I have been looking around for info about teaching in Korea and all I have found so far is some complaining about being ripped off. Korea doesn't have the great reputation although I have not heard any first-hand complaints.
If you can, I'd appreciate any links or personal pieces of advice anyone in Korea may have. I will try to be succinct in describing my situation (but most likely not succeed):
I have a BFA with most of my studies in ceramics (which I would love to do again), I have enough Education credits for this degree to be considered a BEd and I have a US teaching certification. I've taught Art there for three years and I was sick of the US political situation, the scarcity of Art teaching jobs and the abysmal standard of living on a teacher's salary. A friend said Thailand was a good place to teach so I just picked up and went.
I taught in a university prep school and started a Special Education/Art Therapy program. It was the first in Thailand of its kind. The Prince who died in the Tsunami was at the center of this program. When he died, I lost my last job but I learned a whole lot about how Thai (and perhaps Asian) culture deals with the emerging idea of Special Ed.
Right now I have lived in Bangkok for six months and I just started a new job for less money than I'd like (1,000 USD) but my boss seems very fair and straightforward. The Thai teacher I work with is very sweet but speaks almost no English. Day to day this has been frustrating so far. While learning Thai is interesting, I'm not sure how long I will be here and its not a very useful language elsewhere.
So I am trying to decide if I should move on to Korea (or elsewhere, anywhere but the US.) Since I still have money in the bank from my last good paying job I figure now is better than later to decide.
So my list about Thailand pros and cons follows. If anyone has any comparisons to Korea your feedback is appreciated.
Pros:
Thais are really friendly and forgiving if you unintentionally make a mistake about language or social customs.
Young female expats are generally a friendly, fun group that reach out to others.
Bangkok is full of nightlife that is incredibly odd and fun.
Low cost of living (I have a beautiful 2BR condo with a pool for 350 USD)
A beautiful beach is four hours away. A crappy beach is one hour away.
Internet, mobile phones, software, DVD's are cheap and easy to get English language support for.
I've been lucky and not had more than thirty kids in any class. The younger kids are very quick to warm up to a teacher and very loyal and affectionate. I would never get hugs from kids in the US and I get them often here. The kids are open and respond enthusiastically to praise and rewards.
Tons of holidays! I get two months off total. It's easy to travel as well.
Once again, Thais are really friendly, fun and have a laid back approach to life.
Cons:
NOBODY has a BEd. I go to job interviews and the employers ask why I'm not in the US if I am qualified.... Yet they complain that they lack qualified teachers!
I get jerked around. I had to overstay my visa because I was told I had a job then I was told the day before my visa expired that I wanted too much money and they had to think about it. They are ruthless in salary negotiation and nobody I deal with seems to understand the difficulties of being a foreigner here.
The money in USD is the same as I made back home if I work for a high paying school.
The education system here is all about how things look and not about the kids learning. Nobody fails and the kids know it. Schools ask for impossible things and teachers have to make it look like they get done.
The overwhelming majority of expats here are male. While I like friendships with guys, many of these guys are social misfit sexpats. I am an open-minded person but I can only have so many conversations about go-go bars and prostitutes. Some are extremely outspoken about hating Western women. Some of my male friends' girlfriends are so possessive that I am afraid to spend too much time with them.
We also have a few pedophiles and completely unethical teachers. Schools look the other way all too often.
All of the American culture here is Hollywood and Britney Spears. Finding an art film or indie CD is difficult to impossible. (But some Korean movies are great!)
Most foreign teachers only stay about two years. Many of my friends left in March.
I pay more for everything being foreign. I speak enough Thai to bargain and get around but some things are just downright unfair... My electric meter was switched with my neighbor and I was paying double what I should have for three months. Pretending to cry was the only way to get it fixed.
Good coffee, wine, beer, bread and cheese are difficult to impossible to get.
I get lost often. Taxi drivers are unreliable and don't listen when I give directions IN THAI. The city is not at all planned and hard to navigate as well.
Thais can be very sexist in that women are always considered inferior. I don't mind dressing conservatively but I do mind being flat out ignored.
So it sounds like I have more complaints than good things to say but much of it boils down to money. I'm okay with losing touch with culture in the US, after all I did choose to leave. But I want to be able to afford to visit once a year as I do miss friends and family.
So I have not been succinct. Given all of this information, what are my prospects realistically? Would Korea be a better fit or me considering my complaints about Thailand? What is the international community like in Korea? Please give this newbie your opinions and some more information, or at least tell me where to find more. Thanks!
Advice needed about Korea
Moderators: Dimitris, maneki neko2, Lorikeet, Enrico Palazzo, superpeach, cecil2, Mr. Kalgukshi2
Korea
I taught in Korea for a year and it was a very positive experience. The Korean people went out of their way to help foreigners, crime seemed not to exist (although it must), and my school trated me very well.
Should you wish to go, my advice is to follow the common-sense guidelines for any overseas school AND be sure to call the school and ask for the teachers' room (or to speak with a teacher in the rare case there is none). Speak with more than one to get a fair image. Make sure that your rent is paid (but maintence and utilities aren't) and that your apartment is near the school. Also check if it is for you alone, shared, and if shared will you have your own room.
Ask the administration if it retains your passport. If the answer is "yes" look for another school.
If I can be of any more help, please drop me a line- [email protected]
Emil
Should you wish to go, my advice is to follow the common-sense guidelines for any overseas school AND be sure to call the school and ask for the teachers' room (or to speak with a teacher in the rare case there is none). Speak with more than one to get a fair image. Make sure that your rent is paid (but maintence and utilities aren't) and that your apartment is near the school. Also check if it is for you alone, shared, and if shared will you have your own room.
Ask the administration if it retains your passport. If the answer is "yes" look for another school.
If I can be of any more help, please drop me a line- [email protected]
Emil