Korean Job Discussion Forums

travelchicky · Joined: 23 Mar 2006

Here's my question is it really worth it? I've been reading posting on here for awhile and so much of it is negative that I'm worried about taking a job in Korea. I want a job in Soeul where I can actually teach, get paid on time, and save some money. I don't think thats too much to expect but I'm afraid I'm going to get screwed. So for all those who are working there is it worth it? How does one make sure they find a good place to work while still half way around the world? When you make it there and find yourself in a scary place what can you do? Is anyone happy in their job?

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Some people are happy here.

You can get a job and save money here.

You have to try it to find out what it is all about.

It is a big move and a risk.

I hope you get lucky.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Of course it's worth it--if you don't land in a crappy job.

There are no guarantees in life. All you can do is ask for contact information for teachers already working at the school and see what they say about the set up.

Don't expect it to be as easy as moving to a new city in your home country, because it isn't. Be prepared for making some major adjustments. Be prepared for a feeling of isolation. Be prepared for some fast growing up.

There are 20,000 people doing this. A good share find it worth the effort. It isn't all just the job situation. Part of the solution is your character. Korea is not a good fit for everyone.

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

do you homework just like you would back in your country. Imagine signing up for a job in your country not knowing what to expect. You wouldn't do that back home would you? Then don't do it here.

Please keep in mind that 90% of the posters on this website fall into one of the following catagories:

Disgruntled ex-pat. who get's her/his kicks out of making others feel bad on this board
Disgruntled ex-pat. who has too much time on their hands thus posting away here
Disgruntled ex-pat. who can only see the negative things in life
Disgruntled ex-pat. who thinks he/she is above everyone else (even though they are here in this country Laughing

)
Disgruntled ex-pat. who, for lack of better words, is just outright shady and nasty.

The other 10% on this board are actually helpful, informative, and sincere. They give great advice with the ocassional 2 cents thrown in.

Also keep in mind that the posters on this site represent an extremely small percentage of the actual Foreign teacher population here. I, for one, enjoy my job and enjoy those that are there (both foreign and domestic). We did our homework before coming here; I'm glad we did. No problems.

However, since being here, I have met those shady, low-life, nasty, self-loathing, overweight (even in Korea), pathetic excuses for living beings. Those people are few and far in between. Most, I would say, are tolerable.

Do your homework before jumping in. You want to learn how to swim before going into the deepend.

peppermint · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject:

Is it a gamble? yes
Is it as big as you're thinking? probably not

Remember, most peopleonly come to message boards when they have a problem- not to brag about their great jobs.

I've been here 4 years, had 4 jobs- two were about average, one was crappy and the other one is pretty sweet. Even at the crappy job I never got paid late.

Post your contract here for vets to review, talk to foreign teachers who've worked at the school before and try to keep enough money in the bank for a ticket home, just in case. You'll be fine

IwalkAlone · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Daegu

VanIslander · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:44 pm Post subject:

If you want to SAVE money, then why go to Seoul. There's a thousand and one ways to spend your money there.

You can hang out with fellow foreigners in a smaller city, avoid the concrete jungle commute, and not miss spending your money on concerts, shopping, and the like.

A paycheque can go much farther in a smaller city, and there's plenty of friendly locals who'll treat the foreigner to dinner time and again.

Just a thought.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Korea is such a crapshoot. Don't come if you're not ready for some major cultural adjustments, are tolerant of things that are different, or spineless. There are some great opportunities here.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

You're already doing well, having found this board. You can post contracts and names of schools and get some feedback from those in the know. You only live once...why not have a little adventure mixed in?

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

You forgot one:

Disgruntled ex-pats who have been screwed over royally and have a legitimate beef to air. I have never met anyone here who hasn't had to deal with this at one point or other. It's a fact of life here. While not every job is bad, the good jobs aren't "so rosy" either.

While many may be "happy" here in Korea, there are very few who don't or didn't have to make major adjustments to their attitudes and their expectations.

Korea was and is hard on me. I've been here 4 years and there are still a lot of things that get to me. But the bottom line is....I can save money.

seoulsista · Joined: 31 Aug 2005

It's true that many people do get screwed in Korea and that this board is disproportionately filled with negative situations. My school last year was overall a miserable experience but I wasn't going to pay off $15,000 at home. So for me it was worth it.

It's not like you are powerless to the roll of the dice. If you do these things you will probably not get screwed:

1. Ask to e-mail two teachers at your prospective school.
2. Read the contract very carefully and familiarize yourself with what a normal contract is supposed to look like.
3. Accept some realities about Korea. Things at your work will not always be straight forward or done with a great degree of competence. Welcome to Korea.

This is an abreviated list. You can find plenty of other posts like this. You'll be fine.

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:15 pm Post subject:

A few good links to read:

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/korea-en.asp

http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/teaching/teaching_1240.html

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Marcilla · Joined: 24 Oct 2005

It's gone really well for me so far

I think one thing you have to remember is that if someone has a shitty time and goes back to his homeland in disgrace, the whole time said person is sleeping on his parents' couch looking for a new job that person is going to be spending 2-3 hours a day trolling the internet and lamenting various things