Korean Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

I realise that it's subjective, but how much could a newbie to SK, but with five years experience and an MA save in a month? I'm married to a Peruvian, and would have to find him a job as well. WE live frugally here in Peru and save about 1000USD a month, go out rarely and shop at markets. How could we do in SK?

[shaunew]

Well on a e-2 visa I say about the same 1000 a month, but there are two of you so maybe less. You will get an apartment but if you are in Seoul the price for daily living items will be alot higher then in Peru.

[Fresh Prince]

Funny, I was thinking about switching from Korea to South America or Latin America.

Most entry-level jobs teaching English here in Korea start at around 2,000,000 won. The only requirements are a Bachelors degree in any subject and to have a passport from one of the approved countries. I think I've read on some of your posts in the Latin America forums that you would qualify for this visa. The approved countries for an E-2 (English teaching) visa are: The U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, The UK, South Africa, and Canada.

They usually deduct around 200,000 won to 300,000 won from your paycheck for things like taxes, medical insurance, pension, etc., but those things depend on a lot of factors.

As far as savings go, most people say that they find it easy to save 1,000,000 won every month even though they to out and have fun on the weekends, and travel a bit. If you really want to live frugally it is possible to save a lot more. I know one person that lived like a hermit and hardly ever used the heat/air-conditioning so he was able to save nearly all his paycheck.

As far as your husband, he would qualify for a spousal visa which means he can't work legally, or could find a job teaching Spanish on a different visa. Spanish language classes aren't as popular as English language classes but if you do your research you can find them. Would he qualify to teach at a university? I've never seen any Spanish Hokwons but I'm sure that univerisities would have need for qualified native Spanish speakers.

English teaching jobs are pretty easy to get and since they include free housing, a one-month bonus at the end of the contract, and free airfare, it should be easy for you and your husband to save a lot of money here in Korea. With your qualifications you are light-years ahead of most of the teachers here so you should be able to find a higher paying job as long as you do a lot of research.

Your posts on the Latin America forums are extremely helpful, thanks for that.

[naturegirl321]

For some reason I thought that people could save about 2K USD a month in SK, but it seems like I'd be saving the same in SK than in Peru. Would it be fair to say that in a year we could only save 12000USD?

My husband couldn't work at a university, so it looks like we're out of luck

[Fresh Prince]

Ya, saving 2k USD a month would be tough to do for most people working one job although it would be possible if you were really frugal and earned a higher salary than normal.

Saving 12,000USD a year is really the norm but with a MA and experience and a little luck you might find one that pays more. There are jobs out there that pay 3,000,000 a month but they pay that for a reason: Maybe they require really long hours, a strange shift, weekends, or something. If you wanted to work 2 jobs and have no life then that's possible too, although most people find it to be really stressful dealing with one hokwon job alone. It would be tough for your husband if he wasn't working though.

Really though, it sounds like Korea might not as good as Peru in your situation.

[tigerbluekitty]

[naturegirl321]

I think you're right. Sure we could go to Korea or the ME, but I'd be the only one working.

So everyone on the job discussion forum who says that you can easily save 20K USD a year must be working super hard?

[Fresh Prince]

[tigerbluekitty]

[PRagic]

If you have your MA and experience, apply directly to universities. Given the reduced number of contact hours compared to hakwon teaching, most people can make a lot on the side. Most universities offer paid overtime, and some even farm out editing or affiliated teaching at their institutes. You'll save, espeicially if your housing is included. The downside, of course, is that you may have two people living off one income.

[thegadfly]

If only one person is living off the salary, it is easier to save money than two people on the same salary. I spend about 400,000-800,000 won a month for my various activities (not including utilities), which means I can save about $2k USD a month easily...if I had a partner, I would guess another 400-800k, so only $1,200 or so.

My salary is a bit higher than average, but then, yours should be as well with an MA. I am neither a social butterfly nor a hermit (and I like to eat out, and eat well).

If you both had SOME kind of income, I would say $2k should be pretty easy.

[magicmajenta]

How about the cost of living in Busan? Is it high or low by Korean standards compared to other places in the country?

[LexusNexus]

I know someone who is making about 6 million Won per month.

About $6,000 USD per month.

This person works all the time.


My question is, how do they do this?

Do they get the main job and get the E-2 and then get side work?


I suppose this must be the case.

(I don't ask my friend for specifics, because we're in two separate countries, but his earning have been confirmed by two other people who know both of us.)

$6,000 is per month is a lot.

[oskinny1]

It is much easier to save if you aren't living in Seoul. I am in Busan and will leave after one year with about 17 million won. I did not go out drinking much but I also was not a hermit. I spent quite a bit paying off debt and buying stuff. It is possible to save, but why would you ant to leave SA? I hope to be there in a few months.

[Tiger Beer]

Get a university job. You'll have paid vacations for 5 months of the year, and you can work intensive english camps during the breaks.

For your Peruvian husband. There is a Peruvian community here, mostly involved with import/export of Peruvian jewelry, clothing, etc.