Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cronolegs]

I am from the UK and ive done a lot of travelling since uni.

3 months backpacking in Africa in the remote of remotest places on earth. Bit of time in Australia which was too expensive and then 1 year in Vietnam because I couldn't bring myself to leave the place.

The thing I loved about Africa and Vietnam in particular is the relaxed approach to life and general disregard of rules and personal safety. It brings a smile to my face and suits my personality perfectly.
I am not a rule breaker but I am someone who enjoy's freedom and comedy on the streets (that motorbike with a mum/dad/2 kids and a dog... you know the drill). I tend to have the philosophy of "life is cheap".

Korea has always been on my "to go list" mainly due to its advanced technology (im an IT grad/ past computer nerd). But Ive been reading a few threads here.. mainly "Things you will NEVER get used to here" and suddenly got cold feet that I am going to the wrong place.

I did have a school lined up but a delay in the post for my paperwork caused me to get replaced. So I have a final chance to go back to Vietnam instead of being adventurous and going to Korea.

Sooo I want to know if Korea is uptight and "by the books" or does it have a sense of freedom and randomness that I have come to love in poorer countries.
From the small description of myself in this post. Do you think Korea may suit me or am I going to feel suffocated by rules and regulations?

[The Floating World]

In all honesty based on the insight to what you're looking for that you gave, I'd say Korea would be too sterile for you and is the reason I'm moving to Shanghai.

BUT it doesn't have to be a zero sum game.

You could come, see if you like it and if not, leave for elsewhere.

I would compare going to Korea instead of Vietnam like going to Belgium instead of Barcelona.

Korea is nice, convenient,clean, safe and sure there is some whacky spitting, shoving and whacky driving, but on the whole compared to places like the nam, a bit dull. Less dull than my home country (UK) but certaily somewhat less exciting than China or Vietnam.

Good luck.

[ThingsComeAround]

OP- you should give it a year and try it out...

Also being an IT grad, I find the tech industry here to be sterile (ActiveX, anyone?) but out in the country you could find that Korea is what you were looking for plus high speed internet

[byrddogs]

Is there any possibilty of going to Korea on a tourist visa to see what you are getting into if you plan on working? Based on your post, it might be a let down. Korea is a great country, but there is a reason so many people that are under contracts to teach look forward to vacationing elsewhere (ie...SE Asia). Good luck, either way, op.

[edwardcatflap]

Check the life expectancy data for countries you're interested in as that should give you a pretty good idea of how often people disregard rules and personal safety. Korea comes in at 78.6, which is better (ie lower) than most of Euope though a bit worse (ie higher) than the US. Vietnam looks fairly anarchic at 71.5, though in this area Cambodia at 57.3 looks like a real riot.

[The Floating World]

[I-am-me]

Keep Moving along!