Korean Job Discussion Forums

[urbanadventurer]

I have worked in two different centers in two different cities here in
South Korea (seoul and daegu). While I can imagine that some places
of employment here in South Korea may be... A-Okay, I will step out
on a limb and assume that my experience is probably more common in
South Korea than is not.

It is as clear as day that local staffs avoid regular interaction (particularly mid level to management) with foreign teachers (hallways, washrooms, classrooms, ceremonies, etc...). They are especially unwelcoming to foreign teachers who enter the local staff's office. In Seoul, the center director never even spoke to FT's!

Yup - I have considered issues relating to language barriers, cultural/social differences, "pure bloodlines", et cetera, as a means of coming to terms with this nonsense - but this is besides the point.

I am considering exploring the possibilities in Japan, and was just wondering if this is par for the course there too?

I do like my current job, but am not interested in renewing for another year because of the above... quirks. It's just kinda' strange sweeping such
underlying xenophobia under the rug for another year. I would rather
work in an environment that is slightly more welcoming.

Cheers!

[ThingsComeAround]

Everyone has different experiences and it is regrettable you feel this way.
My first year was similar to what you described.

Most teachers went out of their way to order food for themselves excluding foreigners from participating. It was abhorrent but the Koreans involved had no problems being direct about it. Later I ended up joining a clique of like minded waygoos and ignored the rude Koreans.

Could it be cultural ignorance, bigotry, or plain social awkwardness? Don't know & don't care. I stayed three years after leaving that particular school and didn't notice an issue at other places.

We all want a welcoming environment, but nowhere is perfect. What are you doing now? How well do you speak the local language? What do you do outside? What is it you talk about when you do speak to your Korean colleagues?

I'm guessing you are at a hakwon? The center director does not have to be warm & friendly- that's not how Korean businesses operate (nut rage, hint hint). Try talking about things your co-workers like, or some silly K-drama, or a particular Korean restaurant you enjoy. Things might get better.

Things might change when you go to Japan. Then again, it could be more of the same.

[Brooks]

Well I work in Japan. Some teachers are friendly and some are not.
My boss prefers to speak to me in Japanese, not English, even though that is what she teaches.

The previous boss was better, but he retired.

You get vibes that certain teachers don't like certain foreigners, i.e. people from the east coast of the US who can be direct, which they think is vulgar.

At this school, foreigners who seem to do better keep their opinions to themselves and always defer to the Japanese teachers who are older than them.

Osaka people can be friendly. Tokyo people can be stuck up.

[metalhead]

Why limit yourself to Japan? The Chinese are friendlier and less xenophobic than Koreans for the most part, you'd also find the Taiwanese more friendly, and the Vietnamese - well, basically anywhere that is not Korea.

[Brooks]

Well you may prefer Taiwan. The problem is making money and dealing with Taipei pollution.
Compared to Tokyo, Taiwan is so mellow and
refreshing compared to Japan. The Japanese can be so uptight and defensive.

The hard part is dealing with the summer, since it feels like a sauna.
An air conditioner is needed.

The other thing is you better be a native speaker of English. I knew a Russian who had his visa revoked.

[urbanadventurer]

Greetings Y'all,

I appreciate your comments.

I actually was in China for two years before coming to South Korea.

I found the Chinese to be quite warm, and quick to throw a smile (most of the time) when greeted
- even with the language barrier! Clearly, the Chinese are more comfortable in their own shoes
than the Koreans.

China of course has it's own set of quirks: counterfeit-everything (including medicine), crazy bad air quality,
food safety...

Ultimately, I had to leave China because of the air quality there. I was hospitalized on two separate occasions - for a week
at a time with pneumonia ! Otherwise, I might still be there - in Shanghai perhaps (?).

It might be worth pointing out that the two centers were I worked in China (Guangzhou & Shenzhen) held a center meeting
every Friday - which included both the academic team (FT's), and all local staff (including sales & management).
It should also be pointed out that the company was western owned. But even outside of the meetings - local and foreign staff regularly
mingled, some even becoming roommates!

When I left China, I originally wanted to explore Thailand (I was prepared to take a major cut in pay), but they were in the middle of one of their coups, so I opted
to give South Korea a Whirl instead.

If I thought China was alright, I have a feeling that I might like Taiwan. But then there's the air !!! I have the impression though that it's not as bad as the
mainland (?).

Regarding Japan, I am beginning to feel that Japan might have some of the same issues as Korea in terms of the dynamic (or lack there of) between local and foreign staffs (?)
Perhaps the available amenities in some of the Japanese cities help to balance things out though.

I must say that I have experienced a couple of extraordinary random acts of kindness in Seoul - by complete strangers (Koreans), that will forever be etched in my heart!

I have four months left on my current contract, and unless I happen score on a coveted university gig here in SK, then I will probably plant boots on the ground in either Taipei
or Bangkok while also sending off some resumes to Japan. I am no spring chicken (creepin' up on fiddy!) so I do realize that even with my experience and certifications - that I can't be too picky !!!

[trueblue]

[wonkavite62]

Urban Adventurer, I taught in Korea, Japan and China. I can sympathise with you to an extent about the tendency of Korean staff to segregate themselves. By the way, I did not feel this anything like so much the first time I was there, some years ago.
Before coming to Japan, I had taught in Jecheon, 2.5 hours from Seoul. I was part of a large friendly group of foreigners and a few Koreans, who were very welcoming.That was social life. I worked in a cheap, dodgy hagwon. It was too small for there to be that kind of segregation. oUTSIDE OF WORK, I noticed little things, like people coming up to me at random in a bar or supermarket to chat.
In Tokyo, that did not usually happen. I could go to Doutor or Starbucks everyday and the staff would act like machines. They would not recognise me or realise I was going to ask for espresso. I did make friends with a few Japanese people, but that took quite a bit of time. I thought Japan was much more formal than Korea.
I worked for an eikaiwa=hagwon, in Tokyo. At first I really enjoyed the work, but it grew to be a pain in the neck: some students really loved my classes, but there were fussy parents who complained about tiny little details. The idea was that if it does not fit into the cookie cutter, it does not compute, this is highly illogical and therefore impossible.
One blessing of Korea is you don't have to worship the god of key money. Going to the housing agency to pay a huge deposit feels like sacrificing to some evil demon. At the eikaiwa, they took the deposit out of my salary. It was not pleasant. I had to use my credit card. Never again!
I found some of the Japanese colleagues were really nice, some were awful. But being my colleagues, they DID at least interact.
When I returned to Korea, in 2013, it was too late to experience the best of the TEFL boom. I was teaching in 3 public schools. In one of the schools I found the staff deliberately avoided me. Outside school it was really hard to make friends. The Koreans were focussed on their own family. The western people were mostly in closed cliques. I would go to Seoul at the weekends and meet friends who would talk about the most amazing things, and that is what I miss about Korea. In Seoul, and certainly some other parts of Korea, it can be as friendly as it was a few years ago. This was truly amazing and made my year in Korea more worthwhile. But in other places Koreans just won't interact at all. That's a problem