Korean Job Discussion Forums

[creeper1]

The global economic meltdown has brought lots of changes.

I remember when I first arrived it was 90% male and 10% female for ESLers.

THat's all changed within only 4 years and now I'd say its more 65% - 35%.

Most people went home to pursue their careers after only 1 year. Almost all were in their early 20s.

What I suspect is that ESLers are staying here longer these days. Even renewing after the grand old age of 30.

And they are becoming a little more professional too. Although the majority I would still consider as little more than drunken backpackers, I have met a few qualified teachers here recently.

Thoughts?

[Airborne9]

I have noticed a bigger number in women. But I think that there are more younger ESL teachers here. When I came here I was 22 and that was considered really young, but these days I meet many 22 year olds. More than I used to. Although I have only been here for about 3 years so others might have a different opinion

[tran.huongthu]

More younger un-qualified workers and the old-timers, as you would put it, are much more qualified these days. Either you are older and qualified or young, unqualified and just happy to have a job. There is definitely a push towards more women in the workplace and that is brining the number closer to a 50-50 split between women and men. Personally I see more opp in China in the long run.

[myenglishisno]

I wish I met more ESLers over the age of 24/25 to be honest. About 95% of the ones I meet are in their early to mid 20s.

It's funny that you say backpackers, though. One thing I noticed that surprised me about some people I've met recently was how unlike backpackers they were. Sure, they got drunk four nights a week so the drunken aspect holds true but the thing is, is that they aren't travelers by any stretch. They have zero-to-no interest in Korea, other cultures, Asia or anything and when they do travel, it's for food and beaches, not historical places or culture. They're just here because the money is good, the booze are cheap, the responsibility is (usually) low and because the night life is beginning to resemble back home more and more.

I knew a group of early-20 somethings in Korea a few months ago who went to Thailand for two weeks. I thought that they'd have lots of interesting stories but from what I gathered, they spent the entire time on the beach getting drunk with the occasional zip lining or moped riding excursion.

I guess my problem is that most of the ESLers I meet are just hedonists. They work to fund their social life and that's the extent of it. I want to meet inspiring foreigners here and I have, it's just that you really have to dig to meet interesting people.

[The Floating World]

[myenglishisno]

[nick70100]

[myenglishisno]