Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ajuma]

I'm teaching several Korean professors, some of whom will be going on sabbatical in the US in the near future. Most of them have a pretty good command of English and we're working on common idioms and slang, but I'd like to give them some insights into the "culture" of university profs. Has anyone worked in a uni in the States? Could you give me some idea of what they can expect? Do the profs hang out with each other after hours? What are some usual, daily conversation topics? What can they expect both socially and academically? One or two will be "visiting professors". Any insights or ideas would be really helpful and greatly appreciated!

[peppermint]

I worked as a Research Assistant for a couple of professors while I was a student, and also got invited to dinner parties held by my professors once or twice. Am I qualified to comment?

At my uni, the department would hold mixers once every month or so, and that was a chance for undergrads, gradstudents and profs to mingle, and I think that was the main time that they'd socialize with colleagues in a sense that Koreans would relate to. (everyone wether you like them or no) Beyond that and a scattered departmental thing, my professors didn't seem to associate much- they all seemed to have a ton of other interests that kept them busy.

My professors were very friendly with more advanced students in the department, both undergrads and grad students. In my last year, two professors even threw class parties at their homes. (then again, I was in a special program with class sizes not above 30 people and sometimes less than 10)

Topics of conversation would probably be stuff like news, weather and maybe departmental issues or things related to their area of specialization.

[neandergirl]

Peppermint's pretty much covered it, in my experience. Although the frequency of departmental 'dos' given is high. As far as spending time outside of work, only if you liked the person or were interested in playing the politics game.

Discussion topics were the same as most work settings (weather, current events, the problem with students/administration, projects, papers, conferences, etc)

[ajuma]

Thanks for the comments! Keep them coming! I found, to my suprise, that Korean profs don't socialize with each other as much as I thought they did! Perhaps because I'm in a smaller university and there aren't as many professors per major (in my class, same-major collegues ranged from 2 to 7), but they don't seem to know their collegues very well. They ALSO don't know any of their support staff!!

I asked how often they go out with their students, and the majority said once a sememster for dinner. One prof only meets with her students in her office!

I DID let them know that US collegues and students are much freer in expressing their opinions to older collegues and teachers than they are here in Korea. When Korean professors here started teaching international students, they were quite suprised (not always pleasantly!) when students asked questions and challenged them in class. I'll prepare them for the cocktail party/mixers that they'll experience, and the meaning of "schmoozing"!!

[TECO]

as mentioned above,

you might want to caution them on the three areas to treat very carefully when mixing with strangers - sex, politicis and religion - or are they aware of that already?

Maybe you can also review feedback signals for when people are having a conversaiton with each other - this is an area where I personally find a lot of my students, whether they are Japanese, Chinese or Korea, need practice.

[vdowd]

May I suggest that you also teach these profs how to present themselves successfully at a mixer or dinner party. By this I mean eating habits that people will judge them by.

I find it a real turn off to see students, other teachers, directors, etc. eat with loud smacking noises and open mouths. Cover your mouths when you sneeze or cough, etc. I know most North American do not overlook these bad habits.

Just a thought. My Grade 1 (8 years old) advanced class know which fork to use for salad, spoon for soup and dessert, etc. because I taught them but their parents have no clue.

[Real Reality]

ajuma wrote,
"I'm teaching several Korean professors, some of whom will be going on sabbatical in the US in the near future."

So, when is the sabbatical for the professor of the professors?

Foreign scholars merit equal status
The foreign professor -- colleague or hired hand?
John B. Kotch, JoongAng Ilbo (June 14, 2002)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200206/14/200206142349223599900090109011.html

[ajuma]

I don't get a sabbatical....BUT!!!!! I don't have to write research papers to keep my position, I can move to another job at MY whim without loss of pay/benefits, I get FAR more vacation time than the K profs do, and have a LOT more freedom from administrative/sucking-up duties than they do. Be treated like a K prof??? No thanks!!!

[Zark]

You might want to let them know that getting falling down drunk and perhaps vomiting - is considered a "problem" and not "manly" as they might think. Even the dean (in his late 40's) at my uni here thinks that getting falling down drunk and having a massive hangover the next day is "cool."

[OiGirl]

I recently read a book titled something like Memoirs of an Expat Doctor. It's a really good description of a Korean's professional experiences in the US. I did a quick Google search and can't find it, but it was published by Jeonnam University Press. If you're really interessted, I can get the details this weekens.

[ajuma]

OiGirl, yeah, I WOULD be interested, thanks!

One other question: Do most US profs share an office or have their own?

Thanks Zark! I'll pass that along, too!

[neandergirl]

I imagine this depends on the particular university/department. Where I've work we've always had individual offices. However, I've known people who've shared an office with another prof.