Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mercury]

Well I decided to come back to this board and see how things are going here! I taught in Korea and decided to accept a job in Japan. Do I regret it? Never I wake up everyday with my beautiful Japanese wife (we got married ) and we have a small house in the country. Her parents gave it to us as a wedding gift!!!!!!! I take a peaceful bus ride to the university, students and people in general are so kind and helpful. I have never felt so relaxed in my life. My office faces a small garden, it is HUGE and teaching is great! University students in Japan are so much different than in Korea. There is an atmosphere of warmth, and respect. The pay is better, and also the little things in life are better. When I go out with my wife we get no stares, no stress, and fellow teachers in the Uni constantly invite us over and out for dinner (Japanese Profs). I don't know why but I am fascinated with learning Japanese. KOrea taught me one thing, never EVER sell yourself short. It seems like so many Koreans just get into the habit of taking advantage of teachers. The students do not show respect. It seems as if many teachers just accept this type of disrespect and become like women who are abused. They hate being abused but always go back to their abusive husbands. I decided to go first class, and I guess that road has made all the difference! If you get tired of Korea, Japan is the place to be! Good luck!

[flotsam]

Queue nicely, then.

[Satori]

Co-sign. I have not regretted coming to Japan for a moment. How did you get the uni job? I heard they are really really hard to get so I didn't try. Do you have a masters in TESOL>?

[Qinella]

Yeah I think a lot about Japan but the language is a huge turnoff for me. It's so uneven and assymetric.

I'm glad you're enjoying it, though.

[mercury]

My wife helped me. The jobs for native speakers here are usually about the same as Korea, 20 hours a week, but my wife has connections, and the life of a University prof. here is like heaven! Usually it requires a bunch of stuff, published research, etc........ but with the right connections it is as easy as pie, really

[Satori]

Ive the employment at uni's is very unstable though. As in, you cant be sure you'll have a job next year. That would make me reserved about starting a family with that kind of set up...

[Zolt]

Stability depends greatly on which uni. Some treat foreign teachers quite well, some have a policy of treating them as a renewable resource, and dump them for fresh meat every couple of years. But once again, connections change everything. They're the name of the game in Japan, for universities or whatever else you do.