Korean Job Discussion Forums

[maddog]

I've been in Korea for 8 months and haven't seen my family in almost 2 years. This, coupled with the fact that my mother keeps asking if I'll be home for Christmas, is really starting to weigh me down. Anyone else feel like this at this time of year?

[twg]

Go home.

I did for six months a few years back. It'll remind you why you left to begin with.

[maddog]

[The Hierophant]

[twg]

You got four months left. They'll pass quickly if you allow them to. Then go home. Then return to Asia.

[tiger fancini]

Don't throw in the towel now!! Four months really isn't that long, and think about the benefits of staying to see them out. A whole years experience under your belt, severance pay (I assume), and also favour with you current employer (you never know when this might come in handy).

I've got just over 5 months left on my contract and am getting very excited about leaving now! I know that these five months will fly by (as the last seven months did!) and when I'm finished I'm off to Bangkok to spend as much time in SEAsia as my funds will allow. Then its back to Korea, new school, new start!

Since I made the decision not to re-sign here I'm so excited about leaving. Whenever I have a bad day here I just remind myself that I'll be out of here very soon, and a nice beach in Thailand. If you're in a public school, there really isn't much actual teaching to do between now and May what with winter vacation, spring break, graduations etc.

Hang in there man, you'll be glad that you did

[Barefootbelle]

It's tough to be away at Christmas, but really 4 months is not a big deal. In my case the last 2 months dissappeared before I was ready.

And if you think about it you only work (probably) 5 days a week, so the other 2 months are really only about 40 days.

And you probably only work a few hours a day so 40 days is only a few hours.

And there's long(ish) holidays over Christmas and New Years when you don't work.

It's a weekend really, a cup of coffee. It's no time at all. (It's a joke, acutally a bit stolen from Seinfeld, before anyone gets all torqued up.)

Seriously, tell your mom if you come home now you'll have to go back right away because you'll need the money, but if you stay to the end of the contract you can stay home for a longer visit. That should make her happy. Have they set up the decorations along the Cheonggeye yet? What about the skating rink at City Hall? Maybe that would make you feel a little better.

[Rteacher]

Isn't it still possible for you to go back for Christmas. If you fly out on Friday, Dec. 22 and get a return flight by New Year's Eve you'll just be missing four days of classes (unless you work Saturdays...) I suggest going that route if you can possibly afford it...

[soviet_man]

[Son Deureo!]

Stick it out, wait for that fat bonus and plane ticket, and come back and get a better job. You'll be glad you did.

[maddog]

I think I'm just gonna slug it out. The severance and plane ticket combined are worth about $4,000, not to mention the fact that I save about $1200 a month. Oh, my visa was delayed, so it's closer to six months. With the additional $11,000, I can have proper backpaking holiday.

[Doogie]

I know the feeling. I'm in my 15th month in Korea and the only time I really got (painfully) homesick was at Christmas time last year. Well, I hung tough and signed on again with the same school and in 5 weeks time I'll be going home for 4 weeks (including Christmas). OP, I know it's not always easy, but I think you should tough out the next 4 months. I honestly think you'll be glad you did.

[Ron Stevens]

as rteacher said try and get the four days and go home for a week

i'm taking this option and the school were pretty understanding about it. it's a going to cost a bit but i'm hoping next year i will feel less compelled to go home and more open to other options here or in other places

[DCJames]

Go and have fun at home.

Korea is SO DESPERATE for teachers right now it's not even funny. You'll find a job back here with no problem.

[VanIslander]

Throw it.... THROW IT!...