Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PsykLaw]

Hi folks! As one can see I am relatively new to this forum. Although, I should mention that I have been reading these forums for several months now. As one can guess I am contemplating the prospect of teaching in Korea (as well as maybe a few other countries).

I hadn't noticed any particular thread for introductions so I figured why not start one. This would be a good way for us new folks in the same boat to rub elbows with each other as well as any vets and maybe pass on what we've learned through our own research with one another.

Thanks goes out to all who have made this possible starting from Dave and on to all those folks whose posts I have gleaned information from to help me gain a lot in such a short amount of time.

In the (often awkward) spirit of standing up in front of the room and talking about one's thoughts here, here are a few questions to help us get acquainted (vets can feel free to participate too:


1) What was it that first attracted you to the idea of teaching English in Korea?

~For me, I have worked a few jobs that consisted of miserable hours chasing the almighty dollar. After nearly wrecking my car on the way home from work last year (due to lack of sleep) I decided I needed to do something else. People should live life. It's a shame that it took something like that incident to wake me up. Anyway, I have always wanted to travel and folks have commented for years about my patience in showing others how to do something (although I have never taught kids before) so I figured this might be a rather good match.

2) Do you feel like you have conducted enough research on the prospect of teaching in Korea to make the move?

~This is a tough one. I would say I am close but I have a few remaining questions like: What made some of the people choose the location where they teach? Personally, I thought Seoul would be good because of the big city atmosphere but I have always wanted to live near the ocean so maybe Busan? Thanks to an injury I have developed arthritis in one joint FAR sooner than anyone should and as a result cold tends to be most unpleasant so I would guess that Busan might be a better choice for this reason as well.

3) There are pros and cons of using recruiters. What are your plans?

~I have contacted a few recruiters but I am also contacting schools on my own. My understanding is that it can go either way whether or not you use a recruiter so once again it comes down to information...Learn what you can.

4) Do you plan to sign a contract without seeing the school or living environment or will you make the concerted effort to visit and job hunt while there?

~This I suspect is mostly based in the type of person one is. Personally, I know I have already survived the worst part of my life so the idea of signing sight unseen concerns me but I feel that with proper due diligence I can find a suitable school, living arrangement, etc.

5) Quite a few folks have mentioned that one can save a substantial amount while working in Korea. Have you figured out whether or not to wire money home or simply send an atm card to a family member you trust?

~I wanted to include this one because I think that this issue gets lost with us "newbies" as we tend to concentrate on so many other things. Obviously, tending to our affairs while overseas is still very important. For me, I believe that it might be best to send an atm card home. However, I make this decision when I was looking at Seoul. Now that I am trying to home in on Busan this might not be so likely. I don't know. A vet might have to comment on this for me.

6) Are you aware that this is a completely different culture?

~This is common sense but again I felt compelled to bring it up as I tend to see some posts that reflect members who are dissatisfied with teaching in Korea for whatever reason. Ultimately, I think that many of them were simply not frank with themselves as to the fact that life will be different (which is the whole purpose of going to experience life overseas isn't it?).

7) Do you have a contingency in the event that things aren't as stated in the contract?

~This is a considerable question in my book but I have recently come to the conclusion that no game was ever won by sitting on the sidelines and wondering what if... My advice here is jot down a few efl legal websites. Additionally, from what I can see, there is a great deal of support right here on these forums.

What do you tend to tell people when you mention that you are considering teaching overseas generally and Korea specifically and they invariably say:"blah blah blah dangerous"?

~You can die just getting out of the shower. Shouldn't you be hiding under a rock? The sky looks like it might be falling.

9) In all reality, what is your number one concern?

~Will I be a great teacher? I suspect that a lot of people are like me in that they tend to define themselves by how good they are at their job. We are ultimately talking about the education of other human beings and that is a responsibility that seems to get lost on this forum until some salty teacher snaps reality into some goof looking at this endeavor for the wrong reasons.

10) What's the one thing that you cannot live without overseas?

I'd like to wrap things up by mentioning that I had read somewhere in the forums that folks were bringing coffee from home to get them through the year or so that they intended to teach. All I have to say here is; PLEASE tell me I can get coffee! I can handle just about anything but one cannot tolerate such an inhumane condition with the lack of such a basic need in order to sustain life! I don't know folks, this could be a deal breaker.


Now if you'll excuse me I need to go brew another pot. Peace n chicken grease.

[Sina qua non]

[Woland]

[swetepete]

7) Do you have a contingency in the event that things aren't as stated in the contract?
this is a very very important point. or, as some people say, "word."

[Qinella]

[PRagic]

All or most of these are covered in the 'stickies'. Move along...nothing to see here....ok....break it up and go home.

[mrd]

PRagic - time to do us all a favour: heed your own adivce and leave.

[jewelz]

ha ha Pragic... I agree. Sounds like soem evangelical talk show... You can find those fluffy Q & A's by using your fingers; type into the search field !

[kimchi story]

Oh man sometimes the funniest things come up...

Quinelle, you wrote, "I advise you to demand coious photographs. Everyone and his sister has a digicam these days. "

If the missing letter is a 'p', that's all fine. But if it's a 't' it's a whole different story...

I guess it's apparent now I have been playing NHL 07 for tooo long today and should prob'ly get out...but Crosby is just rockin' it soooo bad.

[Qinella]

[kimchi story]

[PsykLaw]

Wow. It appears as though we've jumped the shark here.

As for comments such as Pragic's, well, aren't we just God's gift?

[poet13]

Welcome to Korea, the land of the not quite right.

2) Just be aware that no matter how much research you do, things will invariably be different from what you are promised. If you can live with what you get, roll with it. If you absolutely can't, stick to your guns, and be prepared to jump ship. Don't be a doormat. (I was, and now I'm not)

Great to do all the research into schools, but would also suggest doing some research into the culture (if you haven't). It's easy to offend people here, something as simple as giving or receiving something with the wrong hand. Learn how the hierarchy works with age and position. Read up on the effects of losing your temper. Learn why Koreans smile when they f-up...etc.

Try everything twice. Some people say once, I say twice, cause some things here are so very different, the difference alone can put you off, so at least the second time you know what to expect.

First and foremost, your first time out, drink only about a third as much soju as you THINK you can. (Thank me later.)