Korean Job Discussion Forums

[meltinbradley415]

Hello everyone,
Im thinking about teaching abroad in Korea. I was trying to find a position in Latin America but the latinos dont hustle like the Koreans do therefore I spent hours and hours looking for jobs in Latin America with little or no success. If I cant go where I want to go be with my girl, then I might as well end our relationship and make the most money that I can and Korea looks like that it might be that choice.
With all that said, do any of you think its realistic to go to a country I know nothing about and have no interest in? Im not saying I have a negative perspective on Korea, I just dont really care. Its not something I think about. At this point the only drive for Korea I have is the fact that I can set up a home base there and during vacation travel through out Asia, a continent I havent explored in detail.
For anyone who is there now, I do have some more specific questions:
Is there a scuba diving scene?
Is there a strong dance scene? example, breakdancing, popping, house dancing.
Is there a strong electronic music scene?
a hip hop scene?
How do Koreans in general respond to foreigners? I am a Latino, but im tall and probably look more white, or lets go with Italian.
Any names for big cities that are near national parks or places that have lots of natural beauty for photography?
Im from San Francisco, therefore very spoiled in terms of weather conditions. Is there a area that never falls below 40 degrees but never gets above 80? Im not into really hot weather, nor am i into real cold weather, as long as its not year round I think I can deal with real seaons.
Are there any general stereotypes that are true about Koreans and their culture? positive and negative.
Ive heard they think they are the best on the planet, they are very nice, and that they are all clones and robots with no creativity and imagination. (These are not my words)
In terms of schools:
public or private?
How heavy is the work load? If I were to sleep 8 hours, work 8 hours, practice dance for 2 hours and go to the gym for 2 hours would that left over 4 hours be for relaxing, eating, exploring or would I be grading papers and building curriculum?
Finally, in USA, asian american women would not give me the time of day. Ive been to Japan and was equally unsuccessful with the women, until they saw me dance, but if a woman rejects me then sees me dance and she recognizes me and all of a sudden becomes buddy buddy with me, I wont talk to her.
Will I be reduced to prostitution and masterbation for a year? Or are the Korean women more open minded?
Thanks everyone for your help.
peace
MB.

[escarole]

If you decide to work for a smaller private school (hagwon), a non-chain one with fewer than 5 full time employees, beware that Korean labor law apparently exempts such employers from following several parts of the Korean Labor Standards Act.

[fermentation]

Assuming you not trolling,

[amnsg2]

You might like Busan. It's a big city, so you can find the things you want to do but since it's on the coast and down South you can enjoy the nice weather. It's beautiful, too.

I prefer hagwon because I like small classes, and there's less prep work (public school teachers get given a lot of projects, like camps and making schedules that hagwon teachers don't get much of). However, vacation time is much better in public school, and you could get a lot of reading/ studying Korean/ facebook done during the day whereas in a hagwon you could be on your feet for hours. Most people seem to agree that public school is better.

[Teelo]

I strongly advise befriending someone who already works in korea so they can show you the ropes, or at least going with someone. The locals/your school won't be overly helpful.

[meltinbradley415]

Thanks everyone for your insight.

Escarole- I was sent the difference between private and public schools from a recruiter the other day. I do like the smaller class sizes, but I think the public route would make more sense to me.

Fermentation- I dont understand, is there something that I said that makes it seem like I was "trolling"? Im not much of a internet person, so I just try to be honest even if some questions might seem simple. For example, Latin America to me doesnt have a good electro scene, a pretty shitty dance scene and a mild hip hop scene. Where as Japan excels in almost all those areas.
I think I can deal with only a hot and humid summer, I just dont want it to be like where my grandma lives in Mexico, hot and humid 9 months out of the year. 3 months of that is something I think I can do.
Well, depending on how much sun I get ill transform, if I stay out of the sun i can be tall dark italian type. If i get sun ill transform to a middle eastern. I can be one of those guys where youre not sure what race he is.
As for the dancing, well, ive been told im good, bad, unique, My best weapon is I dont dress the part and Im a geek some thats fun for me. But I have toured in Europe, Japan, Mexico, and South america, and Judged in Argentina, so im pretty solid. There are others way better then me. I went abstract in my older age and people tell me I was way better before, but I actually think i have a better understanding of my dance and body now then before. Before I did it to impress others and women, now I do it to try to take it to the next level and its kind of like being a painter, painting a new style and no one respects it or understands it but maybe 20 years down the line people will get it.

Amnsg2- I did some research on Busan, I liked what I read and the pictures I looked at. I do like the ocean and a big city is a bonus for me, as I love nature, I also am a city boy at heart.

Teelo- Thats a good idea. I was hoping that the locals/my school would be helpful, but if not then finding someone who has been there and done that is a good option.
Thanks again everyone, now on to some more questions:

What is a typical work day like teaching in a public school? Does the 8 hour day (I hope its not more) consist of teaching AND prep time?

Are the kids roudy and disrespectful like the ones in USA? Will I have to strong arm kids for trying to stab other students with scissors?

Is teaching English more conversational or is it grammer, conversation, writing?

I was told that I might have a Korean teacher helping me, or is it the other way around? Is that helpful even if the teachers dont gel well?

[tardisrider]

[meltinbradley415]

tardisrider- hhahahaha, you got me.

[Teelo]

I know you're referring to english teachers with incorrect english. On an unrelated note, as an educated gamer, things like this make me weep for humanity:

http://highper.ch/?id=Stab%20with%20anticlimactic%20ending

[sojusucks]

You need breakdancing? Go on with your bad self.

[ArgentineDreams]

Hey meltinbradley415,

I am a light skinned Latino from California also, (like you said in your post.) I have been in Seoul for almost 5 months now. Both of my parents are from Mexico, but for my whole life I have often been mistaken for Spanish or Italian, or Argentinian because of my light complexion and name. I also have slightly Asian looking eyes so sometimes people think I am some mix. However in my case, with most of the Koreans (especially students- the people you will spend hours with) see me as a white, English speaking American.

Regardless of my Spanish sounding name, most Koreans haven�t noticed it; here I am a white person in their eyes who only speaks English until I explain my ethnic background and speak Spanish. They perceive race differently here than in the US. In fact today one of my students said;

�Teacher, you are white, but you have black hair�WHY?� I told her to guess why my hair is black and she thought my mother was Korean, and my dad was white. (This translates into the dating scene too.) I have never had luck with Asian Americans in California as a Latino, but here they see me as something else. First, and above all, they see me as a foreigner to Korea of course. Now, I have a Korean girlfriend who appreciates my duality with cultures though. A good way to flirt with them is to teach them a little Spanish

Public and private schools are very different, I suggest to do tons of research online because so much can be said, you will find such diverse answers. Also remember to differentiate between actual teaching hours and prep hours. Prepping could take 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on the class material. Also, actual teaching hours can take a lot out of you, especially depending on the atmosphere of the class;

Are they all excellent students with something to say and are respectful to you?

Are they dead zombies who don�t say a word?

Or are they an army of elementary school children who can�t go longer than 30 seconds without standing up during class to dance and yell out Big Bang lyrics� You have to be ready for anything.

On a side note, I have never had Korean food before in my life before I came to Korea- and let me tell you~~ me encanta la comida Mexicana, pa� mi es lo mejor- but Korean food has become my second favorite food ever. If you like spicy foods, you will love Korean food. That spicy food connection exits.

I am a city person too, and Seoul is awesome. Gooduck with job hunting and going through the Visa process. If you have any questions you can write here or PM me.

[The Sultan of Seoul]

I sincerely advise writing in praragraphs.

I couldn't get past the first few setences of that wall of text.