Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KristaLynn]

.... that I'm NOT walking into a slave-labor situation?

In the end, my argument always seems to have to go back to me wanting to say, "Look, I'm almost 23. Look! No umbilical cord!"

But, honestly... Sarcasm and rude remarks aside... I honestly believe that, right now, my father's life *is* his children. To have one go halfway across the world is terrifying him to no end.. He's on of those very matter of fact, show me in black and white type people.

So, how do I show him in black and white? Internet conversations, claims that I've researched as much as possible, the fact that he knows that I've been talking to my recruiter and new director... He just thinks it's unbelievable that I'm "giving up" on my major (which, btw, was Spanish and education...don't understand his argument on that at all) and going so far away.

I think he's nuts because... hey, I'm a young adult, entirely unattached as far as having to bring anyone or even any "special needs" necessities with me...

While, yes, I know, in the end it's going to have to be a "Look, you'll just have to get over it." I STILL want to be able to leave him with enough information that he's going to feel somewhat better with. Any suggestions? Anyone else face this?

On that note... I'm going to to eastern Seoul, anyone have any suggestions for a good place on cellphones/plans/internet plans? I think having the ability to communicate with him will be a huge help.

Thankees!

[Yo!Chingo]

I guess the best thing for you to do is exactly what you have been doing. Keep feeding him information about Korea. BTW is he internet savy? Let him do some digging on his own. The truth of the matter is that Korea's really not a bad place to live and it's rather civilized compared to many countries. No terrorist bombings or malaria outbreaks ( at least not this year )The pay's good for a recent college graduate and you can make a lifetime's worth of memories. Push those 2 facts along with the the fact that it's only temporary. I mean you don't intend on living in Korea forever! Also you're completely right about the communication issue. Call him at least twice per week if not more the first while you're here. It'll reassure him.

My situation was a little different coming over here. My husband and I moved here together and I'm not a teacher, but we still moved halfway across the world. I'm a daddy's girl and my father was none too happy about the move either. He's also something of a black and white kinda guy who still thinks about the Korean War and a war ravaged nation as being Korea. I had to talk up the good points and I was firm about the temporary nature of the relocation. He finally relented.

Parents love their kids and ultimately only want what's best for them. It's your job as the object of that affection to convince him that this is what's best for you at this moment. It's always a tough sell.

Good luck!

[Young FRANKenstein]

Why the need to convince them at all? If you can make decisions like the adult you claim you are, you'll just go.

Easier to ask forgiveness than permission (not like you need dad's permission anyway)

[spliff]

[Yo!Chingo]

[pkang0202]

All else fails, I'll give you my picture and you can be like "Dad, I'm having his baby so I'm moving to Korea to be with him."

Thats when you've exhausted all other means.


Seriously, its not a bad place at all. Tell you dad about all the international things that have been hosted in Korea. Olympics, World Cup, and World Expo. The criteria for hosting the Olympics is quite strict and very competitive.

PM me and I can send you pictures of the city and areas that I've taken in Korea. Your dad can see that its very modern. Make sure you tell your recruiter/school that you want to be close to a large city. Ilsan, Suwon, Bundang are very good locations right outside Seoul.

Korea has laws banning firearms and other weapons. The murder rate is extremely low. You aren't going to get raped unless you do something incredibly stupid like go drinking with a bunch of guys you don't know and you black out. The same thing happens on college campuses all over the US.

[dogshed]

I use the US version of yahoo messenger. It lets me call any phone
in the US for a penny per minute. I've installed it on two different
computers at work. You should be able to use that right away.
If you use it computer to computer it is free and you can add video.

I used an American debit card and an American address to be
sure I get the American rate. I also use it from my Korean
apartment to call local numbers. It's charged as a call from
the US to Korea but that rate is also very low.

If I'm at another school and need to make a phone call I can
install the program in about two minutes. I have a small headset
in my bag.

[dogshed]