Korean Job Discussion Forums

[margaret]

I'm in Korea now but thinking about China next. I've posted a similar question on the general forum about living in each place so this is for the question of working: what are the pros and cons of each? I'd like to hear from all who have worked in both places. I'd trade making more money for having more time.
Margaret

[Saxiif]

Well China's a big country to conditions are very very different depending on wether you're in Shanghai or some city in the interior.

But in general I'd take Korea because:
-Because of the exchange rates you can save a lot of money in Korea, in China don't bother.
-Koreans are more used to dealing with foreigners than Chinese.
-Korean wongjangnims are often scum but everything I've heard makes me think that Chinese ones aren't any better.

[JacktheCat]

[margaret]

Yes, I have 2 main reasons for considering China. One is that I'm working too long and hard. My boss works even harder and longer--almost constantly, and I think Koreans work at least too long an maybe too hard in general for me. I'm not motivated to save money so I'd rather have the time off. I also prefer drier counrty--desert and grasslands, so I'm thinking about northwestern China.
Margaret

[tomwaits]

Just one thing. Often in China there will be no set material to follow---it's all up to you. So it might be good to think about what you are going to teach. I would suggest hitting the bookstores before going---it will be money well spent.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

China is Korea on steroids.

If you can't hack Korea, there would be no way in "H-E double hockey sticks" one would survive in China.

Check out the China board and ask a few people about what they think of working in China. Most will say they like it, but only because they are long-timers or in modern cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, etc.

I'm going to go back to Korea next year when my contract is finished. My Chinese is at a level where I am happy, and the racism and anti-Japanese and anti-American crap the news spills out is intollerable.

Although it IS nice to have SUPER CHEAP living and a nice lifestyle. This is the first time I have ever been "rich".

[some waygug-in]

I think a lot depends on where you go in China, what kind of person you are and what expectations you have. I personally have 2 friends who have worked there and 1 who still works there. China has its problems to be sure, but my friend says he would never come back to Korea.

He was here for 2 years before going, so he has enough time in both countries to compare.

He says he makes enough to live quite well, and has a lot more free time than he did in Korea. Chinese have a lot more holidays than Koreans.
As far as the culture and racism, yeah, there's a lot of it, but he finds the culture a 1000 times more interesting than Korea and there are actually places worth visiting, things to do and see.
He is planning on getting married this coming year and staying there long term.

My other friends who left China........ well, one vowed never to go back, and the other says she misses some things about China now.

My hat goes off to anyone who has done it. You have a lot more guts than I do.

I guess the best thing you can do is contact a lot of people who are there, find out what they think. That will probably be your best indicator.

Good Luck

[Snowkr]

This is a great topic. I worked in China and now want to go to Korea.. at least I think I do.

I totally expected the replies to be the opposite... favoring Korea more so over China. To each his/her own I suppose and it does depend on the city/location.

Where is a good place to work and live in Korea, anyone?

[Ya-ta Boy]

[pest2]

Well, as many of the posters have said here, it depends on what you want and what you like:

China pros:

-you can be rich because the money you earn will be relatively so much greater than the average salary where you live

-if you work in a small town around the countryside, you will become something of a celebrity and people will all want to talk to you (is that good though?)

-if you work in a city like Shanghai or BJ, there are actually more foreigners than there are in Korea so, contrary to what was said by someone else here, they're more used to you.

Also in places like SH or BJ, the night life is much much better and things like bars, clubs, subways, and buses stay open and run much longer.. In Korea, everything shuts down at 11 since that is when all the women between the ages of 18 and 35 must return home to thier mothers.

-Chinese aren't xenophobic like Koreans so it maybe easier to make Chinese friends. Same goes for Chinese and dating.

-It's easier to find part-time work that pays well in China. Also it's easier to work w/out the year-long contract.

-In my opinion, there's more to see in China; the Great Wall, Tianamen Sq. Tibet and the Himalayas, etc...


China Cons:

-Its much dirtier in China

-People tend to have a more self-absorbed mentality... they aren't as connected to all the other people in the society; they can seem kind of selfish at a macro-sociological level. This is due to historical events such as the cultural revolution and the enormous size and diversity there.

-driving and getting around China can be a nightmare compared to the situation in Korea. The only traffic law anyone in China follows is called, "watch out". Public and mass transit is far inferior in China; trains are dirty and overcrowded. Same with subways.

-It is much more likely you will be laid off from work in China. (but it is again easier to find replacement work...)

-There is much more crime in China.



Also:

If you're married and/or with kids, go to Korea but if you're single go to China.

[jajdude]

[Snowkr]

Thanks for the quick replies. I had a god experience in China as I was in a pretty awesome city called Hangzhou... unfortunately for me, I got sick there and even their best western hospital could not do much for me.

As I've not been to Korea, are there any certain places that should be avoided?

[Wishmaster]

I've never had an interest in going to China. The dichotomy there is just too weird. Why slave away at an ESL job for a pittance? I've heard that around $500 bucks a month is the norm there. If so, with the cheap living, I'm sure that you could live like a king...but your bank account back home is going to be mighty small.

[jajdude]

China pros:

-you can be rich because the money you earn will be relatively so much greater than the average salary where you live
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jaj: But not save much.
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-if you work in a small town around the countryside, you will become something of a celebrity and people will all want to talk to you (is that good though?)
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jaj: Can they talk to you? In a small town? English?
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-if you work in a city like Shanghai or BJ, there are actually more foreigners than there are in Korea so, contrary to what was said by someone else here, they're more used to you.
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jaj: Not what I heard exactly, but I haven't been there. I heard the stares are 10 times what you get in Korea, even in Beijing.
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Also in places like SH or BJ, the night life is much much better and things like bars, clubs, subways, and buses stay open and run much longer.. In Korea, everything shuts down at 11 since that is when all the women between the ages of 18 and 35 must return home to thier mothers.
==============================================
jaj: Nightlife is better? Sounds good.
But everything in Korea shuts down at 11 pm? Where? In the sticks perhaps.

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-Chinese aren't xenophobic like Koreans so it maybe easier to make Chinese friends. Same goes for Chinese and dating.
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jaj: I don't know, just what I heard: Great Wall of Whiner and others have a different opinion?

Anyway 2 insular and closed societies, both xenophobic.
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-It is much more likely you will be laid off from work in China. (but it is again easier to find replacement work...)
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jaj: In Korea, you can almost always find a job within a week or two. But maybe it takes a month to get one you think will be good for a year.
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Also:

If you're married and/or with kids, go to Korea but if you're single go to China.
===============================================
jaj: Why do you say that?

[Snowkr]

What is the cost of living like in Seoul? I would imagine it to be kind of expensive but I know salaries in Korea are much higher than in China. I agree that it's very hard to save anything in China.

What about the cities surrounding Seoul? I've already posted a topic on a place called Wonju. I may be working there this summer.

How expensive is it to eat/buy western food ( I don't mean fast food) in Korean cities, large or small? What about medical facilities? Are they all like these crowded hospitals or do they actually have doctor clinics and specialist offices where you can schedule appointments?

Is travel around Korea expensive? What about traveling from Korea to other Asian countries?
I'll stop with the questions now. I appreciate the quick responses and information. Please keep them coming!