Going to Korea

I get the question of "What is it like in Korea" a lot from friends, family and people who read the blog and my Virtual Tourist pages. Well, I hope this little blog and my VT tips help, but here is a longer list of what it's like to work, teach and/or live in Korea for an extended time:

If you're looking to go there to work you should get all the good/bad news first. Read all the blogs and webpages you can and don't believe the dreamy stories you hear from recruiters. Shawn Matthews has a pretty good book for sale on his blog (I reviewed it on my blog) that might be of interest.

Challenges about teaching (or living/working in general) in Korea:

(i) You make only about 2,000,000 won (which translates to about 1,800 USD a month) but you can make 50-100% more a month once you get into it and book some juicy privates (by this I mean private lessons, not aggressive stuff). If you're into finance you can make more as there are few foreigners who come to Korea for a limited time, let alone an extended visit of a few years.

(ii) The schools may try to screw you over if not for profit but because they, themselves, are losing money hand-over-fist. It happens. It also can happen in regular firms, but the schools are a little famous for it.

(iii) The accomodation can be less than desireable/as advertised. You won't really know until you get there and check it out. If you're a high-priced expat you may be able to get lodging at the swanky serviced reseidences like Fraser Suites.

(iv) If you're referred to or recruited by a current teacher you may not be getting the real goods: many are required by their employers to rope-a-dope a new teacher before being able to bow out of their contract early. Ask a former teacher for the goods on the firm and its people, but also keep in mind that they may have left for any number of reasons.

(v) Koreans like White people...then Asians then those of a darker tone. Call it racist or whatever you like, it's how things are. They also revere men over women and older people over younger ones (although they seem to prefer younger foreign teachers to older ones).

(vi) If you screw up with a Korean and they like you then it's ok. If they don't end up liking you then you're dead no matter what you do. They're a little set in their ways like that. However, if they need you then you have some rope (and a bargaining chip).

(vii) Koreans are horrendously emotional and you'll probably never fully understand their 'logic' (I was there 2 years and married to my wife for 5 years....and get daily reminders of this...and I don't think it's just me; she says the same thing about us Westerners too). Just figure out as much as you can not to get into too much trouble (don't speak up to superiors/older people;
praise in public/complain or question in private...and read all my Local Customs in Seoul and South Korea!).

(viii) Know that you are a guest in Korea and will never be an equal to them. It's kind of like being on a pedestle that's in a big hole...you're raised up, but still below to some degree). Only being there a long time and/or marrying one can get you 'in' there (and even then not 100%). Even a Korean son-in-law is considered a guest in the bride's parents' house for 99 years (hint: Koreans think long term on some things).

(ix) Koreans like good looking people (no problem for you). If you're disfigured at all then you're got a much tougher row to ho than here where there are anti-discrimination laws and wheelchair parking spaces. Just another hurdle.

(x) The language will always be an exclusionary thing...you'll not know it when you get there and few Koreans speak English with anything near fluency. Just learn as much as you can as quickly as possible. Mike in London, Ontario is doing just that now.

Opportunities about Korea:

(i) Since you're a foreigner you're treated better than normal Koreans: shorter hours, no need to attend meetings, a degree of respect (which you need to reciprocate in short order).

(ii) You can make good money there with privates and the lower cost of living. With accomodation paid for you can either bank a grand or so a month (I know many that do) and travel the country as well. Just get to know the cheaper markets for things (tactics in my tips, of course).

(iii) Koreans are generally friendly people. If you connect with them they'll NEVER forget you. I saw a guy I worked with a bit a few years ago. A whole-hearted hello and have dinner with me right now was what he gave me...not a simple hi and how are you.

(iv) If you like mountains of spicy food Korea is the place for you. It makes
Tex-Mex look like fish 'n' chips.

Hmmmm....bad outweighs the good in quantity, but the quality of the good can be gigantic.

Ok, that's it for now out of me.