Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ratpack]

I'm interested in teaching in both Japan and South Korea. I'm enticed by Japan for the culture and what I hear is a less stressful enviroment. I'm also interested in Korea mainly of being able to save more money and the culture as well.

My question is if you taught at both places, which would you do first teach in South Korea first or Japan and why? I figure S. Korea first then Japan because I can save more money in S. Korea first then pay off my debts plus have more money coming in when I go to Japan. That way I won't have to be on such a tight budget in Japan. Just wondering what others have done and what they might do differently.

Background information: I have a TEFL and some assitant teaching experience here in the US and have worked with kids for about 3 years. I also have about $3000 in student loans and such to pay off here.

Thanks for the input!

[laogaiguk]

Dude, this takes about 1 second to figure out (funny how I did it the opposite way though ). Korea first. Get your flight paid over here and save up significant cash (savings are much more in Korea), and then go to Japan (which is a much cheaper plane ticket away...).

[Hotpants]

If you're going to do both Japan and Korea, I would do Japan first. My point of view is that many Japanese learners have such a hard time demonstrating any English output - and input can be limited, too; I don't know how many times I had to explain the same particular point. You have to have so much patience. Now that I teach Koreans, I think Koreans have on average much more impressive English language skills. I wouldn't want to go 'backwards' in a teaching environment. Japan was great while I was there, but I don't think I would go back there to work.

Also, if you get your experience in Japan first, when you come to Korea, you can bypass the hagwon institutes and go direct to the 'better' jobs. There is also a much wider variety of teaching job types that you can get into in Korea with opportunity for more professional development.

As far as the money is concerned, you can make good money in Japan. Your only problem will be is that if you want to pay off debt, you can't get up to too much in Japan. Weekend trips and dining out will drain your pockets.

And, don't have the idea that Japan is more laidback. Many teaching jobs there will work you harder than a student in cram school!

[ratpack]

Thanks for the advice. Yeah I'm trying to figure out if the experience will be the most important or the money. I think I'd be happier if I didn't have to worry about money so much in Japan and just have a good time. But if I get experience first in Japan the pay rate in Korea will be better as well.

Anyone else taught at both places and are glad they did one place over the other one first?

[venus]

Personally due to debts, I would do (and am) Korea first to pay off the debts, as financially it is much easier here. then go to Japan when you are debt free and have the coule of thousand pounds / dollars you'll nbeed to set up in Japan.

You can only save about 50 - 60% of what you can save in Korea in Japan. And that's after the first few months of getting yoursefl set up.

Depends on your situation though.

[VirginIslander]

With only $3,000 in student loans, I wouldn't let thoughts of paying them back dictate my decision to move to Korea or Japan for a year. I could understand if you had 20,000 -30,000.....$3,000.

Do some reseach, listen to advice and choose the country that best suits you but dont be too worried about three grand, unless it is three grand at 20% interest rate.

Good luck

[Bibbitybop]

I had the same decision to make. I chose Korea for many reasons: More money (or able to save more money), cheaper food, cheaper traveling in country, more jobs, more creative jobs and less hours working at a job.

I like Japan's culture being more individualistic than Korea's and I like their ski resorts, but I couldn't go for one of the big 4 companies (Aeon, Nova, etc.)

[twg]

It's all about your needs.

If you have debts to pay: Korea

Got a pile of cash you don't mind spending on an unheated apartment: Japan

If you don't want to wear a tie every day: Korea

If you're a porn addict: Japan

[ED209]

[venus]

[andrew]

*****

[ratpack]

Thanks fo the advice.

To answer your question ED209 I only plan to be at each country for a year each (of course who really knows). I think S. Korea seems to be the best option to pay off bills and have better travel options in Japan. Even though $3,000 might not seem like a lot to some people, it's a lot to me since I'm planning on going back to school and doubt want more debt. Anyways, I think S. Korea is the way to start out.

[just because]

It all depends on whether you have money or not....

I would rather go to Japan first as it is a nice intergration into Asia. Not too Asian(not that experiencing asia is a bad thing) but different enough that you will have an interesting experience...some people find Korea pretty tough if it is the first time away from their home environment, japan is not as rough....

However if you have no money japan can be a tough proposition as the set-up costs are quite tough. I didn't find most day to day living expenses to be much different if you live like a local (except for transportation and movies)..

I have lived in both for a good length of time and I like Korea better...you can make good money in japan and save just as much as here once you are connected but living here seems more interesting. To be honest i found japan a bit bland after a while and too much like home.....Korea you will have some big highs and lows which while might take a couyple of years off your life in the end sure makes for some better stories

[Son Deureo!]

[SeoulMan6]

I've done both - 2 years in Japan then 3 and counting in Korea.

MONEY:
Japan takes a lot of start-up cash while Korea doesn't really require anything, plus you get the flight. But you might get a little depressed at saving less in Japan if you lived in Korea first.

TEACHING:
Japanese students are shy and quiet, so if you go there from Korea you might struggle with that. Whereas I was thrilled at how talkative the Koreans were (as compared to their neighbors.) I found working conditions to be similar actually.

LIFE:
There are a lot of similarities, but I find Korea to be a little more laid-back. That's everything from relationships to clothing to ceremonies. Actually, I call Korea "Japan Light" because a lot of the things that bugged me in Japan are still done here, but to a lesser extent.

p.s. The Korean language is a little easier to learn because you can learn to read and write MUCH more easily.

Enjoy...