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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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aristotle84
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
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 Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:55 pm Post subject: Korean Hiring Process is Racist |
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Hello all, I don't know if anyone else has come across this disconcerting problem, but I am Korean-American and currently interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, specifically Seoul. Every recruiter I have come across has told me that since I am Korean-American, the hagwons in Seoul do NOT provide free housing. They said if I had blonde hair and blue eyes (otherwise known as being WHITE) I would indeed receive free housing. This is absolutely strange, and racist.
Have any other Korean-Americans come across this same problem? However, they did say that if I were to take a position outside of Seoul in another part of Korea, then housing would not be a problem. It's not just one recruiter, but several who have given me the same response. I wonder if there are any black teachers working over in Korea. Anyhow, this is truly sad for them to discriminate against their own people. |
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Khyron
Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Korean Hiring Process is Racist |
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| aristotle84 wrote: |
Hello all, I don't know if anyone else has come across this disconcerting problem, but I am Korean-American and currently interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, specifically Seoul. Every recruiter I have come across has told me that since I am Korean-American, the hagwons in Seoul do NOT provide free housing. They said if I had blonde hair and blue eyes (otherwise known as being WHITE) I would indeed receive free housing. This is absolutely strange, and racist.
Have any other Korean-Americans come across this same problem? However, they did say that if I were to take a position outside of Seoul in another part of Korea, then housing would not be a problem. It's not just one recruiter, but several who have given me the same response. I wonder if there are any black teachers working over in Korea. Anyhow, this is truly sad for them to discriminate against their own people. |
Yes, it is sad. I had a few gyopo friends when I lived in Korea that told me about this as well. Are you being offered less money as well?
The reason is not with the employers so much, but with the parents. They can't get it through their sheltered and, sometimes unknowingly, racists heads that language ability has nothing to do with looks. Employers are reluctant to hire non-Asians (non-whites actually, but expecially Asians) because they are afraid that when the parents see that a pretty blonde haired, blue eyes lad or lass isn't the one teaching theirs kids, they will pull their kids out of their school and find a new one.
The country of your ancestors is indeed a racist place.
Please do not settle for less than what everyone else is getting though. You should be able to find the same deal in Seoul if you keep looking, but it will take longer.
There is a plus side though... If you want to teach private lessons (which are illegal for foreigners in most cases; depending on visa status), you can get away with it easier. Since you're technically Korean (by heritage), there will be more of a blind eye here. Still be careful though. |
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melvaughn
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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| I have an African American friend who wanted to teach in my small conservative city four hours outside of Seoul. My supervisor just gasped, threw down her picture and refused to talk to me for the rest of the day. I have yet to see a black in this city so yes, I'd day they are pretty rascist. |
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aristotle84
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Yea, thanks for the info, I'm glad I'm not the only one that is seeing this happening. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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I know gyopos who've got free housing close to Seoul, so it's not like it's some sort of policy - you just had bad luck in this case.
And yes, Korea is racist. There will be advantages and disadvantages to the way you look. |
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Smee
Joined: 24 Dec 2004
Location: Jeollanam-do
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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South Korea is racist in many respects.
On job boards you'll see plenty of jobs that only want Kyopos. And, though no advertised, you'll find lots of jobs that want nothing to do with you.
You'll meet people curious about you and happy to know that you're coming to "rediscover your Korean roots" (regardless of how inappropriate/incorrect that is.) And, you'll meet plenty of people disappointed that you don't speak Korean better. Sometimes Koreans will treat you like a foreigner. And sometimes foreigners will treat you like a Korean. |
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Gwangjuboy
Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Location: England
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Korean Hiring Process is Racist |
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| aristotle84 wrote: |
Hello all, I don't know if anyone else has come across this disconcerting problem, but I am Korean-American and currently interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, specifically Seoul. Every recruiter I have come across has told me that since I am Korean-American, the hagwons in Seoul do NOT provide free housing. They said if I had blonde hair and blue eyes (otherwise known as being WHITE) I would indeed receive free housing. This is absolutely strange, and racist.
Have any other Korean-Americans come across this same problem? However, they did say that if I were to take a position outside of Seoul in another part of Korea, then housing would not be a problem. It's not just one recruiter, but several who have given me the same response. I wonder if there are any black teachers working over in Korea. Anyhow, this is truly sad for them to discriminate against their own people. |
Can you speak Korean? |
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John Henry
Joined: 24 Sep 2004
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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Yes. Korea is a very racist place. Sometimes I think they don't understand how racist they are because they are such a sheltered country. I feel embarassed for them.
It completely discredits any sort of "Hub of Asia" claim they could make. As long as Koreans think it's OK teach their children that black people are "dirty", they will never be a developed nation. |
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aristotle84
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: Korean Hiring Process is Racist |
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| Gwangjuboy wrote: |
| aristotle84 wrote: |
Hello all, I don't know if anyone else has come across this disconcerting problem, but I am Korean-American and currently interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, specifically Seoul. Every recruiter I have come across has told me that since I am Korean-American, the hagwons in Seoul do NOT provide free housing. They said if I had blonde hair and blue eyes (otherwise known as being WHITE) I would indeed receive free housing. This is absolutely strange, and racist.
Have any other Korean-Americans come across this same problem? However, they did say that if I were to take a position outside of Seoul in another part of Korea, then housing would not be a problem. It's not just one recruiter, but several who have given me the same response. I wonder if there are any black teachers working over in Korea. Anyhow, this is truly sad for them to discriminate against their own people. |
Can you speak Korean? |
Yes I can speak some Korean, although not on par with the natives. |
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Teufelswacht
Joined: 06 Sep 2004
Location: Land Of The Not Quite Right
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Korean Hiring Process is Racist |
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| aristotle84 wrote: |
Hello all, I don't know if anyone else has come across this disconcerting problem, but I am Korean-American and currently interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, specifically Seoul. Every recruiter I have come across has told me that since I am Korean-American, the hagwons in Seoul do NOT provide free housing. They said if I had blonde hair and blue eyes (otherwise known as being WHITE) I would indeed receive free housing. This is absolutely strange, and racist.
Have any other Korean-Americans come across this same problem? However, they did say that if I were to take a position outside of Seoul in another part of Korea, then housing would not be a problem. It's not just one recruiter, but several who have given me the same response. I wonder if there are any black teachers working over in Korea. Anyhow, this is truly sad for them to discriminate against their own people. |
I agree with you that Korea is racist many ways.
I was with you but admit to be a little bit taken aback by your last statement. I may be reading too much into it but isn't it truly sad
for them to discriminate regardless of a person's heritage? When I read the last sentence it almost seemed as if you were saying discrimination is bad but it is even worse when they do it with a Kyopo. In my opinion discrimination is repulsive regardless of the ethnicity of the person who is the victim of discrimination.
But look on the bright side, I could be wrong but I think you would have a smaller chance of experiencing the following because of your ethnicity:
(1) being refused membership at certain health clubs
(2) refused entrance at certain nightclubs
(3) refused service at certain restaurants
(4) becoming the subject of incessant stares and sometimes racist comments by idiots on the subway
(5) becoming the subject of local news stories labeling you a pervert and criminal just because of your ethnicity and vocation.
(6) enduring stares and comments as you walk down the street with your Korean girlfriend or wife
(7) being subject to a slave - master employment relationship that can come with the E-2 Visa
etc., etc., etc.
I do have a question, though. Why should an employer offer you housing when, presumably, you can work/live in Korea on the F-4 Visa? Having this visa means that you can jump ship freely and work privates just like any other Korean. With that kind of economic freedom - unavailable to the vast majority of foreigners teaching English in Korea - why should they give you housing? They usually don't give it to other Korean employees. After all, as you implied, you are one of "their" people. Is it your assertion that because of your ethnicity you shouldn't be discriminated against by other Koreans? If so, they are treating you like a Korean by not offering you housing, aren't they? If so, what is the problem?
Oh, and I am friends with a Kyopo teacher in my small town and they were not offered housing for the reasons I just mentioned. The teacher still makes a lot more money than most foreigners in town, I believe, because he has taken advantage of the economic freedom being a Kyopo on an F-4 Visa provides.
Just my two cents. Flame away.
Take care and good luck.
T |
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alinkorea
Joined: 02 May 2005
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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Remember when you're rejected for a job due to color or race, don't do the simple thing and lay the blame squarely at the feet of the prospective employer. Schools have racist hiring practices because students and parents (ie. Korean society) is racist.
In many instances student numbers would fall in the teacher was anything but white. If a teacher has an Oriental appearance, then parents can't brag about it. If the teacher is, gasp black, then a significant of parents would pull their kids out of the school for all sorts of irrational reasons.
Undoubtedly this is the most neagative aspect of Korean culture: their uber nationalism, a by product of which is widespread racism. |
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cuckoococoon
Joined: 11 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: Korean Hiring Process is Racist |
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| aristotle84 wrote: |
Hello all, I don't know if anyone else has come across this disconcerting problem, but I am Korean-American and currently interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, specifically Seoul. Every recruiter I have come across has told me that since I am Korean-American, the hagwons in Seoul do NOT provide free housing. They said if I had blonde hair and blue eyes (otherwise known as being WHITE) I would indeed receive free housing. This is absolutely strange, and racist.
Have any other Korean-Americans come across this same problem? However, they did say that if I were to take a position outside of Seoul in another part of Korea, then housing would not be a problem. It's not just one recruiter, but several who have given me the same response. I wonder if there are any black teachers working over in Korea. Anyhow, this is truly sad for them to discriminate against their own people. |
I know plenty of Korean-American and Korea-Canadian teachers who got housing. You need to let them know that your FIRST language is English. If you don't speak Korean at all, you should tell them... they will like you more.
The problem I see is that you are using a recruiter.
Are you married to the idea of Seoul? There are other cities around that are nice to live in... and close by. Suwon? Bundang? |
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ChuckECheese
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I know plenty of Korean-American and Korea-Canadian teachers who got housing. You need to let them know that your FIRST language is English. If you don't speak Korean at all, you should tell them... they will like you more. |
If your first language is English and can also speak Korean fairly well, you are more valued than the non-Korean speaking Kyopo.
I know a several Kyopo, who's into teaching specifically test prep, i.e. Toefl, SAT, etc. and making well over 3 million plus all the perks including housing.
OP, if you feel that the recruiter is not giving you all the scoops, you should look else where where you are more valued than discriminated against.[/quote] |
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aristotle84
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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| everyone, thanks your input. all of you have made great points. i will definitely look into the F-4 visa, as it sounds like something i should heavily consider. appreciate it folks |
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Hyeon Een
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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| If you won't to give public school teaching a go they hire (almost) anyone regardless of race, age or looks. You might like that better than a hagwan anyway. |
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