Korean Job Discussion Forums

Homer · Guest

Simple enough poll...

Most of us came to Korea (originaly) for a year. We each had our reasons.

I was wondering how many of us came for year but ended up staying on longer and why did those people who stayed make their decisions.

bosintang · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 4:57 am Post subject:

Came for a year, and will finish my second year here (maybe), before moving on. It's very unlikely I'll stay after I finish this contract unless I find a wife or permanent reason to be here in the next month or two, and that's not likely.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

My original plan was to stay one or two years, then move on. My plan changed when I got kicked out after 6 months. I returned 9 months after that and stayed almost 10 years.

I often asked myself why. The best explanation I came up with for staying so long was that I enjoyed the lifestyle I had there. I had two jobs that gave me adequate money and lots of free time. But I think the biggest reason I stayed and the reason I'll probably return is that I made a lot of good friends whose lives were so different from mine. It was fun meeting people who were CEOs and military officers, science researchers... I liked watching a country build itself.

The reason I didn't feel the attraction to go to another country was knowing I'd have to spend a year in a hakwon before finding a decent job.

PolyChronic Time Girl · Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Location: Korea Exited

Came for a year and should have left after a year....a leave of absense from grad school for one year. However, I fell in love and now that "approved leave of absence" has turned into an official drop-out. Of course, you can't time love and you surely can't time life. Of course, I'm reapplying and going back to grad school this year, so no real harm done...I'll be the same student to my profs,just two years late and married to a non-English speaking Korean man.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Came for two and approaching my tenth anniversary. I stay because life is so easy and satisfying here.

Homer · Guest

As for me,

Came for 1 or 2 and been here since 1997.

Many reasons why. Fell in love with my wife, love my life here, fulfilling jobs (teacher and other) and this place basically became home for me. Now stuck with two homes (Canada and here).

No plans to go back in the near future.

mithridates · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 5:19 am Post subject:

Came for three months and have stayed for just about two years now. Surprised

ashke516 · Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Location: on the beach

I had originally planned on staying for just a year, but I'm now going on my second year here. If you had asked me a couple of months into my first contract, I would said there was no way I would stay past a year (and wasn't even sure if I would have stuck it out for the first year). Since then Korea has grown on me, I like it here and I've found a job that I really enjoy. Going to take it a year at a time, but I think I will be here for at least another two years.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Came for one, will start my 9th year next month.

I stayed because I met my wife and I have a very comfortable lifestyle with enough freetime to do all the things I want to, but would be unable to do back home.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Also came in 1997. Went back to Canada in 1998. Job scene not good. Came back. Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam along the way. Back in Korea. Thinking of leaving soon.

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

Came for one and into my fourth now. Who knows when I will leave.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Came in '96.....fell in love with a girl....what year is it?

Zyzyfer · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 6:59 pm Post subject:

Was coming to Asia to teach and live in several countries for around 5-10 years and net new experiences, and on my ninth month in I met the Chica. Still twiddling my thumbs waiting for the great escape. In the meantime, though, it's a mellow life.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Stayed for just on two. Don't know what I'm doing next. Learning korean to better myself while I see where the rest of my life takes me.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

came for 3 months as a restaurant/bar&cafe consultant. full filled my contract and came back 10 days later.. that was in 1997!
you do the math!
although I did leave once for 1.5 years..
and another time for 1 year..
have been here non stop for 4 years now.. took a 4 day vacation 2 months ago.. well over due hahahahah 4 DAYS!!!! NOT ENOUGH!!
but I have plans to go to europe this summer.. IBIZA BABY!!!!!