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I have an opportunity to go to South Korea to teach English to elementary school kids there. I love South Korea, for a lot of reasons. I've wanted to go for a long time now. I'm learning Korean, slowly.
I'd get paid $1300 a month, while my accomodations are paid for, to work 15 hours a week, 3 hours a day after school. Weekends off, the rest of the day to myself.
I'm really 100% sure that I want to do this buttttt; it means taking a semester off of school. And I just started getting really good at cello, like I climbed a wall and now I'm getting steadily better.
I want your opinion on this. I've already invested $70,000 in my education (fuck private school), my parents think it's not the best career choice to leave for a semester right now. I disagree, I think my cello playing will get better from the new styles of music, also I'd probably teach private lessons and I'd take private lessons in Seoul on the weekend. I think I have a lot to gain, musically through going.
What do you think? What haven't I thought of?
 
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You haven't thought of social life I guess. You might meet a lot of people in SK (cough TL) but also be leaving behind a lot of people in the USA (? I just assume that's where you live because you're teaching English, could be other places too). It really depends a lot on how you will be able to resume studies when you get back though.
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On December 08 2009 05:27 Pokebunny wrote:
You haven't thought of social life I guess. You might meet a lot of people in SK (cough TL) but also be leaving behind a lot of people in the USA (? I just assume that's where you live because you're teaching English, could be other places too). It really depends a lot on how you will be able to resume studies when you get back though.
Well I'd be leaving my relationship here but I think it'll survive the time. And yeah, it's all about my studies.
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This sounds exactly like the program I enrolled in last year called "TaLK" program.... same exact benefits and pay and etc... sounds wayyyyyyyyyy too similar....
Well congrats, gl hf, oh and if you are going to be stuck in the rural area in which is EVERYWHERE BUT SEOUL, Daegu and Busan, you're in a whole journey of boredom in which you'll probably end up watching OGN and MBC in your room ALL DAY LONG and playing SC....
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On December 08 2009 05:32 QuickStriker wrote:
This sounds exactly like the program I enrolled in last year called "TaLK" program.... same exact benefits and pay and etc... sounds wayyyyyyyyyy too similar....
Well congrats, gl hf, oh and if you are going to be stuck in the rural area in which is EVERYWHERE BUT SEOUL, Daegu and Busan, you're in a whole journey of boredom in which you'll probably end up watching OGN and MBC in your room ALL DAY LONG and playing SC....
This is the TaLK program! Tell me more about it!
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It's seems to me you really want to go, you're just asking us if your parents arguments are strong enough.
I say go, have a great time, meet a lot of people, enjoy music, and then get back, to your normal life.
As you said, you'll survive 
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On December 08 2009 05:32 Mekhami wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 05:32 QuickStriker wrote:
This sounds exactly like the program I enrolled in last year called "TaLK" program.... same exact benefits and pay and etc... sounds wayyyyyyyyyy too similar....
Well congrats, gl hf, oh and if you are going to be stuck in the rural area in which is EVERYWHERE BUT SEOUL, Daegu and Busan, you're in a whole journey of boredom in which you'll probably end up watching OGN and MBC in your room ALL DAY LONG and playing SC.... This is the TaLK program! Tell me more about it!
Oh really?? That's very interesting... nice to hear someone else taking up the program that's still around and promoting college students like us...
Well, I was around when the TaLK program just started and began last year, so I suppose I am known as the "First generation" TaLK scholars... based on what I heard, it started out as 400 for us and then it expanded to 700 and I assume they have around 1000 now?
But yea, basically it's like this, there are 9 different provinces you'll be assigned to... did they tell you which region you'll be located to teach at?? Based on what I'm seeing, I'm guessing you're doing the 6 month program like I did rather than 1 year like others would which is a good amount...
Hmm... don't know what else to say.. I heard the orientation method changed too where ours were 1 month orientation and now it's like 2 weeks? You get to choose your type of dorming throughout, whether it's a studio room all by yourself, a homestay where you stay with some Korean family, or with roommates with fellow other scholars or a college dorm I think.... all depends...
EVERYWHERE but Seoul tend to have their weird unusual accents that's different from the main typical average accent we hear on TV and etc... so that's something to get used to... hmm.. are you Korean by any chance? What else do you want to know about it?
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51424 Posts
if you wind up anywhere but seoul you are going to have a miserable time.
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Wow thats funny, just a week ago, I was offered this TaLK program thing..
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On December 08 2009 05:38 GTR wrote:
if you wind up anywhere but seoul you are going to have a miserable time.
my words exactly.... though I would say, if it wasn't for living in middle of nowhere of pure isolation for 6 months, I wouldn't have discovered TL nor get into habit of watching PLs, OSLs, MSLs, and Starcraft like I do now ^_^
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do it! tbh I think this is the best move you could possibly make. taking time off from school will prevent burn out PLUS you will have so much time to practice your cello every day plus you'll be in the land of boxer :D.
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I think it's good that you also go for reasons other than watching pro-gaming in Korea.
15 hours/week and one semester in Korea? I would hit it. No matter how you look at it you will be in for an adventure.
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On December 08 2009 05:38 QuickStriker wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 05:32 Mekhami wrote:On December 08 2009 05:32 QuickStriker wrote:
This sounds exactly like the program I enrolled in last year called "TaLK" program.... same exact benefits and pay and etc... sounds wayyyyyyyyyy too similar....
Well congrats, gl hf, oh and if you are going to be stuck in the rural area in which is EVERYWHERE BUT SEOUL, Daegu and Busan, you're in a whole journey of boredom in which you'll probably end up watching OGN and MBC in your room ALL DAY LONG and playing SC.... This is the TaLK program! Tell me more about it! Oh really?? That's very interesting... nice to hear someone else taking up the program that's still around and promoting college students like us... Well, I was around when the TaLK program just started and began last year, so I suppose I am known as the "First generation" TaLK scholars... based on what I heard, it started out as 400 for us and then it expanded to 700 and I assume they have around 1000 now? But yea, basically it's like this, there are 9 different provinces you'll be assigned to... did they tell you which region you'll be located to teach at?? Based on what I'm seeing, I'm guessing you're doing the 6 month program like I did rather than 1 year like others would which is a good amount... Hmm... don't know what else to say.. I heard the orientation method changed too where ours were 1 month orientation and now it's like 2 weeks? You get to choose your type of dorming throughout, whether it's a studio room all by yourself, a homestay where you stay with some Korean family, or with roommates with fellow other scholars or a college dorm I think.... all depends... EVERYWHERE but Seoul tend to have their weird unusual accents that's different from the main typical average accent we hear on TV and etc... so that's something to get used to... hmm.. are you Korean by any chance? What else do you want to know about it?
I'm not Korean, I'm a US native. I speak some Korean which I'm learning from my string quartet, who are all Korean.
I don't know what province I'll get assigned to but I don't think that bothers me as I'm going to be doing a lot of travelling on weekends and such. That's the goal anyway. I'd probably stay in a studio room because I'm a musician and would be practicing often and wouldn't want to bother roommates or the family I'd stay with.
And @GTR and others who say I'd be miserable, I'd also travel to Seoul probably every weekend to stay with a friend there and enjoy the city, also I plan on taking a trip to Japan and one to China, which TaLK helps arrange. also, I'm big on books, music, etc. so quiet time in a rural setting sounds perfect to me 
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On December 08 2009 05:39 Xenocide_Knight wrote:
Wow thats funny, just a week ago, I was offered this TaLK program thing..
Yea... as the deadlines come to close, they seem to always be short of applicants or desperate in need of more applicants that they just pretty much OPEN advertise it... that's how I pretty much got in, at the last minute...
On December 08 2009 05:40 iSiN wrote:
do it! tbh I think this is the best move you could possibly make. taking time off from school will prevent burn out PLUS you will have so much time to practice your cello every day plus you'll be in the land of boxer :D.
That is true, it can be helpful... IF YOU CAN HANDLE KIDS FROM 1ST TO 6TH GRADE..... who can possibly play SC better than you!!!
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On December 08 2009 05:45 QuickStriker wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 05:39 Xenocide_Knight wrote:
Wow thats funny, just a week ago, I was offered this TaLK program thing.. Yea... as the deadlines come to close, they seem to always be short of applicants or desperate in need of more applicants that they just pretty much OPEN advertise it... that's how I pretty much got in, at the last minute... Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 05:40 iSiN wrote:
do it! tbh I think this is the best move you could possibly make. taking time off from school will prevent burn out PLUS you will have so much time to practice your cello every day plus you'll be in the land of boxer :D. That is true, it can be helpful... IF YOU CAN HANDLE KIDS FROM 1ST TO 6TH GRADE..... who can possibly play SC better than you!!!
There were a couple kids born in 97 (age 12 or so) in the recent courage tournaments. Insane...
PS - you better tell us how it goes :D
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On December 08 2009 05:59 Pokebunny wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 05:45 QuickStriker wrote:On December 08 2009 05:39 Xenocide_Knight wrote:
Wow thats funny, just a week ago, I was offered this TaLK program thing.. Yea... as the deadlines come to close, they seem to always be short of applicants or desperate in need of more applicants that they just pretty much OPEN advertise it... that's how I pretty much got in, at the last minute... On December 08 2009 05:40 iSiN wrote:
do it! tbh I think this is the best move you could possibly make. taking time off from school will prevent burn out PLUS you will have so much time to practice your cello every day plus you'll be in the land of boxer :D. That is true, it can be helpful... IF YOU CAN HANDLE KIDS FROM 1ST TO 6TH GRADE..... who can possibly play SC better than you!!! There were a couple kids born in 97 (age 12 or so) in the recent courage tournaments. Insane... PS - you better tell us how it goes :D
I'll be on TL every day
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sounds like once in a lifetime opportunity
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omg taking care of 1st grade kids :CCCCCCCCCC
now THAT would be miserable
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what program is this? because that sounds like a hell of a deal
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Its a fun way to take a half year off, and it sounds as though you would regret it if you don't. So go and enjoy, as long as you make sure you can return to finish your school without any problems. Think of it as "international experience" - a differentiating factor on later job applications and so on (just don't take off more than once - it starts to look too fruity on the resume).
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I'm actually enrolling for the TaLK program as well. I've heard that it is difficult to get in. Can you tell us anything else about the enrollment process?
I heard there are two interviews (one on the phone and one in person). What sort of questions do they ask you in the interviews? Do grades on your transcript matter (If so, how much)? When is the drug test given (interview? departure?) and is it a pee test? For the sample lesson plan, what am I supposed to make?
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I was told by the lady who does the actually accepting that interviews are more to hear your englisht han actual interviews Email all your questions here, this lady is very helpful: talknowusa[AT]gmail.com
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One thing: you can practice your cello even more, if you're in a rural area.
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Katowice25012 Posts
Have you ever shipped a cello overseas?
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there are so many possibilities to teach english in korea especially in seoul. just google and u will find tons of offers which even pay better for little more working hours.
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On December 08 2009 07:00 heyoka wrote:
Have you ever shipped a cello overseas?
I fly with my cello, I either buy it a ticket or contact the airline to make arrangements to have it placed in the cargo cabin on-board.
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Go for sure. You'll learn and grow more living abroad than you ever could in a semester of school.
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On December 08 2009 05:40 sYz-Adrenaline wrote:
go.. korea > all
This.
With musical instruments you never know what will happen.. You might get far.. You might crash and burn..
Take the easy road out and teach little kids.
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I say go for it. Always good to get to see another culture.
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Just dont go in the summer. Otherwise do it.
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On December 08 2009 05:23 Mekhami wrote:
I have an opportunity to go to South Korea to teach English to elementary school kids there. I love South Korea, for a lot of reasons. I've wanted to go for a long time now. I'm learning Korean, slowly.
If you want to go, they say you should do it while you're "young", i.e. no kids. Are they right though?
I'd get paid $1300 a month, while my accomodations are paid for, to work 15 hours a week, 3 hours a day after school. Weekends off, the rest of the day to myself.
How much of that do you think you will be able to save? And damn, that's a lot of time off. What will you do with your other productive hours?
I'm really 100% sure that I want to do this buttttt; it means taking a semester off of school. And I just started getting really good at cello, like I climbed a wall and now I'm getting steadily better.
This is a second issue. You should wonder you should take a semester off in general; consider this a separate question. As a parent, I know my fear would be that my child might not go back to school after "taking a 'semester' off." It's a cliche.
I want your opinion on this. I've already invested $70,000 in my education (fuck private school), my parents think it's not the best career choice to leave for a semester right now. I disagree,
What kind of career is lined up for you if you go straight through? I don't know what your major is, but unless you have some job lined up that's going to be gone, the only question is how this will look on your resume. I can only guess, but my guess is that it's fine. Any real job on your resume is a plus, and foreign experience should suggest maturity. What do you think? Am I way off?
I think my cello playing will get better from the new styles of music, also I'd probably teach private lessons and I'd take private lessons in Seoul on the weekend. I think I have a lot to gain, musically through going.
Is music your planned career? I'm sorry if I'm not familiar with your situation. If music's your plan, then I think time can only help, and a job like that gives you a lot of time (it seems).
BTW are your loans going to be deferred? I'm assuming your income is low enough, if you're a student in debt.
What do you think? What haven't I thought of?
They can deport you for taking additional work when you come in on a teaching visa.
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
On December 08 2009 05:38 GTR wrote:
if you wind up anywhere but seoul you are going to have a miserable time.
Could not agree more with this - after a year out in boonies I was almost suicidal. It's so boring and isolating to live anywhere except Seoul or Busan. Don't settle for less unless you like commuting and hate other people/speaking English. Oh and you enjoy being treated like a freak on a constant basis.
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
On December 08 2009 07:00 sukila wrote:
there are so many possibilities to teach english in korea especially in seoul. just google and u will find tons of offers which even pay better for little more working hours.
The only one he can do legally without a University degree is Talk program so that's incorrect information.
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Go for it man, school isn't that important anyways
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there are no downsides to short trips like this.
go for it
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I'd do it. I'm actually seriously considering becoming a teacher when I graduate.
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IF you live outside of Seoul you will have a very difficult / aggravating time without semi-decent Korean.
I don't know which Visa you will be getting without a degree, but for the majority of teachers (E-2 visa) teaching outside of your designated institute is illegal, and the government is cracking down recently..
It's a great experience but do not blindly walk into this or you will regret it
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On December 08 2009 09:09 ShloobeR wrote:
IF you live outside of Seoul you will have a very difficult / aggravating time without semi-decent Korean.
I don't know which Visa you will be getting without a degree, but for the majority of teachers (E-2 visa) teaching outside of your designated institute is illegal, and the government is cracking down recently..
It's a great experience but do not blindly walk into this or you will regret it
I think this is my biggest worry, living outside of Seoul in rural korea... They say it's great, I -do- plan on commuting every weekend, to Seoul and the surrounding area, and travelling to Japan, China, etcetera... I won't be spending weekends in the town on very many occasions, plus I'll do a ton of touristy stuff. Also, I'll have a -lot- of time to play cello
I just wonder if my own vision is accurate with the reality. What do you think?
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3861 Posts
On December 08 2009 08:10 NeverGG wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 05:38 GTR wrote:
if you wind up anywhere but seoul you are going to have a miserable time. Could not agree more with this - after a year out in boonies I was almost suicidal. It's so boring and isolating to live anywhere except Seoul or Busan. Don't settle for less unless you like commuting and hate other people/speaking English. Oh and you enjoy being treated like a freak on a constant basis.
Or if you aren't so conscious about what other people think of you, a rural area might be fun - especially if you are male because they will make you feel like king if you are white. Sad, but true.
I know the guy who is now helping manage the TaLK program. It's going thru changes and is in process of growing. I think it's a great way for college students to try teaching out... it's KINDA like a study abroad, I guess. ^^
You can get private lessons in Seoul, but you'll need to find a place that speaks English at least minimally so that you can understand what is being taught.
Good luck. Just have a good attitude and remember that this isn't America. Please don't expect it to be the same.
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On December 08 2009 09:58 lilsusie wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 08:10 NeverGG wrote:On December 08 2009 05:38 GTR wrote:
if you wind up anywhere but seoul you are going to have a miserable time. Could not agree more with this - after a year out in boonies I was almost suicidal. It's so boring and isolating to live anywhere except Seoul or Busan. Don't settle for less unless you like commuting and hate other people/speaking English. Oh and you enjoy being treated like a freak on a constant basis. Or if you aren't so conscious about what other people think of you, a rural area might be fun - especially if you are male because they will make you feel like king if you are white. Sad, but true. I know the guy who is now helping manage the TaLK program. It's going thru changes and is in process of growing. I think it's a great way for college students to try teaching out... it's KINDA like a study abroad, I guess. ^^ You can get private lessons in Seoul, but you'll need to find a place that speaks English at least minimally so that you can understand what is being taught. Good luck. Just have a good attitude and remember that this isn't America. Please don't expect it to be the same.
Thanks for your feedback I'm very open minded and to be honest don't WANT america anymore! I need a break from it, hehe. And I'm a white male! sounds perfect. hahaha.
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3861 Posts
On December 08 2009 09:09 ShloobeR wrote:
IF you live outside of Seoul you will have a very difficult / aggravating time without semi-decent Korean.
I don't know which Visa you will be getting without a degree, but for the majority of teachers (E-2 visa) teaching outside of your designated institute is illegal, and the government is cracking down recently..
It's a great experience but do not blindly walk into this or you will regret it
This is a program MADE for college students.
http://www.talk.go.kr/
It's perfectly legit as it's handled by the government. They have a Korean-American heading it now - so he will be able to be your go-to guy since he speaks fluent English.
One thing that a lot of TaLK teachers complain about is the mandatory Korean excursions. It's called Teach and LEARN in Korea. If you do decide to go, please don't complain about this 
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On December 08 2009 10:07 lilsusie wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 09:09 ShloobeR wrote:
IF you live outside of Seoul you will have a very difficult / aggravating time without semi-decent Korean.
I don't know which Visa you will be getting without a degree, but for the majority of teachers (E-2 visa) teaching outside of your designated institute is illegal, and the government is cracking down recently..
It's a great experience but do not blindly walk into this or you will regret it This is a program MADE for college students. http://www.talk.go.kr/It's perfectly legit as it's handled by the government. They have a Korean-American heading it now - so he will be able to be your go-to guy since he speaks fluent English. One thing that a lot of TaLK teachers complain about is the mandatory Korean excursions. It's called Teach and LEARN in Korea. If you do decide to go, please don't complain about this
Hey i'm all for excursions!
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On December 08 2009 10:07 lilsusie wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 09:09 ShloobeR wrote:
IF you live outside of Seoul you will have a very difficult / aggravating time without semi-decent Korean.
I don't know which Visa you will be getting without a degree, but for the majority of teachers (E-2 visa) teaching outside of your designated institute is illegal, and the government is cracking down recently..
It's a great experience but do not blindly walk into this or you will regret it This is a program MADE for college students. http://www.talk.go.kr/It's perfectly legit as it's handled by the government. They have a Korean-American heading it now - so he will be able to be your go-to guy since he speaks fluent English. One thing that a lot of TaLK teachers complain about is the mandatory Korean excursions. It's called Teach and LEARN in Korea. If you do decide to go, please don't complain about this
It's MANDATORY? That's ridiculous. I'm a Korean American (born in America though) and I've already done the whole touristy thing in Korea at least five or six times. I'm so sick of it. I don't think I'd mind living in the rural areas as I speak/read/write fluent enough Korean to get by on a day-to-day basis.
Just gonna have to buy an alienware laptop before I go 
I'm also very curious as to how "rural" these places are. I've spent a few days in pusan (not really rural at all... just a toned down seoul) and jeju (though it was at a hotel) and it still doesn't seem very "rural." Maybe I just hold a different sense of the word rural but I'm assuming it's not necessarily a hut in the middle of a rice paddy? Like, there will be convenience stores and buses/subway that will connect to neighboring larger cities anyways?
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Alright, I am finally back from my disappearance over the hours stressing over this paper that I had not encountered during my time in TaLK.... but then again, I had other problems....
On December 08 2009 10:52 misclick wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 10:07 lilsusie wrote:On December 08 2009 09:09 ShloobeR wrote:
IF you live outside of Seoul you will have a very difficult / aggravating time without semi-decent Korean.
I don't know which Visa you will be getting without a degree, but for the majority of teachers (E-2 visa) teaching outside of your designated institute is illegal, and the government is cracking down recently..
It's a great experience but do not blindly walk into this or you will regret it This is a program MADE for college students. http://www.talk.go.kr/It's perfectly legit as it's handled by the government. They have a Korean-American heading it now - so he will be able to be your go-to guy since he speaks fluent English. One thing that a lot of TaLK teachers complain about is the mandatory Korean excursions. It's called Teach and LEARN in Korea. If you do decide to go, please don't complain about this I'm also very curious as to how "rural" these places are. I've spent a few days in pusan (not really rural at all... just a toned down seoul) and jeju (though it was at a hotel) and it still doesn't seem very "rural." Maybe I just hold a different sense of the word rural but I'm assuming it's not necessarily a hut in the middle of a rice paddy? Like, there will be convenience stores and buses/subway that will connect to neighboring larger cities anyways?
Well, obviously it's not a hut in the middle of rice paddy... sure there are bus terminals on each area you would possibly be located in which leads to a ride to the big large city, especially Seoul (since for some reason, ALL TOWNS/CITIES BUSES ALWAYS LINK TO SEOUL one way or another..)
THAT BEING SAID, I meant rural as in.. hmm.. like... the state of Idaho... or Iowa... if you know what I mean.... the people living in this region RARELY can speak even English where obviously, they will all like, hunt and take advantage of the only American in the city.. so I best you guys to have a strong mind and will and be prepared.....
Convenience stores?? Yes, they do have....
And on the last note, especially since this is what I had to suffer for an entire length of 6 months, YOU WILL MISS EATING BURRITOS, TACOS AND AMERICAN PIZZA!
*edit* I realized this might help answer some questions for prospective future TaLKers about my own personal experience and stay in Korea as a teacher:
What was your down-time like? Were you really just bored out of your mind the whole time? Did you commute to Korea? How were you treated by the people in your province? Was it comfortable to live off of 1.5mW?
Alright, I'm back from my little cute day of school... but yea, I had some fun once a while.. but in most cases, I was just bored out of my mind, partially because the whole #1 purpose of my trip was to get out of my life temporary, isolate myself, and figure out what I want to do with myself in the rest of my life... If that is what you are absolutely looking for.. you're in good hands, especially since cable TV of OGN and MBC channels will entertain you...
Yes, I commuted to Korea, apparently I was overused in the program, forced to do over time to 21 hours, making me go 3 schools, and etc... Buses, taxis, you name it.. NO ONE SPOKE ENGLISH ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE HAPPY IN KOREA.
Oh, and I was located in Pohang, Gyeongsang bukdo region...
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3861 Posts
On December 08 2009 10:52 misclick wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 10:07 lilsusie wrote:On December 08 2009 09:09 ShloobeR wrote:
IF you live outside of Seoul you will have a very difficult / aggravating time without semi-decent Korean.
I don't know which Visa you will be getting without a degree, but for the majority of teachers (E-2 visa) teaching outside of your designated institute is illegal, and the government is cracking down recently..
It's a great experience but do not blindly walk into this or you will regret it This is a program MADE for college students. http://www.talk.go.kr/It's perfectly legit as it's handled by the government. They have a Korean-American heading it now - so he will be able to be your go-to guy since he speaks fluent English. One thing that a lot of TaLK teachers complain about is the mandatory Korean excursions. It's called Teach and LEARN in Korea. If you do decide to go, please don't complain about this It's MANDATORY? That's ridiculous. I'm a Korean American (born in America though) and I've already done the whole touristy thing in Korea at least five or six times. I'm so sick of it. I don't think I'd mind living in the rural areas as I speak/read/write fluent enough Korean to get by on a day-to-day basis. Just gonna have to buy an alienware laptop before I go I'm also very curious as to how "rural" these places are. I've spent a few days in pusan (not really rural at all... just a toned down seoul) and jeju (though it was at a hotel) and it still doesn't seem very "rural." Maybe I just hold a different sense of the word rural but I'm assuming it's not necessarily a hut in the middle of a rice paddy? Like, there will be convenience stores and buses/subway that will connect to neighboring larger cities anyways?
Yes, it's mandatory. I'm not sure if they are changing that but as you can see, this program isn't made for Gyopos like yourself, it's for the whities like the OP. It's their rules and that's what is in the contract. Don't be so high and mighty. Wherefore you might be sick of it, some others aren't and if you go with new friends you may have, the experience might be different.
Rural areas; I've been to some remote small towns where they don't speak any English at all. There are some rice paddy towns but you'll still get your own modern one room studio. I did EPIK for a year and helped with the educational department so I'm familiar with these situations as well. My friend was in a small town with 1 main road, 1 bus terminal and 1 traffic light.
Make the effort to go out and learn Korean and mingle with the locals; drink soju and makuli and laugh with the ahjushis! You can come to Seoul for the weekend and enjoy your tacos and burritos. Most small Korean villages have Pizza places, but it will be different from what you are used to at home.
All towns/villages have convince stores, internet, hot running water, etc. We're not some third world country. If you feel that you are over worked, you just politely decline. It worked for me. OF COURSE the schools will want you for all you got, you're prolly one of the first foreigners they've encountered!! You just let them know that you have other plans or that you cannot do what is given to you beyond what is written in contract.
Alright, I'm back from my little cute day of school... but yea, I had some fun once a while.. but in most cases, I was just bored out of my mind, partially because the whole #1 purpose of my trip was to get out of my life temporary, isolate myself, and figure out what I want to do with myself in the rest of my life... If that is what you are absolutely looking for.. you're in good hands, especially since cable TV of OGN and MBC channels will entertain you...
Yes, I commuted to Korea, apparently I was overused in the program, forced to do over time to 21 hours, making me go 3 schools, and etc... Buses, taxis, you name it.. NO ONE SPOKE ENGLISH ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE HAPPY IN KOREA.
Oh, and I was located in Pohang, Gyeongsang bukdo region...
21 hours a week is NOT that bad. My typical day was after school, come home and isolate myself. Sometimes I'd hang out with my middle school students and they would share with me Kpop things and I'd talk with them in English. I spent a lot of time writing and reading and exploring my town. Take pictures, converse with locals. I had drinks with coteachers. I watched SC and played WoW. On the weekend I was in Daegu, Busan or Seoul.
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On December 08 2009 14:11 lilsusie wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 10:52 misclick wrote:On December 08 2009 10:07 lilsusie wrote:On December 08 2009 09:09 ShloobeR wrote:
IF you live outside of Seoul you will have a very difficult / aggravating time without semi-decent Korean.
I don't know which Visa you will be getting without a degree, but for the majority of teachers (E-2 visa) teaching outside of your designated institute is illegal, and the government is cracking down recently..
It's a great experience but do not blindly walk into this or you will regret it This is a program MADE for college students. http://www.talk.go.kr/It's perfectly legit as it's handled by the government. They have a Korean-American heading it now - so he will be able to be your go-to guy since he speaks fluent English. One thing that a lot of TaLK teachers complain about is the mandatory Korean excursions. It's called Teach and LEARN in Korea. If you do decide to go, please don't complain about this It's MANDATORY? That's ridiculous. I'm a Korean American (born in America though) and I've already done the whole touristy thing in Korea at least five or six times. I'm so sick of it. I don't think I'd mind living in the rural areas as I speak/read/write fluent enough Korean to get by on a day-to-day basis. Just gonna have to buy an alienware laptop before I go I'm also very curious as to how "rural" these places are. I've spent a few days in pusan (not really rural at all... just a toned down seoul) and jeju (though it was at a hotel) and it still doesn't seem very "rural." Maybe I just hold a different sense of the word rural but I'm assuming it's not necessarily a hut in the middle of a rice paddy? Like, there will be convenience stores and buses/subway that will connect to neighboring larger cities anyways? Yes, it's mandatory. I'm not sure if they are changing that but as you can see, this program isn't made for Gyopos like yourself, it's for the whities like the OP. It's their rules and that's what is in the contract. Don't be so high and mighty. Wherefore you might be sick of it, some others aren't and if you go with new friends you may have, the experience might be different. Rural areas; I've been to some remote small towns where they don't speak any English at all. There are some rice paddy towns but you'll still get your own modern one room studio. I did EPIK for a year and helped with the educational department so I'm familiar with these situations as well. My friend was in a small town with 1 main road, 1 bus terminal and 1 traffic light. Make the effort to go out and learn Korean and mingle with the locals; drink soju and makuli and laugh with the ahjushis! You can come to Seoul for the weekend and enjoy your tacos and burritos. Most small Korean villages have Pizza places, but it will be different from what you are used to at home. All towns/villages have convince stores, internet, hot running water, etc. We're not some third world country. If you feel that you are over worked, you just politely decline. It worked for me. OF COURSE the schools will want you for all you got, you're prolly one of the first foreigners they've encountered!! You just let them know that you have other plans or that you cannot do what is given to you beyond what is written in contract. 21 hours a week is NOT that bad.
Just to state some things and correct some mistakes from earlier. Yes, there are tacos and burritos in Seoul, and yes, I've been to It-tae-won to get some burrito, but the burritos you eat there can NEVER match up to ones in Chipotle or Baja Fresh or any of the GOOD MEXCIAN places...
Pizza places tend to be overrated in Korea, where food like NYC pizza I've love and enjoy all my life just couldn't stand this form of food here... same with Steak...
But on the bright side, internet are SUPER FAST, your one room studio is pretty sweet since it's your own place for 6 months (I had 2.5 rooms actually), even the rural areas of Korea do have its glimpse of that "modern technological advanced" country feel. Just that, it's like being in Dakota or Idaho or those states in US that's like middle of nowhere...
21 hours a week is that bad... you just don't know exactly how and what I have to go through in comparison to other people... because IT'S NOT ACTUALLY 21 HOURS....
Finally, you can try and approach the random locals that live near you like I've done few times, but apparently that resulted it in an awkward position with a Korean girl at one point where... well let's just end it there...
And by the time you come down, the schools would been used to have a foreigner like you as you'll probably be the third/fourth generation of the program... Good luck!
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konadora
Singapore66155 Posts
sounds way too good, DO IT
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On December 08 2009 14:11 lilsusie wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 10:52 misclick wrote:On December 08 2009 10:07 lilsusie wrote:On December 08 2009 09:09 ShloobeR wrote:
IF you live outside of Seoul you will have a very difficult / aggravating time without semi-decent Korean.
I don't know which Visa you will be getting without a degree, but for the majority of teachers (E-2 visa) teaching outside of your designated institute is illegal, and the government is cracking down recently..
It's a great experience but do not blindly walk into this or you will regret it This is a program MADE for college students. http://www.talk.go.kr/It's perfectly legit as it's handled by the government. They have a Korean-American heading it now - so he will be able to be your go-to guy since he speaks fluent English. One thing that a lot of TaLK teachers complain about is the mandatory Korean excursions. It's called Teach and LEARN in Korea. If you do decide to go, please don't complain about this It's MANDATORY? That's ridiculous. I'm a Korean American (born in America though) and I've already done the whole touristy thing in Korea at least five or six times. I'm so sick of it. I don't think I'd mind living in the rural areas as I speak/read/write fluent enough Korean to get by on a day-to-day basis. Just gonna have to buy an alienware laptop before I go I'm also very curious as to how "rural" these places are. I've spent a few days in pusan (not really rural at all... just a toned down seoul) and jeju (though it was at a hotel) and it still doesn't seem very "rural." Maybe I just hold a different sense of the word rural but I'm assuming it's not necessarily a hut in the middle of a rice paddy? Like, there will be convenience stores and buses/subway that will connect to neighboring larger cities anyways? Yes, it's mandatory. I'm not sure if they are changing that but as you can see, this program isn't made for Gyopos like yourself, it's for the whities like the OP. It's their rules and that's what is in the contract. Don't be so high and mighty. Wherefore you might be sick of it, some others aren't and if you go with new friends you may have, the experience might be different.
High and mighty? I don't know how I came off as being high and mighty. I was just saying that the whole tourist thing is definitely played out and not something I want to be a part of.
And, you're saying something completely different from what I've learned. I was actually told that ethnic Koreans are given preference. It's stated a few times on their website (http://www.talk.go.kr) and pretty much everyone I've talked to who has been in the program is a Korean-American (though that might just be because I hang around Korean Americans). Quickstriker also told me in PM that knowing Korean will be a big plus in getting the job.
p.s. afaik gyopo is pretty derogatory. my feelings are hurt. apologize plz
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thank you all so much for this thread, it's given me a lot of information I wouldn't otherwise have gotten
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Gyopo is so derogatory that must be why both of the Korean radio stations my grandmother blasts 24/7 says that word all the time to describe themselves jeez, hmm.
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On December 08 2009 15:15 koreasilver wrote:
Gyopo is so derogatory that must be why both of the Korean radio stations my grandmother blasts 24/7 says that word all the time to describe themselves jeez, hmm.
ok, i'm wrong. sorry. only time i ever hear the word gyopo is when the fobs are cussing me out
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One more question, how comfortable do you live off 1.5mill Won a month?
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You know, I never heard the term "Gyopo" until now so I was curious (as due with my massive procrastination I am in at the moment) and decided to look up what exactly this term means.... as such thanks to wikipedia and urban dictionary, "gyopo" refers to people who were originated from Korea (as in born in Korea) but have reside and am living outside of Korea (like US, Canada, etc) calling that as home. So in order words, first generation (and 1.5 generation as well, can't forget those..) are "gyopos" but second generation are not! As gyopo is only described for native Koreans from Korea who left their homeland... which explains the whole radio station common usage...
source: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gyopo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_diaspora
On December 08 2009 15:20 Mekhami wrote:
One more question, how comfortable do you live off 1.5mill Won a month?
Well... I would say pretty much comfortably if you aren't spending or wasting your money like it's growing out of trees. You should be able to eat pretty much ANYTHING YOU WANT for an entire month with that sort of money and have fun with it, while others tend to save a bit amount. Like when I came back home after the program was over, of the possible 7.5 million won I could have, I only had 4 million won left, and that is even with spending money like crazy, buying clothes like no tomorrow, etc...
Btw, I believe each TaLK teacher also get a traveling/cultural experience stipend to use over the course of 6 months of 900,000 won to go to trips, bus rides, vacations, etc... I remember I got one of those too...
*edit* btw.. if you are wondering what happened to the remaining portion of my money... well it figures once you start living in NYC again, money goes away like flies... if you know what I mean...
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What can you tell me about public transportation? How many weekends can I go to Seoul or Busan? I want to go to Starcraft events for sure. Also I have a friend who will be living in one or the other.
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On December 08 2009 16:04 Mekhami wrote:
What can you tell me about public transportation? How many weekends can I go to Seoul or Busan? I want to go to Starcraft events for sure. Also I have a friend who will be living in one or the other.
Well, it all depends on where you may be located to reside for 6 months to teach and all.... Like for example, my region and area I was at was "Pohang" which was all the way in the south east part of Korea. To get to Seoul, I had 2 options literally, a 5 hour bus ride which for obvious reason of time consumption, only was able to go once a month at best... second option was to take the bus/train to Daegu in which then you would be able to take the train up to Seoul which will total up to 4 hours even with KTX (the super speed train in Korea) and is more of a hassle... so basically I was placed in a bad situation.... Busan is just wasn't worth for me either...
Another person who lives in Gyonggi Province is where Seoul is actually located at can be like an hour away from Seoul and have better access and fun than I would have to suffer to go to Seoul...
Nonetheless, I was able to make my trip to go to Starcraft PL events one time where I met up with NeverGG and Artosis! I believe it was WL OZ vs CJ 2/14 where I even was on TV during the first game! :D
*edit* Forgot to mention this, the rural areas all have bus terminals in which goes to Seoul daily... bigger region like Pohang would have various different schedules to go up to Seoul each day compared to some other more rural area where there would be only ONE SINGLE time to go to Seoul... so it also depends on that too... and the prices differ but where I was at... one way ticket = 25,000 - 30,000 won which means 20-25 dollars each.... yea it sucks..
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3861 Posts
On December 08 2009 14:59 misclick wrote:Show nested quote +On December 08 2009 14:11 lilsusie wrote:On December 08 2009 10:52 misclick wrote:On December 08 2009 10:07 lilsusie wrote:On December 08 2009 09:09 ShloobeR wrote:
IF you live outside of Seoul you will have a very difficult / aggravating time without semi-decent Korean.
I don't know which Visa you will be getting without a degree, but for the majority of teachers (E-2 visa) teaching outside of your designated institute is illegal, and the government is cracking down recently..
It's a great experience but do not blindly walk into this or you will regret it This is a program MADE for college students. http://www.talk.go.kr/It's perfectly legit as it's handled by the government. They have a Korean-American heading it now - so he will be able to be your go-to guy since he speaks fluent English. One thing that a lot of TaLK teachers complain about is the mandatory Korean excursions. It's called Teach and LEARN in Korea. If you do decide to go, please don't complain about this It's MANDATORY? That's ridiculous. I'm a Korean American (born in America though) and I've already done the whole touristy thing in Korea at least five or six times. I'm so sick of it. I don't think I'd mind living in the rural areas as I speak/read/write fluent enough Korean to get by on a day-to-day basis. Just gonna have to buy an alienware laptop before I go I'm also very curious as to how "rural" these places are. I've spent a few days in pusan (not really rural at all... just a toned down seoul) and jeju (though it was at a hotel) and it still doesn't seem very "rural." Maybe I just hold a different sense of the word rural but I'm assuming it's not necessarily a hut in the middle of a rice paddy? Like, there will be convenience stores and buses/subway that will connect to neighboring larger cities anyways? Yes, it's mandatory. I'm not sure if they are changing that but as you can see, this program isn't made for Gyopos like yourself, it's for the whities like the OP. It's their rules and that's what is in the contract. Don't be so high and mighty. Wherefore you might be sick of it, some others aren't and if you go with new friends you may have, the experience might be different. High and mighty? I don't know how I came off as being high and mighty. I was just saying that the whole tourist thing is definitely played out and not something I want to be a part of. And, you're saying something completely different from what I've learned. I was actually told that ethnic Koreans are given preference. It's stated a few times on their website (http://www.talk.go.kr) and pretty much everyone I've talked to who has been in the program is a Korean-American (though that might just be because I hang around Korean Americans). Quickstriker also told me in PM that knowing Korean will be a big plus in getting the job. p.s. afaik gyopo is pretty derogatory. my feelings are hurt. apologize plz
Uh. I'm a gyopo too. It's not derogatory, it's just.. a word to describe people like you or me. If that's the case, the word fob would be pretty derogatory too.
I guess, what I meant by "high and mighty" is .. you just sound like the whiny kids I train for summer programs. Yes, I know you've been to XYZ but you know what? GO AGAIN, it's a part of your contract and program.
I mean, it's the same thing, if I have people from out of country who come to Korea. Like that guy in general "OMG I HAVE TO GO TO A MSL FINAL" well - for me, I've been there, done that, "definitely played out and not something I want to be a part of". But I'll still go if there's a group of people going or if I am needed.
Bleh, Also, most Korean Americans WILL do this program, not because of the preference but because it's the "motherland" and sometimes parents will send you, or you just wanna take a semester off and go there to make some money, play and go back to school.
Most white Americans wouldn't take this option because if you're a college student, most likely your parents are paying for your education and they wouldn't want you to drop what you are doing to spend 6 months in some Asian country.
Go to EPIK and you'll see tons more White Americans than Korean ones.
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Eh. Be ready for a lot of racism in Korea. Most of it can be waved aside if you have a thick skin.
A few problems I've seen or have experienced:
If you want a cell phone, the local companies won't sell unless you pay upfront for the phone (no monthly payment plan allowed), provide certification that you'll stay in the country for at least 2 years, yadda yadda.
If you look asian and speak English, people will give you dirty looks and in some places the servers will treat you like shit.
Various shops and services will overcharge you because you don't know any better, or can't check the charge or contest it easily.
Brothels will turn you out because you have too big of a cock.
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3861 Posts
I think it's funny to see all the different opinions of Korea, actually.
As for the phone thing, as long as you have an E2 (teaching visa) and your school confirms you will be here for a given amount of time, you can get a phone with contract. You don't have to pay upfront.
F4 and F2 are considered Korean.
BottleAbuser, when was the last time you were in Seoul?
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Calgary25977 Posts
Just go to Seoul. Nowhere is Korea is as good.
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EPT
