[Dash Global]

Decided to go teach in Seoul starting in August.

Mailed off the documents for the FBI criminal background check today. This takes the longest amount of time (6 weeks). Now I have to get my degree notarized.

Looking forward to getting implanted into a new culture for an extended amount of time. Gonna build new social circles and try to develop a harem of women (korean & other english speaking teachers). Also will be able to hit up China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Philippines on the weekends and holidays.

I think im gonna make a lil blog to cronicle the the job, women, and Seoul. Should be helpful for other guys looking to do the same.

Only concern is the Korean women. Im sure there is hot ones, esp in a large city like Seoul. Just gotta to adapt my tastes and strategies. Ive been on a strict Hispanic diet for the last 2 years! lol

[hydrogonian]

Nice man, have fun.

One of the biggest tips I can give you is to buy an english pocket subway map of Seoul before you get there, and perhaps a regular map. That will keep you from aimlessly wandering around the first subway station that you find yourself in, trying to make heads or tails of where you are or where to go. The city is absolutely enormous. English speakers, or at least ones that will stop talk with you, are very rare. Its not like you will be walking up to random people, because you will never know who will speak english. They would have to help you of their own initiative. Don't count on anyone for that.

That being said, it sounds like you are signing a contract before you go, and so you might have some more guidance than I initially did.

[Dash Global]

Yea I plan on signing a contract prior to arriving through a recruiting service. That in itself requires alot of digging and research so to not find yourself in terrible working conditions and boss.

How did you like seoul in regards to the women and nightlife?

[hydrogonian]

I was about a half hour outside of Seoul by subway, in Suburb (Bundang) and that time wasn't even to get to the center. The city is just so big. So, I didn't do a whole lot of socializing in Seoul other than a few unmemorable random nights out at bars with teachers.

I got caught up having a relationship with my boss right away. She treated me, then later trapped me, and therefore she defined most of my social life during my time there unfortunately. I then left because of her. Word of advice: Don't fuck anyone from work. Asian bitches can get insane.

[Gringo]

What makes you want to go to Seoul to live and teach? From everything I've heard it's one of the more serious places to go teach English, you would have much more fun in Thailand for example.

[Dash Global]

@ Gringo

I wanna be able to save some cash for grad school. Only place to legitimately do that is in Korea and Middle East. Aint going to middle east....

But your right, Thailand would be fun. They just dont pay much.

[Gringo]

I thought the rate of pay in Thailand was quite reasonable, I'm considering it myself. Definitely enough to live on and have a good time, probably not good if you want to save though.

I need to get my TEFL course done soon, got the funding in place. Not sure if I will ever use it but it will be useful to have.

[Vacancier Permanent]

Good stuff Dash. good luck in Seoul/korea. I'm sure you'll have a blast. Try to learn as much korean before getting there, it'll be a wise investment of time and effort. Make sure you also read as much as you can about teaching in Korea on davescafe.com as some korean schools and their owners have less than 0 integrity and morals and will not think a nano second before screwing you. So be very careful which school you choose to teach at. It can mean the difference between a blast and a hellish time.
Good idea about the blog chronicling your exploits there. Will be looking forward to seeing it go live.
Gringo, in Thailand, average salary for an english teacher is about 30k baht. If you have experience in that field plus masters and a celta, then you can find much better positions that pay 2x if not 3x time that. On 30k bahts/month, you can live a decent lifestyle but you'd be living as a local. To really enjoy Thailand, one would require at least 60K Bahts/month IMO. Are you going to teach in BKK or elsewhere? Keep in mind that in the smaller towns, the pay is even lower than 30k...

[Gringo]

From everything I've read about teaching in Thailand the average rate of pay is more than 30k baht a month, I did all the sums a while back and could definitely live off the salary. I've spent plenty of time in Thailand so know how much everything costs and what I spend when just living it up as a tourist, if living and working there then costs should go down so I don't think I'd have any problem. And I would definitely want a job in Bangkok, not interested in smaller towns.

[Dash Global]

@ VP

Yea davescafe.com is a gold mind of info. Im a member on that site. Thats the main thing if landing at a decent school and not some hell hole! lol

[Vacancier Permanent]

good stuff Dash! Did you get or are you getting a TEFL/TESOL in the US or in Korea or you won't bother with that? Have taught english before? Were you able to line up something before going there or are you going and then looking for a gig?

Gringo,
good for you man if you can make it on 30k/baht per month even living as a local. I personally couldn't, I'd need at the very least, 60K and that is being on a budget to me. I am totally with you the cost is not the same if you're in a place as a tourist on constant party mode as opposed to working/living there. When are you planning on going teaching English in BKK?

[Gringo]

I didn't say I could live off 30k baht per month, I said from what I'd read the average wage was higher than that. 30k a month would probably be the lowest of the low, not many people would be earning so little.

I don't know that I definitely am going to go there and teach just a possible option, think my next trip will be cover China, Myanmar, Thailand and a side trip into both Laos and Cambodia to visit a couple places I love. Once I've travelled to where I want then I might consider getting a teaching gig for a while to see how I like it.

[Dash Global]

Anyone know what is the best Korean dating website? With my departure swiftly approaching im gonna go ahead and start trying build a stable of females already lined up for when i touch down!


@VP

srry i somehow missed ur questions. you dont need a TEFL for Korea. Just need a 4 yr degree with zero arrest history. Never taught before. Most everyone lines up a job prior through a recruiter. if you fly there you are liable to miss out on the free airfare that you get when out of the country.

[Tony Snow25]

@Dash did you already find a school you are going to work for? If so did you talk to any teachers at the school? Did you have interview via skype or phone? Do you get to see pics of housing and do they give you a lot of information about it? I'm curious about teaching in South Korea but i have some doubts. I taught English in Sao Paulo and enjoyed it. I will be teaching English in the North East of the U.S. this summer. Did you decide on Busan or Seoul?

[OGNorCal707]

Damn I was thinking about teaching abroad, but I have a misdemeanor assault charge on my record now. I wonder if SoKo is more strict about this than say Japan or other countries, or if it's a universal thing that you can't have any criminal record.

[Dash Global]

(06-16-2011 12:11 AM)Tony Snow25 Wrote:  

@Dash did you already find a school you are going to work for? If so did you talk to any teachers at the school? Did you have interview via skype or phone? Do you get to see pics of housing and do they give you a lot of information about it? I'm curious about teaching in South Korea but i have some doubts. I taught English in Sao Paulo and enjoyed it. I will be teaching English in the North East of the U.S. this summer. Did you decide on Busan or Seoul?

You normally wait till you have all your documents (fbi check aspostiled, degree apostiled) before you find a school. Once I have all my documents needed for the visa then I will start seriously searching for a hagwon. Once I find a hagwon with a satisfying contract I will most certainly contact teachers there to find out about the work conditions and employer. You can ask to see pics of the housing either from the employer or the teacher you are replacing. A phone interview will be required, but alot of them are wanting to do skype interview. That is not required though. South Korea is the premier place to teach English for a newbie (2-2.3k a month, pension, airfare, severance, health insurance, housing included) I decided on Busan, but i might go to Seoul if i get a better offer or if im having trouble finding a good job in Busan around August.


@OGNor

Yea you can forget South Korea with ANYTHING on your record, doesnt even matter if you where convicted. You might be able to get a job in other countries, just need to see what the requirements are....

[Tony Snow25]

@ Dash seems legit. If you talk to teachers who work at the school or previous ones you have a good chance not to get fucked over from some prick owner. Do you know how much more you get paid if you have experience teaching, a Degree and a TESOL certificate? I'm seriously considering it but I would want the best situation to teach there. I would shop around for a while until I found the best situation.

[Dash Global]

@Tony

For regular jobs (hagwons & public schools) your pay wont be much different with experience and certs if any diff at all. 2 - 2.3K for most teachers. 2.5K if your lucky. You can work overtime and maybe some privates and get it 2.5 and up

Now with that said, you can get Uni jobs that are great with higher qualifications! 3K a month plus like 4 months paid vacation a yr.

[Tony Snow25]

@ Dash Thanks man. I'm not trying to work overtime and it seems that teaching in South Korea is basically a 40 hour work week.

[Celtic]

Hi Dash-

If you like Asian girls at all, you won't have to worry about finding hot girls. Girls in Korea are alot hotter than most asian girls in the United States. They are much thinner, they have good bodies, and they really care about their appearance. It's not uncommon to see girls where miniskirts in the middle of the winter because they care so much about their appearance. They're also good personality wise, if you like very feminine women. I had a great time with them while I was there.

The food is excellent too. They have a lot of very fresh stuff. I loved Korean barbecue- very fresh, and they cook it right in front of you at the table.

I think you'll enjoy Korea- friendly people, hot asian women, good food, an interesting culture, and you can travel to a lot of other Asian countries from there.

[Dash Global]

@Celtic

Thanks for the words of encouragement! Asians isnt my first preference (latinas will always be #1) but I def see some hot asians every now and again in the states soo im sure ill find some in Korea. Looking to have a couple korean girls on standby along with some british female teachers. The key for me will be getting out there and making alot of friends and building numerous social circles. Should be fun! Looking forward to getting the fuck out of the states thats for sure!

[travolta]

Hey Dash, I'm also planning on going to Seoul around August/September to teach English. I haven't signed a contract yet though (I'm only going to accept a part time job). I spent a little bit of time there this past November and have a pretty good idea of how to get around the city. Send me a PM. Maybe we can meet up when I get there.

[Dash Global]

FBI Background Check just came in the mail! I was getting worried and paranoid that they lost my shit or something!

Now everything is a greenlight!

[Gringo]

Are teaching gigs in Korea easy to arrange without being in the country? That's one thing I'd want if I was to take a job there, a firm offer before I even landed. Might be unrealistic but I don't want to head out there with nothing lined up and squander loads of cash until I find one.

[Dash Global]

Most ppl sign a contract then the school pays for the airfare and visa process. After that your on a plane to South Korea.

Recruiters pretty much handle the whole job process for you. All you do is some interviews and look over contract / job offers then take the one you like.