Korean Job Discussion Forums

[McSnack]

I'm approaching ten years in Korea and it's time to go home. I'm curious to hear about other people who have worked in Korea for a long time and made (or are soon making) the move back to their home countries. What kind of work they did when they got back, did they make good living at it, impressions, regrets, etc. I'm particularly keen on hearing about those who continued with ESL in the states.

For what it's worth, I've been teaching at a juco for the past 7 years, 5 of which have been as co-ordinator. I have an MA in Korean Studies from Yonsei's GSIS and a BA in English from a good school. My plan is to take Sookmyung Women's Uni TESOL diploma course this spring, transfer 12 credits fo that towards a TESOL MA from the University of Maryland, finish that up in a year and then look for a teaching job either with a university or college. I'd like to think that with my experience and education, I'd be able to find a good position -- the key with that however is "like to think" -- I've got lots of questions.

I've tried contacting a few uni/college co-ordinators in the states (it seems every uni/college has some sort of ESL program) but have yet to get a response.

Does anybody know what general salaries are like, how secure such postions are, how competitive the job market is? Or, if there are any other pearls of advice out there, I'd be happy to hear them.

Thanks.

[Real Reality]

Good luck.

Returning Home
http://www.expatexchange.com/returning.cfm

Going home isn't always best option by Gretchen Lang
Saturday, June 26, 2004
http://www.iht.com/articles/526658.htm

Expat Expert: Reading Room
http://www.expatexpert.com/readingroom.php

[JennyJJ]

I realize this isn't first hand, but I'll relate the experiences of a good friend who went back to the States about nine months ago.

He is well experienced. He taught most of his time in the Middle East, so was very used to high wages. Has an MATESOL. I worked with him indirectly for several years in Saudi Arabia - so I know he is a hard working hustler - a guy who can make things happen for himself and his family.

Bottom line: He's really struggling right now. Lots of part-time work, adjunct positions - very few well-paid full-time jobs. He works primarily at university or colleges.

Conversely, worked with a couple, also in Saudi, who both found good jobs at the same university. The difference may be that they went home when the economy was booming - he went home when it was sucking wind.

So, go figure. But do figure it may not be easy.

[mysteriousdeltarays]

I went back years ago. I had been teaching at a Japanese women's college (with tenure I might add, untill of course I quit.)

It was a huge mistake. All I can say is that the general perception at the time was that I mysteriousdeltarays of all people was either a traitor (this is if they knew what was going on) or alternatively, this would be the hoi polloi, people you just "meet" in the course of day to day affairs who just assumed I must have been either A) in prison or B) in a mental institution (not an improbable guess considering my behavior at times.)

I ended up after awhile just hanging outwith deranged ex-peacecorp workers from sub Saharan Africa and Japanese and Korean students.

What eye rolling I got at the University I taught at, the yawns, the change of topic always, always, always to sports. Those Cubbies, those Hawks!!!

Good luck getting a phone after all this time!

I ended up just coming over here.

How "bout those Cubbies?!!!

Go Hawks!

Incidently you are actually expected to mow the lawn there.

[Chonbuk]

McSnack

I think that you have the right plan....taking the courses in Korea, will assist you with your MED. Plus, the time at school will act as a bit of a buffer to settle you into your life.

Are you going back to where you lived previously or starting fresh in a new town/country?

Either way, it is not easy to meet people- That has been the most difficult thing for me. At school, all the Koreans hang together, and they don't really accept me as part of their group- It's hard to meet Aussies, cause they are not in my classes, and I rarely go out to pubs- Plus with the latest election results I'm not even too sure I'm interested in getting to know many of them- (offside)....


Work- what I have noticied is that there are a ton of jobs at the General English level- rate is about 25/hour OZ-

There is also a select market called EAP opening up quickly- To deal with all the International students- It is a prep course for grad and undergrad students entering English-environment uni's--- Falls under the heading ESP- I would suggest you taking at least one course in it-

For teaching, EAP is more interesting- students are motivated, and mostly already have a higher level of proficiency...

IF you are tired to teaching, than take some curriculum planning courses and start moving into management...

Life is so much slower in the West than in Korea, that I find is one of the most difficult things to adjust to-

Hope this helps you.

Cheers,

Chonbuk

[McSnack]

Thanks all. I cold-called (e-mailed) about a dozen coordinators at different uni/jucos asking if I could hit them up for advice and have gotten a couple of postive replies so far. Correspondence hasn't begun yet, but hopefully will be fruitful.

Chunbuk -- I'm looking to settle in, hopefully in the general area where I'm from. I have two small children and after going home for vacation this summer, I realized how much I want them to grow up where I did (as well as force them to mow the lawn when they're old enough). I like teaching but am also looking into adminstrative stuff -- international student affairs, international recruiting, etc.