Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Trevor]

I am a mid-career ESL convert who hates what is going on in the United States. I am a refugee of the financial services industry (aaaccchhh) with lots of practical business experience as well as teaching ability.

I got my first contract to go teach Winter Camp in Seoul for a month and hopefully when that happens I will be able to decide if I want to do this permanently.

Trouble is, I am not sure any big city - Asian or otherwise is - what I am looking for. I hear Koreans can be rude and obnoxious and I don't need a big city to do my thing. Politically, I am beginning to get the impression that South Korea is a puppet government for the country that I wish to abdicate....and maybe it doesn't make much sense to emigrate to a country that is trying to emulate the country that I wish to leave. Capiche? I am considering Japan as well, but the whole political thing there seems to be a big suck-up to Uncle Sam as well...

Anyway, I need some advice on long-term habitation in Asia. Has anyone been to Thailand or Laos or Cambodia? I am thinking of finding a quiet village and living out my life there, teaching english and perhaps taking on other roles in a local economy. Where can I find quality of life, decent working conditions, great people and the least amount of bullshit?

[cruisemonkey]

Almost any mythical place on earth that is not a real country - James Hilton wrote about it.

[kangnam mafioso]

there are plenty of more beautiful and easy-going countries than korea or japan to teach esl in. the problem is money. in thailand, you will be paid $600 a month if you're lucky. a village in cambodia? you're lucky to get $4 an hour and free rice. unless you have a trust fund that is about to kick in, i suggest going somewhere to teach where you can save cash and take long sabbaticals to chill places like laos or the philippines. get a base in seoul (where you get free housing and $2,000+ a month) and split during the summers to the jewel of southeast asia. why be broke and trapped in a 3rd-world village when you could be living like a king there during your vacations?

[Tiger Beer]

[billbraski]

[Ya-ta Boy]

[desultude]

I'm waiting for some real bashing to come out of the closet here, regarding your anti-U.S. (under the current regime) sentiments. Meanwhile, I'll confess to sharing them.

I've been in Korea for three years now, and I find that, between my non-U.S. friends here (most of my colleagues are from other English speaking countries) and my Korean colleagues and students, I feel quite removed from the "reality" of the U.S. This is especially pronounced at this time of the year, when the idea of Christmas is vaguely present in occasional store displays, but otherwise a non issue. No mad shopping and advertising, no big pressure from family, etc. The only discussion I have, for the most part, about politics is on this board, and that is getting less and less for me.

I am giving serious consideration to getting a place in Thailand to spend my holidays, and maybe eventually settle. If you can land a decent uni job, you will have between 2-5 months a year holiday to chill in other parts of Asia. (I am sure that the concept of "chill" cannot be translated into the Korean language.)

As for Koreans being rude, I find that I often feel much more rude as an American. Seriously. There are so many layers to being polite here, that it is hard to know when you have crossed one of the lines. My Korean colleagues and students are really kind to me. If a student comes to my office for some extra help, they always bring a drink or some rice cakes, and sometimes things like apples from the family farm, homemade strawberry jam or yoghurt. They bow to me, won't smoke in front of me,and won't eat until I start (being oldest and also being the professor).

I am sure that I am lumped together with other "korea apologists" here on the board, but I like Koreans. That being said, it is not the most joyful country, and if you want real warmth and smiles, Thailand is a good antidote to the seriousity of Koreans.

[Trevor]

Thanks for your response. It is helpful to know that someone with experience is thinking about the same thing I am - that is, a Uni job in Thailand. I applied to three of them today.

As for my anti-american sentiments that some have reacted to adversely, all I can tell you is that I would be prepared for some very ugly scenes in the next five years as the world begins to really how much damage has been done to our atmosphere and environment and how little the Untied States has committed to do anything about it -- going so far as pointing the finger to third world countries for not doing enough when they are not producing even onethousandth of the pollutants that we are.

And that's just the environment...

My prediction: Ten years from now several south east asian countries are going to start refusing to let in "Refugees" from the US, escaping poverty, no retirement benefits and unimaginable terrorist attacks.

Just my say. Bushies feel free to wave their flag from the United States of Isreal...umm I mean...oh, never mind.

[krats1976]

[Trevor]

No harm done. We're all English teachers here, you know. I always wondered what the difference is.

[billybrobby]

[krats1976]

[SPINOZA]

I agree with Yata Boy and Billy Brobby myself.

Screw politics, basically. To hell with it. I'm in Seoul and I'm alright, Jack. That's the political ideology I subscribe to.

That said, Seoul looks very much like an American city sometimes - big, wide roads, blocks, mostly new. To me, that says "homely" (not that I'm from North America, but I've been many times and always felt very at home) but to you it might not be what you're after.

[/quote]

[Trevor]

Maybe it is just my current situation. I am on the West Coast and the economy is horrifying. Oh sure, there are jobs, but they are go nowhere mcjobs in horrible industries.

Oh, and then there's always sales. Ra-ra-roo for some dreadful rip-off product...

Also, American women, I find, have been socialized into absolute dog doo-doo by our culture. They don't wannabe women but they can't be men so they make up for it by being really horrifying to work with while they pound-pound-pound on that glass ceiling....

And that's before we even get into politics, horrible leadership and the burgeoning global destruction that we haven't even begun to fathom.

It's time fer me ta go find a new home. Yep, that it is. It really iz.

[desultude]