Korean Job Discussion Forums

[inlimbo]

I am leaving Korea early. I have one month on my contract and yet I can't take it anymore. I'm tossing in the towel. I have given plenty of notice and the hogwon has had time to find a replacement for me. But the prospect of staying here even four more weeks is just not tolerable. The strange thing is, even though I am giving up a lot of money and a return ticket, I feel nothing but relief. I know this seems foolish.

I worked in Bangkok at a private school for 3 years, and have spent a lot of time in India, so I am used to living and working abroad. I do not know why I find it so difficult to be here. It may be the attitudes of the people, the general culture, the exploitative nature of the hogwons, the disrespectful students...don't know.

Reading the posts here I am glad to see that some people are having positive experiences. It is the responsibility of the expat to adjust to the culture in which they are living. Guess I just wasn't able to do it. I am going to go and hang out in India for a year and try to relax a bit.

My question is, what advice would people give to a new comer to Korea to help them keep a positive outlook on things? I am afraid my advice would be not to come, but I know I am not seeing things clearly.

I feel disappointed that I wasn't able to meet the challenge offered by Korea. But right now I just have bitter feeling towards the place. Hope that will change with time.

Thanks

[ilovebdt]

Sorry to hear you haven't enjoyed your time in Korea.

Is there anything in particular that has got to you or just Korea in general. I mean you survived 11 months, it can't have been that bad

Ilovebdt

[Alyssa]

I think I have figured out what makes it so frustrating here. So many of the Korean people lack a conscious. They really lack empathy, they cannot put themselves in the shoes of other people. From directors, to fellow teachers (asking so many private questions) to the people who push in line, it seems to be the same thing, no socialization, no empathy for others, it seems as if they never get it that other people have feelings, that other people are like you, and so this selfish attitude pushes through.

Good luck, and I must say, after this year I will take off

[cubanlord]

What keeps me going in Korea is the fact that my wife is here and we are both enjoying ourselves. Also, knowing that I can just pack my bags and go home to a wonderful career adds to my reassurance that "everything is ok."

Hope this answers your question.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Working at a crap hogwan can definitely bring you down. It was a relief for me to quit, but in no way did I want to leave Korea.

Some things that bring me up:

- so many great, positive, cheerful students
- going to the gym regularly or going for a long walk or hike
- going out for galbi or chicken and beer with my mates
- getting pissed out of my tree on Friday night
- super helpful Korean friends
- learning something new about this esoteric, ridiculous culture
- a date with a giddy k-girl who thinks she's introducing me to things I could never have known about and thinks I'm the most exotic thing (even if getting into bed is usually out of the question).
- partying and getting drunk with Koreans
- a quiet evening at home with a book
- relief that I'm not a hogwan slave
- getting treated like royalty just for being white
- planning nice holidays to places new and old
- cheap booze and cigarettes

And the number one thing? Being thankful that I'm not stuck in Canada.

[ilovebdt]

I suppose what keeps me here and has made me want to go to other countries is the challenge of getting to grips with a new culture and all the unique experiences you can have as a foreigner.

Ilovebdt

[periwinkle]

Inlimbo, I'm sorry you had a bad experience here. I worked at a terrible hakwon, and I've been where you are. We came here to work, and if the working environment sucks, it'll really influence your overall experience if you don't have other outlets. I'm assuming you aren't happy due to your work environment, though. India sounds cool (you should read "Shantaram" while you're there). Good luck to you^^

[indytrucks]

[ucfvgirl]

Up until about a month ago, I was ready to go home in August and resume my life in Canada. However, after weighing the pros and cons of living in Korea vs living in Canada, I am finding myself wanting to stay here at least one more year. My job situation has improved greatly, the students love me, and I feel really wanted here. Granted, I am working at a public middle school, which I know is much better than alot of Hogwan situations.

I think about how stressed my life was back in Canada: rent, car insurance, cost of living, family, etc and I think that staying here isn't such a bad idea. My life is very easy here in Korea. I go to work, do my job and come home. I don't have parent teacher interviews, report cards, test prep, marking, or any of the other tedious work a teacher in Canada must do. And what I am getting paid is enough for the work I am doing. Whereas in Canada, a teacher's job is never done and the pay is never equivelant to the amount of work one must do.

It has taken me a very long time to feel 'at home' here and I have to admit, I miss my friends a hell of a lot, but I am coping. I get to go home for a three week visit in August and I think that will be enough time to realize that coming back to Korea is the right thing to do.

I would advise those who have just come here to learn to deal with the culture shock because really, it never goes away. I still get extremely frustrated with some of the things Korean people do and yes, sometimes I would just love to open my mouth and say something. But I don't because opening my mouth might get me into more trouble than I was ever bargining for. I find it helps to vent my feelings by writing on my webpage where I know my family and friends will be reading and feeling the sympathy I am missing here.

[europe2seoul]

[Alyssa]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[laogaiguk]

[Alyssa]

[laogaiguk]