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True Samurai
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
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 Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:19 am Post subject: Korean Job or Japanese Job? |
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I know this topic has been discussed before and if someone can lead me to the thread I would appreciate it. It's been my experience that forum search engines can't handle more than one word enquiries so 'Japan vs Korea' doesn't cut it. If any onee knows how to search this forum with a more than one word enquiry, I would be thankful for advice about that too.
Otherwise, would any one care to contribute a fresh take here on which country is a better place to work, and why you think so?
Thank you. |
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Homer
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 5:17 am Post subject: |
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Instead of asking here...I suggest you buy a couple of books, read up on a couple of websites and form your own opinion about both places.
Of course, the better place will most depend on what you are looking for and what you are all about...so..whatever we say here will only be remotely relevant to your dilema... |
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the saint
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Location: not there yet...
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:22 am Post subject: Re: Korean Job or Japanese Job? |
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| True Samurai wrote: |
I know this topic has been discussed before and if someone can lead me to the thread I would appreciate it. It's been my experience that forum search engines can't handle more than one word enquiries so 'Japan vs Korea' doesn't cut it. If any onee knows how to search this forum with a more than one word enquiry, I would be thankful for advice about that too.
Otherwise, would any one care to contribute a fresh take here on which country is a better place to work, and why you think so?
Thank you. |
6 years there and 3 here so far (will be 4). By a long long way for culture, language, food, sights and sounds, history, people and sanitation Japan.
Cost of living is comparable in the big cities if you like cosy nights in. If you are into travelling and going out on the town, you're going to save next to nothing in japan but you will have the blast of your life. In Korea, you can save and live an active night/travel life.
In the classroom, Koreans win hands down. They are just way more forthcoming and cooperative with less hangups. Mind you, Japnese don't stonewall the teacher if they don't like him. So if you feel easily intimidated, you might like the Japanese. Mind you, work isn't everything, 8 hours out of 24 five days a week and if you hate where you live work might be dreamy but you still hate coming home.
When it all comes down to the bottom line, I'd choose Japan by a huge margin over Korea. How can I sum this up? Let's just say that after six years in Japan I felt I'd been refined: three years in Korea and I feel dirty.
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J.B. Clamence
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:26 am Post subject: |
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| I would say Japan for the culture and a good time, Korea for the money. |
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dam_on
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:44 am Post subject: |
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I have to echo what both Saint and J.B. have said. I spent three years in Japan and am in my third here in Korea. As the others have mentioned, it is MUCH harder to save money in Japan but it was, by far, a much more rewarding experience for me personally. The reason that I am now in Asia, and an ESL teacher for that matter, is because of a childhood interest in Japan that brought me to the region some 11 years ago. Also , now that I have some experience under my belt, I think I may start looking in to what higher-paying positions are available.
Both countries have their own benefits and downfalls, so I would suggest trying to visit both and then deciding on your own which one you would prefer living in. Good luck. |
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plutodog18
Joined: 01 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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| So Korea is a pig stye, eh???? |
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SuperFly
Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Location: In the doghouse
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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I've been to Japan six times over a period of three years. Every single time I was in Japan, I felt like I was in a first world country. Korea just doesn't match up. There's good and bad in every country...
One thing that I noticed on my first trip to Tokyo was that there was a LOT less noise pollution. Let me say it another way...no honking, the buses are quiet...the people are much more polite. And like the Canadian guy on the train said last friday night (He was obviously pissed because he'd just been shoved and pushed on the crowded train) a lot less shoving and pushing, if any.
I've never taught in Japan, and if I hadn't met my wife and married her...I would've gone there after my 2 years and 10 months in Korea back in 1998. I would've gone to Japan and never looked back. Three of my co-workers went to Japan and loved it. |
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True Samurai
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject: Re: Korean Job or Japanese Job? |
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The Saint Wrote:
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| Let's just say that after six years in Japan I felt I'd been refined: three years in Korea and I feel dirty. |
How intriguing! I admire the succint way in which you've expressed your opinion.
I also find it noteworty that two of the respondents so far have a dog as their avatars. Or is that one a small black bactrain camel in sunglasses?  |
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SuperFly
Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Location: In the doghouse
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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That's a black Lab named Sampson wearing doggles. Them be sunglasses for dogs.
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True Samurai
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:35 am Post subject: |
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| SuperFly wrote: |
That's a black Lab named Sampson wearing doggles. Them be sunglasses for dogs.
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At first, I thought you wrote 'lamb' not 'lab'. Look, your pet is real cute, but I've noticed black dogs don't photograph well. I'm not suggesting you change your avatar, but it is rather obscure.  |
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SuperFly
Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Location: In the doghouse
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:44 am Post subject: |
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| True Samurai wrote: |
| SuperFly wrote: |
That's a black Lab named Sampson wearing doggles. Them be sunglasses for dogs.
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At first, I thought you wrote 'lamb' not 'lab'. Look, your pet is real cute, but I've noticed black dogs don't photograph well. I'm not suggesting you change your avatar, but it is rather obscure. |
Ah, well unlike most other posters here at the cafe, Sampson has been with me since 9 July 2003 when the board changed from the old to the new format. I've never given up on him, and he's never let me down. |
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plato's republic
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Ancient Greece
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:09 am Post subject: |
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| I'm also a member of the 'I've taught in both Japan and Korea club'. I spent three years in Japan, almost two in Korea now and would have to say that Japan is a much better bet for culture, kind and polite people who are not aggressive and don't constantly stare at you, language, history, sanitation, nightlife etc. But if you're looking to save money then I would strongly recommend coming to Korea, but do your homework before you sign any contract over here. |
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