Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Pateach]

Here's a question:
My recruiter called me recently to check on me. Her opinion was that month two is the hardest adjustment period as the novelty is wearing off and one is still very ignorant of the language and culture. I also wonder if the adjustment period depends on your work schedule and the weather when you arrive. Now to that question:
Which month of year 1 would veterans generally suggest is the most challenging?

[kangnam mafioso]

i would say months 3-5 might be the hardest, but expect challenges the whole time. i never found that everything came crashing down one month or anything ... i had ups and downs from time to time the whole duration i was there ... not to sound like it was completely unstable the whole time because it wasn't.

[xCustomx]

For me it was month 1 because I came here on my own, not knowing anyone. I was eating 재육덮밥 and 순두부지개 every day for about 2 weeks until I discovered what other korean food there was. I remember going out to interviews all over Seoul, feeling lost at times. THe other part that sucked was coming in February, when it was especially cold. After the first month, I felt I had my bearings set (not completely, but more than the first 2-3 weeks), I could order food, met a few people. Now, nothing really stresses me out or presents difficulty except work

[jlb]

First month for sure. Not knowing anyone, not knowing how to read Korean, getting ripped off becauese you don't know where to shop, figuring out the subway and buses, etc, etc. It was new and exciting but overwhelming and scary at the same time.

I think the time gets easier and easier once you meet a few people and have some people to fill your time with and to be able to have a real conversation.

[John Henry]

Months 3 and 9.

Three cuz the newness starts to wear, and you start noticing a ton of shit that bothers you.

Nine because you see the light at the end of the tunnell, but it's so far away. Also, at this point, you've made some good friends, and they are starting to leave. FAlso also, you are close enough to the end of your contact that you don't want to leave without your bonus.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

For me it was also months 3-5 after the biatch supervisor left and I actually started trying hard to teach. This also coincided with my Korea honeymoon period coming to an end. Using initiative and trying to improve things at a hogwan never goes down well. In the end I found out that the real problems lay with the boss and month 6 I quit.

In my second and now third contract there have only been good, excellent, and fantastic months.