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andy202
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
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 Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:20 am Post subject: I am happy in Korea |
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I am happy in Korea. I like the food (assuming I can avoid the food I don't like). I like my job (provided I can have a good night's sleep) and, though I miss my family, I don't miss having to deal with all the family-related capers that arise in my absence (there have been a few).
Having been in Korea for 9 months, my yearning to be back home, where things are trusted and familiar, has mellowed and I have arrived at a point where I feel my view of the situation is fairly balanced.
And the point is? I think when I leave Korea I will come to miss it more than I miss home. Korea year 2 is on the cards.
NB. This thread is intended to attract responses from people who initially struggled to cope with life in Korea but who got used to it and started to think about coming back again. Ta everyone, and have a splendid Spring Break. |
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Roch
Joined: 24 Apr 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:39 am Post subject: Re: I am happy in Korea |
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| andy202 wrote: |
I am happy in Korea. I like the food (assuming I can avoid the food I don't like). I like my job (provided I can have a good night's sleep) and, though I miss my family, I don't miss having to deal with all the family-related capers that arise in my absence (there have been a few).
Having been in Korea for 9 months, my yearning to be back home, where things are trusted and familiar, has mellowed and I have arrived at a point where I feel my view of the situation is fairly balanced.
And the point is? I think when I leave Korea I will come to miss it more than I miss home. Korea year 2 is on the cards.
NB. This thread is intended to attract responses from people who initially struggled to cope with life in Korea but who got used to it and started to think about coming back again. Ta everyone, and have a splendid Spring Break. |
Word up: One can have a good life in the R.O.K. (just don't get sucked into an N.I.S./Nigerian thang). |
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Vancouver
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:00 am Post subject: |
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| i liked Korea when I was there...going back in December^^ |
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Pendennis
Joined: 30 Dec 2006
Location: Cornwall
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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I did a year... then another year. Then I left.
I know what you mean because I'm looking forward to coming back.
A-Ha |
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the1andonly
Joined: 08 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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I hated working and living in Korea. I liked hanging out in Korea.
I miss Korea now that Im gone. But still shudder at parts of it. Would never ever want to work there again.
But for some odd reason, it does have its 'charm'. |
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dog_disco
Joined: 25 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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| NB. This thread is intended to attract responses from people who initially struggled to cope with life in Korea but who got used to it and started to think about coming back again. |
...My first three months here sucked so bad. It was entirely to do with the fact I had never taught before +/or had spent any time with kids. Those first weeks I was depressed, insomniac + convinced I would be fired due to obvious + extreme incompetence at my job.
...Fortunately for me, few ESL teachers in Korea have ever been sacked for not knowing how to teach.
...Nine months in the situation has completely changed. My job is awesome + I generally enjoy most things this city (Seoul) has to offer. The only thing I can't get used to (nor will I ever) is the rampant pollution.
...I've got a couple of things I'm looking into back in Canada for next year, but regardless of what happens for late '07 + '08: for me it's not a matter of if I'll be back in Korea after this is over, but when. |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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--deleted for excessive nastiness--
(it was right on point, though) |
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faster
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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| I was back-and-forth about staying here for my first 6 months or so. I've now been here almost five years and have loved my work and my life in general, and things just took what appears to be a turn for the better. If new situations work out, I may be here a long time. |
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mole
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
Location: Act III
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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I've told my story here before, but as I get more senile, I'm allowed to repeat.
I went to K-land intending to stay one year. Near the end of that year, (1997) the entire economy collapsed.
My hagwon went bankrupt, and I had no ticket home and very little money.
Found a new stable job and stayed over 9 years. Met lots of great folks from all over the world and had a great time.
I just have a few years' worth of family business to wrap up, then plan to return.
Maybe even retire there. |
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SPINOZA
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Location: $eoul
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Korea is an absolute doddle. I'd love nothing more than to bury my fist into the face of those who disagree. |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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| What's a 'doddle', tough guy? Somethin you did to ya momma? |
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SPINOZA
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Location: $eoul
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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| doddle = something easy |
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oneofthesarahs
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: Sacheon City
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:06 pm Post subject: |
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I've only been here four months, but I can see my happiness level generally increasing the longer I've been here. The first month I was basically miserable until I learned to cope with not ever ever seeing any other foreigners.
I'm already toying with the idea of sticking around for another year or so. I doubt I would become a lifer, but I could see myself staying for a few more years. |
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andy202
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
My first three months here sucked so bad. It was entirely to do with the fact I had never taught before +/or had spent any time with kids. Those first weeks I was depressed, insomniac + convinced I would be fired due to obvious + extreme incompetence at my job.
...Fortunately for me, few ESL teachers in Korea have ever been sacked for not knowing how to teach.
...Nine months in the situation has completely changed. My job is awesome + I generally enjoy most things this city (Seoul) has to offer. The only thing I can't get used to (nor will I ever) is the rampant pollution.
...I've got a couple of things I'm looking into back in Canada for next year, but regardless of what happens for late '07 + '08: for me it's not a matter of if I'll be back in Korea after this is over, but when.
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This is a happy story. I too was utterly incompetent when I first started teaching but fortunately it wasn't too obvious as I was teaching at a school full of incompetence, the tone being set by the director herself.
Now that I am looking to return for another year, I think I am ready to work in a moderately capable school.
For those willing to brave a second year, the outlook seems much less daunting than when we first set out. You know the job, the culture, even the language. You can make a more informed decision about where you want to live and of course, your year's experience should be worth a fair increase in earnings. OK Korea - Round 2.... |
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i_teach_esl
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Location: baebang, asan/cheonan
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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| yeah, in all honesty i've not regretted coming to korea for even a second. i like it here. |
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