South Korea - worth leaving a job here for?

LegacyUser

Hey Guys

I'd really appreciate some advice on this one. I'm a regular poster but as it's work related I've gone anon.

I'm currently working in advertising account management, and I've been in the company for 2 years now. Lately, I haven't been hitting my targets as regularly, but overall I'm doing pretty well and I've more responsibilty now than I used to - although this isn't reflected in my salary. I can't ask for a salary increase due to my recent failure to hit targets, as my wage would obviously be higher if I was qualifying for commission.

I like the company, it's a small office and I'm pretty much left to my own devices, I basically manage myself and it works for me. The people are sound enough, no-one I'm mad pally with but I'm happy to keep work and my social life separate.

If I stay on here, I'm not sure where my career is going. My degree is in Media, and I originally actually wanted to get into Journalism, but kind of fell into sales. I started with a few telecoms companies whilst in college, then on to Media Sales, and now my current position. I've done some freelance Journalism work over the years, and worked for a magazine over in Bristol for a summer, but that's it on that side of things.

The Journalism is something I'd be happy to do on the side; getting a full-time position is more of a pipe dream at present and to be honest there's just not enough money in it as I've a student loan over my head and not in a great finanical situation.

Im finding myself at a cross roads now though. I'm becoming more and more interested in Psychology, and I'd love to do an evening conversion course over 2 years with a view to working with young people or in a family mental health unit, however this won't be possible financially for about 2 years.

On the other side of things, I've always wanted to travel; I'm 25 now and I'm getting itchy feet. I've been looking into teaching in South Korea, and it seems perfect with my financial situation - I could travel and save a bit of money at the same time if I went over for a year. The only thing is, I have a few ties here, as my family is very unstable - and I'm worried about something happening when I'm away. I have extended family who I know would keep an eye on my siblings for me, but I feel extremely guilty about leaving them here on their own, I don't know what I'd do if something happened and I was on the other side of the world. Also, I know it seems mental to throw away a good job in Ireland at the moment, and of course there's the potential radiation issue over there.

I'd love to just up and leave now, just throw caution to the wind, get a job, and hop on a plane. But it's not that simple...or is it? I've always over analysed things, so maybe that's what I'm doing now.

Thanks for reading, and I'd really appreciate any input or advice.

LegacyUser

it pretty much IS that simple. I booked a flight, came to Madrid and managed to get work in teaching and I've been here a year.

First off, get rid of any notion that teaching is good money. You come out with between 1,000 - 1,300e a month, which is only when you actually manage to get good hours and a good job, starting out I was picking up the loose end classes which nobody wanted, I barely made 800e a month.

so what's the job like - teaching is fun, tho a lot of prep needs to be done in your own time, some teachers do very little others a lot. teaching adults in companies means u might be lucky to get 1/2 hours in the same location, then you travel to the next company. My average day I travel half - 1 hour between each class, I only have 2hrs in the day together, the rest is spread out, with breaks sometimes of an hour to kill in a bar...mostly morning/after 6pm is when there are classes.

kids is a bit better, bit lower pay, but u stay in one spot in a school or u can go to private classes which pay more.

you'll make enough to make ends meet, but remember, unless you work in summer camps during the summer, there's no work....that means 2months of no income, also in September you might be waiting a while to get all your classes, really most don't start till October...then over Xmas you might not work at all until end of Jan/start February...then there's holidays in between that you're not earning, so really, that 1,300e is mostly being saved for the time you're out of work....

that said, it's great to learn a culture/language and live abroad. some ppl earn very little btu have lots of free time to travel/relax. but if u want to save money, u end up workign early mornings/late nights

save up enough to get you through living there for a month or two, and flights home, and some emergency savings for during the year. Minimum 3k.

That said, in Korea/Japan they seem to have better pay and conditions - they'll pay for your flight over, sometimes your accomodation and it seems like u earn more money overall.

I'd say go for it and get new experiences, I've loved my time here and it can be a very rewarding job

LegacyUser

guest252 wrote: »

it pretty much IS that simple. I booked a flight, came to Madrid and managed to get work in teaching and I've been here a year.

First off, get rid of any notion that teaching is good money. You come out with between 1,000 - 1,300e a month, which is only when you actually manage to get good hours and a good job, starting out I was picking up the loose end classes which nobody wanted, I barely made 800e a month.

so what's the job like - teaching is fun, tho a lot of prep needs to be done in your own time, some teachers do very little others a lot. teaching adults in companies means u might be lucky to get 1/2 hours in the same location, then you travel to the next company. My average day I travel half - 1 hour between each class, I only have 2hrs in the day together, the rest is spread out, with breaks sometimes of an hour to kill in a bar...mostly morning/after 6pm is when there are classes.

kids is a bit better, bit lower pay, but u stay in one spot in a school or u can go to private classes which pay more.

you'll make enough to make ends meet, but remember, unless you work in summer camps during the summer, there's no work....that means 2months of no income, also in September you might be waiting a while to get all your classes, really most don't start till October...then over Xmas you might not work at all until end of Jan/start February...then there's holidays in between that you're not earning, so really, that 1,300e is mostly being saved for the time you're out of work....

that said, it's great to learn a culture/language and live abroad. some ppl earn very little btu have lots of free time to travel/relax. but if u want to save money, u end up workign early mornings/late nights

save up enough to get you through living there for a month or two, and flights home, and some emergency savings for during the year. Minimum 3k.

That said, in Korea/Japan they seem to have better pay and conditions - they'll pay for your flight over, sometimes your accomodation and it seems like u earn more money overall.

I'd say go for it and get new experiences, I've loved my time here and it can be a very rewarding job

Thanks for your reply. With regards to saving, I'm on 25k at the mo, and positions in Korea cover your air flights and rent, so it would work out pretty good for me if I hit 1300 a month I figure I'd be able to pay €300 off my loans monthly and maybe save an extra €100 also.

Nody

I'd strongly recommend reading this thread first. It is quite informative even though it gets down to a personal trenchwar in the middle and has people who're currently working in SK telling you how life is .

You also have this thread from a recruiter (a bit old) to read through.

guest252 is talking about Spain whereas Korea is a haven for saving money.. Flight and accom paid for and you would work in language schools that don't close for summer. Look into Taiwan and Vietnam aswell but they're not as easy as Korea.

I know people in Korea saving about 7-8k euro a year while still enjoying themselves. Basically, you'd pay off alot more that 300euro a month.
Go for it, what's there to lose.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the advice guys. I've decided I'm definitely going to go, it's the first time I've felt excited about something in a while, but I have a hell of a lot more research to do first - esp with regards to documentation etc. Also, from reading up on it, it seems my veggie diet won't be easy! :P

To hell with it though, I'm 25 with no ties, now is the time to do it!!

Check daves esl and start applying now... The process can take quite a while so better to get it started and then worry about paperwork etc.

Good luck with it.