Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hubba bubba]

Seems like all I do this year is sit at my school. Sometimes I teach, but I spend just as much time sitting around doing squat.

Last year, I woke up and did a bunch of stuff before I went to hagwon. It was really fun. This year, I'm out the door at 8am, and when I get wome at five or six, all I want to do is eat dinner and veg out. It kinda sucks really. I don't really meet as many people, as I am the only whitey at my school. I don't head out to the bars cuz I have to get up so dang early. Too beat to go play taekwondo or something. I'm a total loser.

Public school teachers, am I the only one? Do you have a life?

[kat2]

I have more of a life now than I did at my hogwans. I actually have the energy to go out after work. I used to teach 40 classroom hours a week, so sitting around for 40 hours is awesome. Getting off at 5 is so much better than 9. You can go tou to dinner have a few drinks and still et home by 9 (when I used tofinish work).
Just try adjusting your schedule so all the stuff you did before school you now do after. Yeah, you have to go to bed earlier, but I'm a morning person anyway.

[crazylemongirl]

I have way more of a life than I did as a hogwon person. I go to the gym before school, and after school there are plenty of events that happen in the evening. I studied Korean at seoul national university during the spring and fall (just finished) Last week I went to a public lecture about North Korea's influence on South Korean politics on Tuesday and a party at the Aussie embassy on Friday.

I live a fair way out of Seoul however I think if you make the effort, there are plenty of ways to full your time here. My enjoyment of Korea has increased by not just hanging out with exclusively with other teachers at the bar which I think has increased my energy to go and seek different avenues for entertainment out.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

No, Monday morning to Friday afternoon I have no life. I arrive at school sometime between 8.00 to 8.20am usually and stay until 5.00pm or 7.30 or 8.00pm if I'm teaching evening class. I often go to the gym after work and sometimes go out drinking during the week, but not too often on weekdays. I live in a teacher's residence right behind the cafeteria and when I hear the clinging and clanging of breakfast being served I know it's time to get ready. I can't walk through town without being greeted by a bunch of my students, and spend most of my waking hours on weekdays either sitting at my desk surfing the Net or in the company of teenage Korean girls. I'm too lazy to cook so I usually also have lunch and dinner at the cafeteria with my co-workers or students. During the week my options of things to do are pretty much a) go to school, b) go to the gym, or c) go to the bar. Thankfully with a), b), and c), I'm still doing what I really enjoy doing.

[mister_joseph]

I love it.
I work next to home.
3 minute walk in seoul.
absolutely so much free time to do whatever I want to do.
love it, I really really love it!!

[sock]

No, I have no life.

I just sit around browsing Dave's for hours on end. That pretty much kills what little soul is left after the kids are finished with me.

So, yeah, I have no life, and no personality.

























Are you kidding me? Basically a part-time job and you don't have time/energy for a life? You're just still adjusting. Once you get it down, you'll love it. I promise. That's why you don't see many people going from public school back to hogwan--'cuz it's great here.

[xCustomx]

Even though I was offered a position with SMOE and an interview with Gangnam school district (which I turned down), I couldn't see myself working in a public school. Sure, maybe you actually work less hours than a hagwon, but you're still at the school for at least 40 hours per week. Instead of physically being at work for 40, why not work for 30 (or less if you can negotiate it) and use the 10 hour difference to teach privately (assuming you can do so legally of course)? You'd easily pick up an extra $1500-2000 per month. I know you would teach more, and some people use their time productively at public schools, but it's not for me. I have to try and maximize my earnings for least amount of time

[butlerian]

[The Hierophant]

I'm at my hagwon for 40 hours a week! For a measly 1.9!

Christ! Why do I browse this forum?! Every day I'm reminded of how much I'm being ripped off.

[Grotto]

Not much until they installed fitness equipment. Then I would spend my spare time working out and surfing the net.

I spent most of my time organizing my weekends and meeting up with friends in Seoul or Suwon.

[JeJuJitsu]

[Wrench]

I have a life I just choose to spend most of it at the gym or riding my motorcycle.

[poet13]

Last contract, Hakwon. This contract, public school in the same city.
Last year I would ride 20-50 kilometers on my bicycle before class at 11am. 50 minute class, off until 2:30, but then the day was screwed. Finished at 8:30, and usually too tired to do anything more than have a beer, watch tv for a bit and crash.
Now, at school at 8:30 until 5:00. Tons of time to surf, type poetry, think (yup, think). My evening is my own. I go home and talk to my family (yahoo mesenger voice and video) for the evening. My fitness regime is whacked, but thats really the only downside.

[crazylemongirl]

[cdninkorea]