I am an American teaching English at middle school on a work visa.

I have not been here for long. But within a short timeframe, I have gained a large knowledge base of South Korea. Ask me anything you'd like and I hope I can answer.

For the record, I will have to change my avatar as surfing 2p2 at work with an Ewa Sonnet avatar is not good for me.

the girls, do tell.

do you fear total destruction from the north? is that something the south korean think about in thier day to day life?

and this.

and the food, how's the food?

can i eat korean bbq for every single meal?

whats living costs like?

if i wanted to party 27/30 days of the month what am i looking to spend (disclaimer, i would party all of those days and more) ?

shrug.

Do you get the chicks easy being western, or are you just a novelty and people stare alot, or abit of both?

Is the teaching good?

Is the internet fast and reliable?

Can you get your cash with visa easy?

TY

In the West, Asian girls have a stereotype of doing everything to pleasure their man. Cook, do dishes, bathe and anything else he wants.

In the 1950's, this would have been true. Now, it's the complete opposite. Single Korean girls in my age group (20's) are extremely materialistic and shallow. They expect to be courted with gifts for the entire duration of their relationship. So, they're very high maintenance women to be in a relationship with. They also tend to be more shy and withdrawn than American girls. So, you have to push a little harder and be more aggressive if looking for a one night stand. Being a foreigner is an edge into intriguing young women. But being completely unable to speak Korean sucks for getting action since you can't really say anything. If you learn some basic phrases, you can get by for women. However, you have to be sure that you're picking up women at bars nearby. Otherwise, you're talking a 30 minute cab ride to your place for a one night stand. By then, who knows what happens to the sex you were all set to have.

In terms of physical appearance, I have seen some drop dead gorgeous Korean girls. Many look a lot younger than their actual age. But again, see above.

Single Korean men in their 20's are very jealous and immature when it comes to a relationship. If any girls is even remotely nice to them, they automatically assume that the girls is completely into them and loves them. When it turns out that the girl is already in a relationship, they all get pissed off at them. If you are a foreigner and you're dating a Korean girl, you will be faced with many jealous who verbally or even physically confront you.

North Korea is sort of a taboo subject in South Korea. People know its there and know of the threat. However, it sparks a lot of very strong political opinions that can really mess things up if brought up in a conversation. So most people just focus on happier things and don't let it bother them. After all, there isn't much they can do about it.

And if you don't like spicy food, don't even come to South Korea. Nearly all restaurant dishes are spicy: very spicy. You can find some non-spicy meals but if you ignore spicy foods, then you're missing out on some great food.

Unlike the opinion set in America, the diet is much heavier on meat and less heavy on seafood. Nearly every dish comes with at least one form of meat (mostly pork). Vegetarianism is non-existent here. There are few, if any special foods for vegetarians like in America. So if you are one, then it sucks to be you. You're missing out on at minimum 95% of all Korean dishes. There are plenty of vegetables and rice in the diet as most meals come with both either as a side dish or included in the main course itself.

The Korean national dish, Kimchi, is very overrated imo. It is the staple of Korean food and is generally provided free of charge along with other little vegetables before you even order your food at restaurants. My opinion on kimchi was one of the more popular questions I was asked by my students in my first class. Many were surprised to hear that I really didn't like it much.

There are restaurants and bars everywhere. The street near me is comprised of restaurants, bars and the rare convenience store. That's it. A mere 15,000W (~$9-10 USD) can feed a family of four at many restaurants. This is mostly due to the fact that there are so many restaurants that they compete with each other to lower their prices.

Overall, the food is relatively healthy for you. Of course, there are still some dishes that are pretty unhealthy and could gain a bit of weight if you each too much of it. So, you still have to eat a bit smart even though it looks like Koreans don't.

Korean people seem to have this humorous notion that Westerners are unable to handle spicy foods. I've lost count of the amount of times waiters/waitresses said that the food would be too spicy for me to handle. I prove them all wrong and move on.

You could eat Korean BBQ for every meal if you don't give a damn about your waistline. It's not very costly.

Living costs are pretty cheap. But with how ****ty the won is, things are getting a bit tighter. Most of everything is either cheaper or about the same price relative to America.

Well, you won't see frat parties like you do in college. Most living setups are pretty small apartments that aren't designed for it. If you're really lucky and have a house, I suppose you could have one of those parties. But I wouldn't know as everybody I know has an apartment.

Koreans are very, very heavy drinkers and despite how small they are, they hold their alcohol as well (if not better) as any Germans, Russians or Irishmen. It is part of the culture to get drunk on weekends with your co-workers after a long and stressful week of work. If you don't drink until you are completely wasted, then you are considered a party pooper and suck a whole lot of ass in the company of other Korean men.

Alcohol is an interesting deal here. At restaurants, people don't get their own mugs or bottles of beer. The waiter will provide one large bottle that is used for the entire table. One person volunteers to pour the beer into everybody else's glass and then waits for somebody else to pour the beer into theirs. It is very rude to serve yourself any beverage, especially if you do it before everyone else. People are also supposed to refill other people's drinks at their table if they that they have run out without even asking them.

One of the more popular alcohols is soju. It is a clear liquor that has a taste that is hard to explain. It is not as strong as vodka, but still has a similar taste. It's almost sweet, if alcohol can be sweet. It is poured into glass that hang around the 2.5 ounce range (I think). However, it is not consumed as a shot. It is sipped. Drink too much and it's decapitation in a bottle. My friend had way too much and had an epic hangover.

An odd fact is that you can buy beer at a convenience stores and supermarkets, but can only do it one at a time. There are no cases and six packs there. The cans carry more alcohol (17 ounces rather than 12). Bottles also vary in size. From a much larger bottle to the standard size you drink in America. The selection at those stores is minimal. Normally, there are a couple of Korean beers and some imports such as Asahi, Heineken and some American beer. Buying soju there is not a problem either.

It's not really whether or not you're a foreigner. It's that you resemble one.

You will get mixed responses from Koreans. Korean students and teenagers will go absolutely berserk and be in shock of the foreigner. If you speak any Korean at all and know anything about its history or pop culture, you'll hear ooooohh and ahhhhhh for about a solid minute. If I tried to count the amount of times students said "Hello teacher!" or anything resembling it, I'd go insane. I am 6'2", have pale skin and red hair. I am the antithesis of all Korean men. Young teen girls will try to speak English to you and then scurry away laughing. If you respond to them, they will practically celebrate with their friends. So you're pretty much a movie star in several environments. Older people are a bit more intolerant of foreigners and can be hateful in a subtle, more reserved fashion. You will get stared at by people of all ages. They've rarely, if ever seen a foreigner in their country. People like me are a very, very small minority.

What has surprised me in Korea is the influx of American pop culture and its interest among teenagers. I mean, I know it was popular. But it is insane. Ask nearly any Korean teenager who their favorite actor, singer, movie, actress whatever, you will get nearly all foreigners or foreign movies. Despite this interest in foreign culture, Koreans are very ignorant of it. Nearly every class I taught thought I was from Canada. Koreans are also very blunt and less politically correct. People will walk up to you and just call you fat straight to your face. And if you're male who is 165 pounds, you are fat. One of my co-teachers is like 120-130 pounds and she thinks she's fat.

Teaching is also a mixed bag. At most public schools, it's pretty mediocre. Public school students really don't give a **** and are nearly impossible to discipline effectively. I teach a few all boys classes in 3rd grade at middle school (14-15 years old) and they don't listen to anybody about anything. So, it is difficult to teach them. As long as you give a strong effort, people are cool with it. The English teaching system in public schools is atrocious. It's underfunded and taught by unqualified teachers. Hell, I should give English lessons to some of the English teachers. That's why foreign English teachers are in such high demand.

At private schools, it's a whole different ballgame. The private school I teach at is an all girls school full of intelligent, genius students who are more dedicated to their studies than most are. This is generally due to the undue amount of pressure that parents and teachers put on their students to succeed. Their child's education is an important social status symbol for many Koreans. Anytime they don't get a good grade on something, they go berserk. I've seen students run away crying after not knowing a few questions on their exam. On a conversational exercise I gave in class, somebody wasn't doing well and ended up crying in the middle of class. They are pushed to the point where they go to cseram school and take private lessons during summer and winter breaks to keep on working in school. It's basically a full time job for them. Of course, the teaching is better and there is more pressure on the teachers to succeed.

The internet here is fine. You probably won't get the absurd holy **** type speeds available in America. But cable modem connections are readily available for a cheap price. I pay ~50,000W/month (around $37) for cable and internet service combined.

Before coming to Korea, I recommend bringing a small amount of cash and traveler's checks with you. DO NOT EXCHANGE CASH AT THE AIRPORT!! They only give you about 90-95% of your currency's actual value back to you. Only exchange it if you absolutely must. Do a little there to grab a cab/food ($20 USD or so) and then exchange the rest at a bank. You will still get charged a bit, but it's far less than you would at an airport. Bring a lot of traveler's checks as they are not charged a yield at banks (at least I'm pretty sure they aren't).

As for getting a bank account, you normally have to get your Alien Registration Card beforehand. It's basically your ticket to any amenity at all. It takes about a week after sending in the paperwork and getting the ****-ton of medical checks done to get it back. But once you do, you're finally settled in and can live. You have to get one within 90 days of arrival in South Korea. Of course, most people get it way earlier than that because you don't get a paycheck if you don't have a bank account.

Hope this answers your questions. Looking forward to seeing more!

spicey food

whores?

do they really have 4 channels dedicated to starcraft? (or whatever the game that elky used to play was called?)

Haven't seen any.

I haven't watched a lot of TV. All of the channels I currently have are in Korean. I'm looking into getting better cable TV. But I don't think I watch enough TV to make it worthwhile.

As for Starcraft, it is still ridiculously popular. Mention it in any all-boys class and a good portion of the students will relate to you. Before I had internet at my place, I would post at a PC Bang (PC BAH-ng) and I'd see these guys in action. Korean gamers are as crazy as their stereotype. They are scary good and have these unhealthy obsessions with some games. I mean, it's just insane.

I can't think of any questions right now but I'm really enjoying your detailed responses and anecdotes.

Thanks.

I'm afraid that my answers were detailed enough to answer any of the questions that people might have had to begin with.

I stand corrected on the internet speed deal. Now that I look at it, there's really no difference between connection speeds.

Nice thread I want to do this after I graduate college. I was looking at S. Korea but I know absolutely no Korean. What level of Korean do you know because as you said it is pretty hard to pick up girls or talk to people on the street without knowing Korean. Does the general populace understand some degree of English which makes it easier to get by?

Also, are you working two jobs at a public school and a private school? Do you have any sort of TOEFL or whatever certification for teaching English abroad? What city did you decide to live in and why?

Been to a booking club yet?

Upon arriving in South Korea, you are not expected to know any Korean. Anything you know about Korean culture or language is an added bonus. I recommend that you pick a Korean/English phrasebook and read a little of it at a time. Study what you read shortly afterwards and commit it to memory. After you are done with the book, you should have enough of an understanding to get by in everyday life.

English comprehension is dependent on where you are. In Seoul, you will have many people who can communicate effectively through the English language. In rural areas, you will not have that. In Changwon, you also have a small amount of the population speaking English. In other cities, you'll get some people who speak in broken English (mostly young people), but overall you gotta know Korean.

Yes, I am working at two schools. On Monday-Wednesday, I work at Naeseo Middle School. Thursday and Friday, I work at Euishin Middle School, a private all-girls academy.

The only things you need to get a job there are a 4-year college degree from an accredited university and speak English as a first language in a primarily English speaking country. That's really it. Seriously, it's a cakewalk to get a teaching job here because so many Korean teachers who teach English class suck at it. Teaching certifications will moderately increase your salary. But otherwise, it does not do much.

I wanted to live near a friend of mine in Changwon, but there were no openings near him. I live in Masan because I was put there by my recruiter upon my limited requests and specifications.

No.

bring back ewa

how fluent are you in korean?

can you give share some info about the city you live in?

I find this odd because Seoul was ranked as the 5th most expensive city to live in for Americans (list). Is it simply cheaper where you are than it is in Seoul? Do you know why it's ranked so high (maybe rent is just a lot more expensive there?)

1.how much can u be expected to make a month w/ just a random 4 yr university degree and no teaching experience?

2.when/ how /where did you get start? with interviews posts of resumes work visas sorted out in home country first etc.? or just randomly show up an start applying?

3.can you talk about the Korean hostess bars?

4.anything there similar to thailand?

I don't live in Seoul.

My rent is paid for by my employer. I couldn't spend my entire paycheck if I tried.

Due to the weakening won, things have become more relatively expensive. So, there's really not a huge difference between Masan and America on most items. But some items (bus transportation, utilities, restaurants) are unbelievably cheap.

Not very. I know enough to get by in every day situations. But I can't hold a conversation beyond a few sentences. Hand symbols and body language can bridge the gap a bit though.

I lived in a city named Masan, South Korea. For some basic information about the city itself, you can check out its Wikipedia page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masan

It's about the same size and population as Omaha, Nebraska.

I live in the administrative dong in South Korea called Naeseo-eup. The suffix -eup defines in area that has a population more than 20,000 people and lies within an city of less than 500,000 people. So, it's a pretty small subsection of a South Korean city. There's really not that much to see in this area. I suppose it's a rural area of a city, if there is such a thing.

The nightlife is not very huge here. To get a dose of that, you'd have to go to Changwon which is about 10-15 minute drive by taxi. It's a more modern, well designed city (established in 1974). At night, you will see neon lights flashing all over the place. It really is a beautiful city. If there were openings in the city, I would be living there.

I make 2,000,000W per month. I get an additional 100,000W/month for working in 2 schools. So, basically I make 2,100,000W/month. It is about the average for South Korean teachers. But since my rent is paid for by my employer, I have more money to spend than that.

You get started by filling out an application for a third party recruiter that looks for people wanting to become English teacher via their online website. The recruiter is contracted by Korean schools to pursue fluent English speakers to teach for them. Afterward, you go through a lengthy paperwork process (in the case of America). You need to fill out an application (includes a resume, medical assessment and personal essay), a phone interview, must get a criminal background check (apostilled by the state and notarized), provide a copy of your college diploma (apostilled and notarized), your college transcript in its unsealed envelope, two letters of recommendation, a copy of your passport data sheet, your actual passport, additional copies of your passport photo (at least 6) and an E-2 visa stamp on your passport from the Korean consulate. There might be something I am missing, but that's most of it. The whole process from application to flight took me almost 3 months. If you're a bit more efficient and don't have any paperwork issues like I did, it could be closer to two months.

I personally have never been to a hostess bar as there are none in my area. Generally speaking, they are more sophisticated and concealed versions of brothels. Normally, sexual services are negotiated in the bar and take place elsewhere. A pretty popular hotbed for middle-aged Korean men married or unmarried.

I have never been to Thailand. So, I cannot answer that question.

Can't. After all, I surf 2p2 during down time at work. Putting up such an avatar would be pretty inappropriate.

Do you think it is possible to get a visa as a poker player, with the help of a lawyer even? Perhaps you could use a little imagination with your job title lol.

For work visas, you need letters of employment/appointment from your boss and a bunch of other legal documents.

A lawyer would laugh at you.