Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BreBre711]

Hi guys!

I just posted on the job forums and I just wanted to say hi! Like i said before, I've been lurking these forums for a weeks trying to prepare myself for when I apply for a teaching job in South Korea.

So here is some info about me:

I'm an American who has been living in Amsterdam for about 3-4 four years (last year I was living in Germany with my ex-NOT going to go into that one) and have been trying to find a job ever since! It's my constant struggle for independence!!

I was an Au Pair my first year, and a promoter my second year...this year I've just been babysitting to get the money for my (4-week INTENSIVE) CELTA course in July as well as my documents and whatever else for when I finally leave this place!!

Anyways, I'm sick of Holland and have always wanted to go to Asia so here I am. There seems to be a lot of negativity about South Korea on here, but I haven't let it get to me, because Holland is the same way and despite my problems here, I've had an overall positive experience here in Holland and we all tend to bitch and complain about some things no matter where we are anyway right? So that is my two-cents on that topic...

Also, my grammar is horrible so please forgive me! I am reading some books and doing exercises recommended to me by my CELTA teacher to help me learn grammar technicalities before the course.

Ok, I'm done! Can't wait to talk to you all!

Bre

[merlot]

[eamo]

Holland is very, very cool.

I spent two Summers there. '92 and '94. Bulb packing jobs around Nordwijkerhout (sp?).

It's a country that many other nations could do well to take a look at for tips on social harmony.

[bixlerscott]

Holland is a very lovely place I enjoyed traveling to many times during my 3 years in Germany for the US Army. As the OP already knows, the Dutch have a unique history of tolerance which is why bud smoking is tolerated, despite being illegal on the books just as in any other place.

Since being in Europe in the late 1990's, I yearned to go back, but the job market is nill for an American who is not there on a business venture with lots of cash to infuse. (not do-able for a college grad of modest means) Now if you have an E.U. passport, your in luck to work in European countries all you want. Lucky ducks.

As for ESL employment in Europe, you may already know, Europe pays less and requires higher qualifications than Korea does who pays the most in the industry, minus Saudi and Iraq, who also require high professional qualifications with several years of experience. (maybe my future adventure in the Arabic world to make $100K a year, I hope)

Europe is so lovely to be and I might take the long way home on my next visit to the USA. I really enjoyed my time in Europe and for years have wished to move back there, but because it is a very matured culture and business market, it is not easy for people of modest means like developing countries are. Korea is still a developing country, albeit, a very affluent one in the past 5 years due to enormous economic growth. The economy is booming and opportunities abound for every one who can legally and (illegally) work here. I have not worked illegally, but I know of people pocketing US $50/hour here doing private one on one English learning consultations. Thats mostly in the big city to my understanding if your money focused.

Korea is a very interesting experience and is actually much more beautiful than I every imagined before coming over, but not so pleasant like a European country is, but still is do-able. No bud and the beer is Shite quality if you care about such recreational things like that. Many people give those finer things in life up for a year or two or longer to save money or pay off student loan debt and just enjoy those when vacationing outside of Korea as they are available in most other countries of the world, minus isolated Korea.

If you like nature and exploring ancient sites, transportation seems to lack, but if you like to travel to cities and within them, then the transportation system is top notch like in western European countries. Guess it's like anywhere else in regards to getting off the beaten path to a more natural wilderness mountain places where old temples lay awaiting to be explored where you need your own motor bike or car. And where good bass fishing is present! Korea has it, but you need your own transportation to get there.

I think the OP might do fine with going to Korea since it's a college graduate of modest means way of traveling the world, while earning about US $30,000 per year(legally with work visa), as long as you do not get into a bad deal. (my worst fear, other than walking in road traffic!) I would say that most schools and thier directors are at least fair enough, if not good honest business people, to work for until the end of contract as long as you do not jump the gun on money and schedule issues that probably will come up any time at the last minute as I have found.

Remember, in Asia, a contract is only a starting point, not a deal set in stone like in the US and Europe so changes will occur that must be negotiated in friendly spirit regardless of how appalling the change is. Korea sure tests and develops my inter-personal skills here. Perhaps that is where professional development lies since the employer usually provides none, not even training. You just dive in and do what you see fit to do when it comes to doing your job. After arriving, asking other foreigners and reading the websites is the only way to gain more insights since the employer tells you absolutely nothing more than your teaching schedule.

Best wishes to you and please do your research first. If you want a recruiter, I would recommend http://www.kimnjoe.com and I also hear that Duff recruiting is good too. You can also go on English newspaper sites and Daves to find job listings.

Good luck to you.

[princess]

Seoul is so much fun, but I should warn you. You are coming to an ugly place, architecturally speaking. Don't expect to see fields of tulips and unique windmill houses here. More like concrete block upon concrete block. But, Seoul is the 3rd largest city in the world. If you can't enjoy yourself and do something here useful, I don't think you could be happy anywhere. Again, just don't expect an architectural mecca.

[princess]

I agree with bixlerscott on some points, but Korea is not THAT isolated. If you don't like Korean beer, you can get all kinds of beers here. You'll just pay more for them, a lot more in some cases. But, beers from all over the world are here. Just my opinion, but I don't think Korean beer is all that bad. I actually like it. Tshingtao from China is the worst beer ever. It smells like farts in a bottle.

[BS.Dos.]

I'm relatively new to DEC myself brebre and I just wanted to offer you a few words so as to try and reassure you that in spite of the fact that your first impressions of teaching in Korea are generally negative, if you keep looking and scratching away, after a few days you'll soon realise that within the hard and negative crusty exterior cracks will begin to appear, and it is through these cracks that you will soon be able to enjoy the soft and delicious positive goo inside.

Voila.

Enjoy.

[Muffin]

The OP is right about the same problems being present in Holland.

When I was planning to go to Korea I read this forum and the blacklists and was horrified to read stories of people not being paid etc. Then I thought 'wait a minute' nearly 20 years ago I went to Holland and ended up working at a company where I was not paid regularly and all the Dutch people there had not been paid for months. Eventually the company went bankrupt and I arrived at work to find the 'offices' (portacabins) dangling from a crane in the sky! I was re-employed at the sister company and all turned out okay. Being young and adaptable it didn't freak me out at all.

Difficult to compare Holland and Korea, but no reason why Korea should not be enjoyable for you. Don't expect the nightlife to be the same though.

Good luck.

[Corporal]

[BreBre711]

you guys are great! Thanks for replying to my posts!!
It's amazing how many of you have lived in Holland! That's pretty cool!

As for Holland, it is not as tolerant as we all think it is...I've met a few Dutch people who had nothing nice to say about the Turkish and Muslim residents here...I think some just hide it VERY well...but despite their pretending to be tolerant, the Dutch aren't extreme like, say the Neo-Nazis in [former East] Germany (I know, I lived in the most neo-nazi populated area when I was in Germany ) They are pretty relaxed, I guess.


As for comparing Holland and South Korea, you are right...there really is no comparing is there? I just said that because I read some things about how the Koreans are pushy (for example when getting on a bus) and about what the current fashion is there and a couple of those things just reminded me of Holland...especially the fashion!! Oh, and how the Koreans are direct...the Dutch are too...they will tell you if something does NOT look good on you and they will lecture you on how you should live your life (I know because every Dutch person I have encountered has tried to dictate what I wear, what I should be doing with my life, how I should be learning the language, etc, etc) At first it upset me, because I assumed nobody would accept me for who I was, but having to deal with it has made me a stronger person and I can handle people being direct now. It is just their way of doing things...

But of course, these are all generalizations and opinions coming from and outsider (me) so it could be possible that I have it all wrong...??


Anyways, I do admit that I'm a little (teensy weensy) bit scared since this experience will be a complete shock to the system, but I decided that I have to do this! I have to make a change in my life and I am tired of being 26 and living with my parents!!! I need to go out and see the world and finally do some good!

Ok, sorry for the rant and for not addressing you all personally, but right now I have very little time on the computer because my parents and I are fixing up our house before our guests come in 2 weeks...I hope to be able to talk to you guys less formally after all this house work!!

TTYL
Bre

P.S.
Corporal, Is that a Dutch flag I see on your signature? Komt u uit Nederland?