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| Is there a mass exodus happening? |
| Yes. Definately. More than in the past. |
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27% |
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| No. The usual number of contracts ending. |
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46% |
[ 22 ] |
| Something is in the air... and it's catching. |
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25% |
[ 12 ] |
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| Total Votes : 47 |
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happygirl
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
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 Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:48 pm Post subject: Is there a mass exodus happening? |
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Is it because I'm headed home that I'm seeing so many people departing Korea forever? Or is it just the time of the year?
I don't remember this many people counting the days to departure last year. Do you think there are a larger number this year who are not renewing their contracts? |
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The_Conservative
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Is there a mass exodus happening? |
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| happygirl wrote: |
Is it because I'm headed home that I'm seeing so many people departing Korea forever? Or is it just the time of the year?
I don't remember this many people counting the days to departure last year. Do you think there are a larger number this year who are not renewing their contracts? |
There are more people leaving because there are more people coming to Korea. And remember that (based on past evidence anyways) that about 80% or so of the people swearing they will never work in Korea again...will be back in a few months. The old-timers on the board see this every year. |
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Privateer
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Location: Easy Street.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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| You can check out any time you like but you can never leave. |
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RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't know anybody leaving soon. |
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dmbfan
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| You can check out any time you like but you can never leave |
If God has sense of humor, he would make that my hell.
dmbfan |
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Dev
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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| I heard the SMOE is retaining a hundred teachers or so. That sounds like an impressive number, but I don't exactly know the total amount of teachers they have. |
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pest2
Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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| In my province, alot of ppl are not renewing thier PS contracts and heading home forever. However, I know from past experience that PS teachers generally do renew more often... Korea PS systems hired alot of FTs just this year for the first time, and from what I can see they did a pisss poor job of planning beforehand. Effect: alot of ppl leaving now. |
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JongnoGuru
Joined: 25 May 2004
Location: peeing on your doorstep
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:19 pm Post subject: Re: Is there a mass exodus happening? |
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| happygirl wrote: |
Is it because I'm headed home that I'm seeing so many people departing Korea forever? Or is it just the time of the year?
I don't remember this many people counting the days to departure last year. Do you think there are a larger number this year who are not renewing their contracts? |
It's not just because you're heading home, nor is it just that time of year, Happygirl. I've been reading this board for a few years, and *I'm* noticing it as well. But the board is the board, it's not a live webcam feed from Incheon Departures & Arrivals. And there'll be flukes & coincidences here. They can create a sort of mirage, and the mirage we're seeing looks like more people than normal are leaving Korea, whereas it's just that (for whatever reasons) more people are TELLING US they're leaving. Generally, there'll be two dozen "I'm coming to Korea, what should I pack?!!" threads for every one "So long & farewell".
I wonder what proto-Dave's ESL Cafe looked like in the depths of Korea's "I.M.F.-cked" Crisis, when the local currency turned to pretty toilet paper and foreigners by the thousands were suddenly unable to make their student loan & CC payments. I wasn't even aware of Dave's back then and yet I could hear the stampede for the exits.
For me the Great Exodus of 1992 will forever stand as the worst. Nearly every foreigner I knew here & respected & counted on, people who were, compared to me, incredibly connected & successful & settled & had been here so long that I blithely assumed would always be here if I needed them... they left in droves. My address book shrunk from 4 pages to 1/2 page. The jig was up, Korea had played itself out, no point in staying, it's only going to get worse, and, and, and... For myself, having basically just arrived in the Republic, fresh on the heels of two very short stints in Hong Kong & Japan, it was EXTREMELY disheartening. Both that everyone who constituted my safety & support network was scattering to the four winds, and that it was in so many cases a judgment call of Korea -- that the place was played out, the good times are over. "Oh, the economy will soar to new heights, Koreans will get richer, and everyone will have flush toilets... but it won't be worth staying to watch". |
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uberscheisse
Joined: 02 Dec 2003
Location: japan is better than korea.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| i'm leaving in october. |
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formerflautist
Joined: 30 May 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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| It seems a number on this board are leaving. I am, on July 3rd. It's my second tour and I'm burnt out. I'm even having trouble keeping up being nice with adults so I know it's time to go. |
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ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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I'll be gone September 1st. Like formerflautist this is my second time here. I am at the stage where lots of things are beginning to get to me, so it's deffo time for a break.
I can't say for certain that I won't ever come back, cos you never know 
ilovebdt |
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in_seoul_2003
Joined: 24 Nov 2003
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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My first round in Korea was only a year and a half and so I felt it wasn't sufficient and came back.
My second round of 3 and a half is now coming to an end and I know I will never be back. It's not the life I want anymore. I'd rather volunteer for nothing with an organization that can teach me something then come back to teach english for millions a month. Life is too short, it's time for something new. |
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happygirl
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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Those of you who are leaving are saying what I've been feeling. It hasn't been a bad run. In fact, I have no regrets. I'm grateful for the 2 years I've been here, but I am past ready to be gone.
Last finals are today then I have to wait around 2 weeks to input grades. Wish I was leaving this Thursday instead of in 2 weeks. Don't want to spend any of the little money I've earned (no severance, no employer matching on pension, no airfare) so I'm not traveling. I've got no clue what I'm going to do to fill up the time. Everything is already packed and shipped home...... |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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| happygirl wrote: |
Those of you who are leaving are saying what I've been feeling. It hasn't been a bad run. In fact, I have no regrets. I'm grateful for the 2 years I've been here, but I am past ready to be gone.
Last finals are today then I have to wait around 2 weeks to input grades. Wish I was leaving this Thursday instead of in 2 weeks. Don't want to spend any of the little money I've earned (no severance, no employer matching on pension, no airfare) so I'm not traveling. I've got no clue what I'm going to do to fill up the time. Everything is already packed and shipped home...... |
no severance,
no employer matching on pension,
no airfare
Are youi ever coming back? if not why the hell dont you leave tomorrow? Your boss is cheating you out of thousands of dollars, screw the school and leave them with tons of paperwork and no teacher. |
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kat2
Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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I feel the same. About a 6-9 months ago most of my friends left. The few that remain are leaving in a month or two. I'm only hear through december, so the motivation to make new friends is lacking. I don't have any close friends who are in their first year here, and it seems like nearly all the longtimers I know are leaving for good in the next few months. Its going to be a lonely fall for us.
We've had a good run here, but we both are ready to settle into a more permanent life back in the states. I'll really miss a lot about Korea though (probably more than I think I will). I really hope the adjustment goes easy... |
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