Korean Job Discussion Forums

Jasobang · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Location: Bucheon

My wife and I have always thought that we would head back to Canada to educate our two boys. A recent call back home and lengthy discussion of the education/adolescent years have created second thoughts.

The school/social life when I was growing up wasn't necessarily a walk in the park but it wasn't all that bad either. We had drop-outs, under-age drinking, kids in trouble with B&Es and drugs, but the majority of kids found a way to get through it all. A recent chat with some family and friends about the youth of today makes the whole idea a little scary. It seems that good kids take the bad path somewhere along the way and end up somewhere on the other side. The thoughts of my boys going through that has made me think that maybe they would be better off here in Korea.

By removing the parental factor of wanting my kids to be number one, maybe they can get a good education, stay out of trouble and realize the potential they have rather than just living in the now mentality of western kids.

I understand that this may strike up a good debate, probably one done several times on this board, but if we could keep the replies constructive rather than just bashing; it would be much more productive and a much bigger help to me and maybe others in my situation.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Korean system or an International school?

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

I wouldnt hesitate rasing my kids here at all, and infact I plan on it. I think "back home" is overrated as far as being this paradise for kids. We build it up in our minds as this "golden age" of our lives, free of all cares and problems. Infact, there are plenty of problems with schools back home and it isnt a utopia. Drinking, smoking, drugs, teenage pregnancy, violence in schools, etc. Its all there and its a growing problem.

The reason why I plan on staying here is that I believe I can provide my kids with a better life in Korea than in Canada. I have certain projects in mind here and Im networking within a circle of people that interest me so that within 5 years I will not be teaching English. But until then, with my wife working as well, we are able to put away a lot of money monthly. Money that we would not be able to save in Canada. Lastly, my wife is much happier here than she would be in Canada. She has her family here, her job. Why would I take her away from that?

No, the Korean education system isnt great, but neither is the Canadian one. Hagwons are a drag but my kids will not need to go to English hagwons. I also plan on teaching them sceince and math as my major was in the sciences. Not being Korean means I dont have the "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality and that will be of great benefit to my kids.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

Jasobang · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Location: Bucheon

I'm thinking Korean education but I wouldn't be against the international come middle or high school.

BTW, Jinju, great post. I agree 100%. My second is only 9 months so the wife plans on getting back to the work force in a yar or so. We can put away a bit now but when the two of us are working buying a new apartment would be just around the corner.

The other day on the way home I realized that the thoughts of staying for a while gave me this sudden ease of mind. No more rush to save up that nest egg, no more feeling frustrated at my Korean skills but rather a desire to learn seeing that I'm no longer trying to beat the clock. As apposed to looking forward to the end, I'm now enjoying the journey. Maybe all this Buddism is having some affect.

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

peppermint · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:32 pm Post subject:

Why would you put your kids through the Korean education system if you didn't have to?

Jasobang · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Location: Bucheon

because the other option doesn't sound all that pleasing. I'd rather have my kids studying with some real family values than be subjected to all that disrespect of today's youth, not to mention the drugs, crime and violence.

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Of course, it is always a personal decision that should be respected, but let me sing the praises of raising a kid in Canada...

First, I think people overreact to the violence and other problems in our schools. I have three siblings that are teachers back home, one even working in one of the worst neighborhoods in Toronto. And all of them sing the praises of the kids. Sure there are problems, but don't forget that positive stories are rarely reported.

Good people can raise good kids. People need to take responsibility for raising their kids. If you do a good job, things will work out. It's pretty simple(not the raising part, but the "good job raising=good kid"). I went to a high school with monthly stabbings, scraps, and locker searches. Yet it was simple for the 90% of us well raised kids to stay out of trouble.

Drugs and underage drinking= not problems. In fact, I would hate to know anyone who did not partake in these things as a kid. It's a part of growing up. Again, hopefully the kids have some sense of control and moderation instilled by their parents. Some of the most successful guys I know now were huge users in high school

Another benefit of Canada, sports. Kids need to finish school at 3:00 and go play. Sure, a good number of Korean kids do this, but not enough. This actually seals the deal for me. No kid of mine will spend his free time playing computer games when he/she could play one of many sports, musical instruments, or something else more active than surfing the net. (geez, kinda sounds like I'm gonna force my kids to do what I want. Not quite. I'll just make sure they have about 50 things to choose from before computers.)

Third, let's talk racism. Not that all Koreans are racist, not even that many Koreans are racist, but I want my kid to grow up in a country where he doesn't see a foreigner and shout to his frieds "waaa, waygookin'!!" What a joke. Could you ever imagine this happening back home? I want my kids to have a good understanding of other cultures and people. Sure, your kid will get this having a foreign parent, but not as much as he/she could get back home.

Another point on racism. I kinda think our two countries do it backwards. A young "mixed" kid back home will probably be ridiculed. Here, they just seem to be ignored. However, it seems to me (and this is open to debate), that as the child ages things get swapped around. Being mixed is beneficial in Canada (respected and gets a lot of "wow, cool"), whereas here it could be a hindrance. (hmmm, little Daniel Jongmin Smith wants to work for Samsung... I think I'll go with good old Jongmin Kim, he has pure blood)

We all know that Canada bends over backwards to help minorities. So just get your kid to use his mom's name and he/she is set. Wink

Of course there is always health care. Canada wins. (for the moment, anyway)

Education, I prefer Canada. Less focus on Math/Science and more focus on the humanities. I like students to argue with teachers, not to sit there and absorb. I want my kid to focus on helping people, not on making the best handphone or computer game.

But of course, you can go well by raising a kid in Korea. Just not my up of tea.

wwidgirl · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I like the idea of a kid going through both school systems. That would be a pretty enlightening experience. I'm undecided about elementary, but western junior high sucks christ. It's not much better than three years in prison. I'd want my kids to go to a school where they are taught that intelligence and individual achievements make them better, not into nerds. And I would definitely put my kid through western high school, where he or she would be in the upper percentile.

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006