Korean Job Discussion Forums

[monkeybear]

It seems that people go to Korea for a wide variety of reasons and many of those leave after their one-year contract is completed. But for those of you who have decided to stay longer than a couple of years, what is it that has kept you in country? And then, for those that haven't returned to their birth country, is there anything that you miss or have you adjusted to the Korean culture enough that you don't need "western" conveniences any longer?

~JD~

[Demophobe]

What has kept me here for 9 years? My wife, a good lifestyle, good job....being happy. Quality of life here is pretty good....as good as anywhere.

I am also not a "lifer"...just a temp. My wife and I have many investments here which we will capitalize on when the time is right. Our plan is to move to Canada at that time, with a nice mass of money to buy a home. It's easier for me to work in Korea than for my wife to work in Canada, so we chose this route to make our nestegg. In the meantime, I enjoy being wherever I am...living is what I am into, not so much about where I do that.

It's also about commitments...I have made some decisions in the same way we make decisions about any road we take in life. Keep faith in the Lord to keep my path true, weigh the pros and the cons and go from there. I am committed to my wife and my future, and Korea affords me the joys of doing all I want.

It's what you make of it, really. Learn the language....this is paramount to enjoying the country, the culture and the people. If you can't speak the language, how can one survive for a long time? Without the language, we are like infants. This feeling gives way to anger and bitterness and isolation....three big hurts here. Those feelings fester if not remedied.

Korea affords me many great opportunities...I can work part-time and still earn a decent wage...this gives me time to do things (study) I wouldn't be able to do in Canada.

I don't miss the west....sure, some foods and bits of culture, but the internet and friends can give me all I need...order the food I want, talk to my friends and family, watch Canadian news...all online...meet some friends occasionally...there is enough of the west avaliable for me. I have met some really great people here from all over the world; some that I wouldn't have met in my hometown.

I just like it here....I am no "apologist"...that implies there is something to apologize for, when in fact, Korea is what it is...like it or leave it. It's not changing overnight, but it is changing. All of the racism threads here these days...I can understand them, but haven't experienced it myself...at least, not in a bad way. I smile a lot, carry a positive attitude and just try to look up...Koreans are pretty good to me. I keep in mind to control what I can, and try not to get stressed about what I can't. Keep things in perspective....like my sig says....not my circus, not my monkeys...worry only about what you can change. If a Korean is bad to me, just don't see him/her again. Why empower them any more than that?

Korea requires patience, even-temperedness, some forgiveness (because I don't understand, usually) and a lot of persistance. I don't have any of these good characteristics in abundance, so Korea is good for me.

I went back to Canada with my wife for a year and was making about the same money teaching in a college. It was a great year and it was a real eye-opener after being here 5 years without a trip home. I missed Korea. There are many things I love about Canada, but at this point in life, Korea has more to offer. Later, when I am old, I want to and will retire in Canada. I will die there. Right now, however, I have much to do, and Korea is where I am going to get it done.

Wow...long, disjointed post. Sorry about that. I doubt I speak for every long-term resident here, but perhaps we do share some ideas. I hope that some of the other old-timers can post in this thread. I am as interested as anyone.

[hellofaniceguy]

Good reply.... My sentiments exactly! And I am sure that many others share the same opinion.

[Mashimaro]

[Corporal]

[weatherman]

I find with more and more time the things I miss from home aren't what I thought. Having been home a few years ago and trying out activities and foods that I thought I missed, I found out that I really didn't miss them and they were not as great as my mind conjured them up to be. I find that I am better off with my Korean life style (missus the beer) than with any form it might take back home. I have stayed because in general Korea agrees with me. I have a definite intrinsic happiness here that I don't feel back home. As for my personal time, I have wasted too much working a boring job that doesn't push me, have drank a bit too much and have seen how an easy schedule isn't the best thing in life or to one's saving account. I am looking forward to opening up a new chapter for my time in Korea, hopefully after 8 full years here, I can make it all work.

[Squid]

Corporal, good baby products are common here... how else would they treasure the little princes and princesses so?

At least the wife and I have not had difficulty finding them... strangely excepting a bouncer, if you're familiar with them.

[Demophobe]

[Ghosts....

[Mashimaro]

[Demophobe]

[Swiss James]

[Demophobe]

[Corporal]

[dutchman]

Reasons my wife and I have stayed in Korea for nine years:

High-income
High savings rate - Not nearly as many toys to tempt me (things like a boat, jet ski, lawnmower ...). Don't feel any compulsion to 'keep up with the Joneses'.
Low child care cost - 25 hours a week for $150!
Proximity to Korean family - We will eventually move back to the USA but we wanted our kids and their Korean grandparents to form somewhat of a bond before we leave.
Language - We want our kids to have a good Korean language foundation to build on.

Reasons my wife and I are leaving next year:

We've reached our savings goal. - YAY!
Need a change and a new challenge - We are both extremely sick of teaching English.
Education for kids - My son will start school next year and it won't be in a Korean public school. Private school here is far too expensive.
Parenting - My wife wants more time with the kids. She won't work for at least a couple of years in the USA.
Sick of being looked at - It wears on me. I'm tired of walking down the street and feeling the heads turn to look at me, our two kids and then my wife.
I want my toys. -

[Mashimaro]