| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
saint57
Joined: 18 Jun 2003
|
 Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 4:47 pm Post subject: Reflections on Korea |
 |
|
It has been almost two years since I've left Korea. The more I think back to my time there, the more I regret my choice. Here is my list of regrets.
1. Hogwan experience is almost worthless. Wait, it's actually worthless.
2. Put up with way too much crap from school.
3. I didn't turn around and leave the moment they showed me the apartment I'd be spending the next 13 months in.
4. Allowed myself and girlfriend to be bullied by moron waygooks.
5. Working a 13th month.
I can't believe that I put up with so much shit. I'm still searching for the positive side and I've had two years to cool off. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Dodgy Al
Joined: 15 May 2004
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| It sounds like you had a rough time. In your case, perhaps it's best not to reflect at all. When I leave, I will have many positive things to remember. My hogwan experience definitely hasn't been worthless, but I can see why many people would feel that way. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I could be sitting in Canada with very similar reflections to yours. Instead I:
1. Refused to put up with crap.
2. Made some good and very helpful Korean friends.
3. Refused to put up with crap.
4. Quit my crap job and found a great job.
5. Refused to put up with crap.
Korea rocks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zark
Joined: 12 May 2003
Location: Phuket, Thailand: Look into my eyes . . .
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
As Yu_Bum_Suk says, "When life gives you lemons . . ."
Always the best philosophy.
Learn from your regrets, but don't focus on them. Life is FAR too short. Everyone has regrets, me too. But, I usually just say to myself that I did the best I could with the information I had at the time. No one purposefully makes bad decisions.
Our skills and abilites to deal with difficult information, hopefully, improve with time and experience. Remember to learn from them! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Demophobe
Joined: 17 May 2004
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: Reflections on Korea |
|
|
| saint57 wrote: |
It has been almost two years since I've left Korea. The more I think back to my time there, the more I regret my choice. Here is my list of regrets.
1. Hogwan experience is almost worthless. Wait, it's actually worthless.
2. Put up with way too much crap from school.
3. I didn't turn around and leave the moment they showed me the apartment I'd be spending the next 13 months in.
4. Allowed myself and girlfriend to be bullied by moron waygooks.
5. Working a 13th month.
I can't believe that I put up with so much *beep*. I'm still searching for the positive side and I've had two years to cool off. |
You're a saint and it was 2 years ago.
Get over it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
saint57
Joined: 18 Jun 2003
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Refused to put up with crap. |
It's great advice! Those who are fresh out of university need to take it to heart. I used your philosophy while teaching in China and I had a much better time. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Zark wrote: |
As Yu_Bum_Suk says, "When life gives you lemons . . ."
|
...split them open, stick them in the face of the giver, and go find some persimmons. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
saint57
Joined: 18 Jun 2003
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
You're a saint and it was 2 years ago.
Get over it.
|
A perfect example of the moron waygooks I don't have to deal with anymore. Life is sweet! Thanks  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JongnoGuru
Joined: 25 May 2004
Location: peeing on your doorstep
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: Reflections on Korea |
|
|
| saint57 wrote: |
| 4. Allowed myself and girlfriend to be bullied by moron waygooks. |
Am I the only one wondering what this alludes to?
bullied? "and girlfriend"?? by other foreigners??
The rest of you may be sitting there nodding in knowing agreement, but I haven't the foggiest.
Last edited by JongnoGuru on Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
I_Am_Wrong
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: whatever
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| hagwon experience is, by no means, worthless if you plan to work with children in your career. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
saint57
Joined: 18 Jun 2003
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Am I the only one wondering what this alludes to?
bullied? "and girlfriend"?? by other foreigners??
The rest of you may be sitting there nodding in knowing agreement, but I haven't the foggiest.
|
Hint: If you haven't noticed that there are a lot of freaks in Korea then you most likely are one. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
saint57
Joined: 18 Jun 2003
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| hagwon experience is, by no means, worthless if you plan to work with children in your career. |
Talk to me in a few years. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hagwon experience is only worthless if you don't learn from it and use it to negotiate better circumstances for your next job.
For people without a teaching degree and little or no experience, hagwons are the best bet to get your foot in the door of the ESL world. Consider it the bootcamp of Korean ESL.
I did it for a year and it wasn't great, but I took my lumps, learned my lesson, and used that experience to make sure the last two contracts I signed were with great public schools with awesome living/working conditions, tons of vacation, and great students.
I knew that there were better jobs out there when I was working, but I buckled down and prepared for a better (short-term) future in Korea instead of running home with my tail tucked between my legs. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JongnoGuru
Joined: 25 May 2004
Location: peeing on your doorstep
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 12:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| saint57 wrote: |
| Quote: |
Am I the only one wondering what this alludes to?
bullied? "and girlfriend"?? by other foreigners??
The rest of you may be sitting there nodding in knowing agreement, but I haven't the foggiest.
|
Hint: If you haven't noticed that there are a lot of freaks in Korea then you most likely are one. |
No, I've noticed the freaks here. And Saint, I wasn't doubting or challenging anything you wrote in your OP. Just seeking clarification regarding Regret #4; specifically, what form this "bullying" took (i.e., do you mean the old "that's Korea, so love it or shove it!" line that some posters on Dave's espouse? Or do you mean something far more literal and physical?). And I also wonder if I'm reading too much into "allowed myself and my girlfriend to be bullied", as though this bullying were somehow directed at you two as couple. Anyway, I hope you'll appreciate that I was merely looking to clarify these things, not debate them.
-- JG (the notorious foreigner-and-their-girlfriend bullier of Dave's)
Last edited by JongnoGuru on Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:24 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SPINOZA
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Location: $eoul
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
I fail to see why being bullied by waygoogins reflects badly on Korea.
OP - Demophobe was right. Two years ago and you're still fuming? Move on, for f's sake! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
