Korean Job Discussion Forums

mmstyle · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: wherever

If this has been addressed, please point me to that thread.

I am looking for a job in Korea now and I am wondering if the fact that I am a woman with very short hair (a bit shorter than the haircut that made Halle Berry famous, amd definitely not as glamorous) will be a problem. Growing it out some by the time I get there (2-3 months, I think) is no biggie, but I am having some one take pics of me tonight to mail with info when I apply.

Also, I've never been an ESL teacher and I am wondering if an English language village is a good way to start. If you've done this, did you feel cut off from Korean culture? Other thoughts about that?

Thanks,

mmS.

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

Cant say about the hair thing, but which English language village are you heading for?

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

flotsam · Joined: 28 Mar 2006

I've worked with two women who had had quite short hair. --Shorter than the Halle Berry thing--no problem. But then, we worked with middle and high school students.

There are a lot of preconceptions of acceptable appearance in Korea, but if a bunch of screaming brats force someone to change his style, then it's just the fault of all the adults around the little bastards for not setting them straight. The teacher has just contributed to validating their preconceptions and "the peg that stands out..." method of dealing with transgressors.

And, if none of the adults: co-teachers, manager, owner, whatever, are willing to support the teacher and good-naturedly get the students to chill and deal...who the frick wants to work in a place like that?

But my first recommendation is: hold the line. Don't run like a sissy.

It's the same as when I started shaving my head, and how I insist on the proper use of my surname with Mr. unlike Steve and Japhy and Dick and Tom at the hakwon and how I lecture the hell out of students who make bin Laden or "ugly black man" jokes and punish them severely for repeat episodes.

As a teacher, whether in a hakwon or high school, you are more than just a technician, you are an adult role model. If your peg stands up and they smash it down, they will incorporate that behavior into all their future conflict resolutions. Kids in ALL countries have preconceptions and are bigots who "other" anyone outside their in-group, until they are taught not to.

And I know that things are much tougher here for women of any nationality then they are for men, but having grown up in a more gender-egalitarian society, are you really willing to chuck the values you were taught aside and adjust to the local social norm at the demand of a bunch of screaming little kids and some ignorant kindy moms?

Would you do it in Canada or America or wherever you're from?

Grow some balls girls....

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Some ajumas (married women) have shorter, permed hair, but it's pretty rare to see younger women with hair that isn't long enough to be put into a pony tail. If you have at least a few inches it shouldn't be that bad.

I do have a few students with hair that's quite short and they're usually the ones who take on a more masculine / butch persona. If you have very short hair you may find yourself being type-cast as butch and have a hard time projecting femininity, if that's your thing.

peppermint · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:47 pm Post subject:

I had longish hair when I started my current job, and got it cut to just above collar length. No comments other than compliments. So long as it's a fairly natural color, and you carry yourself professionally, you should be fine.

mmstyle · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: wherever

Tiger,

The school is in Cheonho (sp?). That's what, 40 mins outside of Seoul? Can anyone tell me about the environment there, at the school and outside of it.

As to the hair issue, I had my sister (a professional photog) take some candid pictures for me. Yep, the hair does look short, but the ones with a hat on looked less feminine, so I am going to try my luck. I used a bit more makeup than is my norm, to accentuate the feminine aspect.

I can deal with some frankness, and even weirded-outness about my looks. Once, I was so sick of curly hair, I shaved it ALL off. I won't do that again, but I learned a lot about myslef and dealng with other people's additudes!

Thanks all. I know I am going to have further questins before I get there! I'm reading the faqs like crazy.

jessiaka · Joined: 07 Jan 2006

I say do whatever you want with your hair.

For example, when I came to Korea I had shortish hair to begin with. Platinum blonde.
Went to the hairdresser to get my roots touched up, and came out with literally about 0.5" to an inch AT MOST of platinum blonde hair (She melted it off, I had to rock a pixie cut for a long time and I was NOT impressed. GRRR...).
I got hired. At a KINDERGARTEN. A *reallyreally* nice one too.

I think it just depends on if you carry it well or whatever.
My boss, however, did not approve of my tongue piercing or tattoos (because parents complained, sheesh.) so I had to wear a clear retainer and cover them up, but bod mods are a whole other story.

mmstyle · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: wherever

Thanks all!

I'm bumping this, too, beecause I am still hoping to hear about Cheonho Village life.

peppermint · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:58 pm Post subject:

Cheonho village???? It's part of Seoul, though it's on the outside edge. There's a department store, an 11 screen theatre, several banks, and an outback steakhouse within a 5 minute walk of the subway station

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I lived in Cheonho for 2 years. It's part of Seoul. All the great things Peppermint said plus 10 minutes to Olympic Par, 25 to Kangnam, 40 to Itaewon, 50-60 to Hongdae.

Lots of foreigners there these days. Most clubs there are anti-westerner but the bars are very friendly.

Good place overall.