked Turkey though..

South America: I was there 10 months. pays horrible.. but nice to be there.. the language is EASY after asian language struggles.. all is good.. but the money is HORRIBLE! i went into debt being there.. better to work in Korea/Taiwan/Japan and go there with savings!!

anyhow.. interesting conversation for sure..

Western Europe would be great.. but not being a EU citizen.. kind of eliminates that.. could still do it.. but for that kind of poverty and struggles.. again i'd rather be in South America..

[FierceInvalid]

Personally, the only other countries I could see myself living in at the moment are Japan and Vietnam. Japan is similar to Korea in many ways, but what I really like about it is its vibrant arts scene. This trickles down, and crew in Japan have a style that I really dig. Plus you own your visa there, so you can change jobs if you end up getting a nasty surprise work-wise.

Vietnam is also cool, although more qualifications are required from what I've been able to gather. In regard to the getting harassed about rides on motorbikes and whatnot, I can't speak from personal experience but my roommate lived in VN for six months and he said this stopped happening to him. There just seems to be something about someone who lives in a place that makes it clear they aren't a tourist anymore.

All that being said, I'll be in Korea for some time I'd imagine...

[gajackson1]

Vietnam warning: I travelled extensively there for over a month last year, and occasionally teach with a man writing a book about the country:

While the country is beautiful, and the living is cheap (Bia Hoi!!!), you are ALWAYS under the thumb of the Party. Taxes are very high, and you can be moved or unemployed in a night's notice.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR MALES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN DATING/ENTERTAINING THE LOCAL LADIES!!!

Follow the others, & research it more, esp. LP's boards.

Regards,

G.

[Tiger Beer]

so jajdude.. where have you decided? seems like you�ve been thinking about it for quite awhile now..

[PEIGUY]

I never really looked into Japan, i seen posters up and around university on professors doors(who were profs of modern languages) advertising the JET program but i never really considered it. I mentioned wanting to teach ESL to my cousin who had a friend who had a good experience in Korea and it went on from there. I am not yet in Korea but i am planning on arriving in August. I think Japan would be interesting just for a while, if i like teaching ESL aftera year in Korea i might consider it.. the exchange is a bit better on the YEN.. Just seems to me that Korea offers more benefits??? (the appt, etc etc)

[Yaya]

[Tiger Beer]

[kangnamdragon]

[Yaya]

[jajdude]

[Dan]

I personally think it's a select few who can be satisfied to be an abroad ESL teacher for life.

Some day, you want to be in the place that you know with the people you are familiar with.

I dunno, that's my take on it.

[Yaya]

[VanIslander]

Think laterally.