[Tara-chan]

SO hey guys. Im a senior in college (20) and im thinking about career options. My majors in Asian Studies and I have 5 years Japanese experience and 2 years Korean experice. I have been to both countries two times but I feel like Korea is pulling back. I cant pick out why I loved Korea so much, maybe it was the culture, language or the people but I feel like I want to try working and living there for a while. I have been told to start out teaching english but im not sure where to go from there. Will companies in Korea hire a foreigner who can speak Korean in there companies or do you think I will be stuck with the teaching english jobs. Also I want to know from a Korean perspective about foreigners living in Korea. Any advice you guys could give me would be cool. Thanks for reading.

[dahmanegi800]

It seems that most foreigners who work in Korea, are there through companies they got into overseas. I'm not saying you can't go and apply to a company while in Korea, and I'm sure there are many foreigners who work in Korea who've done as much, but that's just the feeling I get/got. The majority of foreigners I ran into while in Korea were all related to the English education field. Many of those I met started in that field to eventually make their way into corporations and government positions.

As for the mindset of Koreans on foreigners. Most are indifferent. Especially in the big cities. However, you will run into the occasional ass, but that's expected anywhere you go. There is a recent article in the Current Events section about Koreans, and dealing with race. http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=318538 However, as disappointing as it is, most of these types of things are directed towards darker skinned people. Still. Koreans as a whole, in there attempts to globalize, are slowly becoming more open minded.

I think you should just go for it.

[Hello! Project]

The US Army maybe....? Dunno. My ex-boyfriend is in Basic Training now, and for his dream sheet he chose South Korea, Japan, Hawaii and New York. The Army will put him wherever he is needed but i hear just about anyone who requests South Korea would get it. He chose it because he knows I want to go to Korea lol. But if you don't choose that route, I think becoming an educator would be about the easiest option. It would atleast give you a steady paycheck and an ability to lay your head so you can find a different, more in your field job. I haven't been to Korea, but I don't think they are as welcoming as Japan (I have been there)... I couldn't stand out more if I tried, I was a black female in amass of Japanese people, few white people here and there... I would like to tell you Korean companies would say "darn her race, her work ethic and command of the Korean language is remarkable, lets hire her." But I am not Korean, and can not represent them like that, because I don't know. All you can do is try. Luck be with you.

[Yubumsuk]

I've known a few guys who worked for Korean companies, but all of them got jobs there after they had been teaching in Korea for a while and started to make contacts.

Here's the problem with being a westerner working for a company, though: if you're a native speaker, and especially if you're white, you'll probably still get asked to do some English teaching. Your boss will want you do extra English classes for the other employees; your co-workers will want to hire you as an English tutor for their kids; you'll become English editor-in-chief whether you want to or not. Basically it's almost unavoidable.

[KoreanDior]

actually i'm thinking the same thing too but im going to drop out of college (2nd year at the moment) :s
i just hate seattle, and i want to get away from everything.
i think if you wanna live there, find a cheap place to live. the only bad thing about apts in korea is the key money -____-;; if u wanna live there find a youth hostel they are pretty cheap and u can lower the price depending on how long u are gonna stay there.

and usually itaewon is a good place for foreigners since there are soo many foreigners lol.
good luck!!

[ma99ie]

If you want to teach in Korea, I think the general criteria is that you need to have a college degree. Hagwons (private colleges) are easier to get into, but chances of you being screwed over are higher - plus you'll be teaching night classes to kids who've just come from 8-hours of daytime schooling. The wages might be higher, but the conditions generally aren't great. I'd suggest you try to get into the public school system there first before going into hagwons.

Here's a whole 52-page thread all about teaching English in Korea - most people who've contributed to the thread are already teaching there.

http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11960

As for working for Korean companies, I think that might be difficult to break into. It depends on what industry you're after though.

[Jun_Raaargh_]

Reply's a bit late but might as well.

Will companies in Korea hire a foreigner who can speak Korean in there companies or do you think I will be stuck with the teaching english jobs.

When you say 'companies' not exactly sure what you mean. A smaller firm (that is, a small tutoring place), will usually accept korean speaking - english teaching people, like you, graciously. If you ment something along the lines of "Will a korean company hire a foreigner who speaks korean to do a non-english teaching job", the answer is that it depends. There are 10000000000's of people in korea looking for jobs, and they all have their own unique individual talents, thus here you have a severe disadvantage. Why not utilize your english speaking capabilities to look for jobs that require your own skills? (e.g. Being able to speak english + korean, usually means tutoring).


Also I want to know from a Korean perspective about foreigners living in Korea
Ok, im in Korea right now and just decided to join today (since im going to be starting university soon enough). To me (Im from australia), foreigners are no big deal in korea anymore, the GI's have made it that way. If you go to Itaewon no one really bats an eye at people of differing races (that is unless you black or sexy). No offence ment.
However, if you dont look asian, qualifying for the 'up-there' jobs seems to be a difficult process. Sorry i cant write anything else right now, i just cant be buggered

[slllam]

this may be an old reply, but honestly why would any white person want to live in Korea? With the exception of Russians, I don't see at all why anyone would want to live in Korea. Our culture, and food are so different.

[Yubumsuk]

this may be an old reply, but honestly why would any white person want to live in Korea? With the exception of Russians, I don't see at all why anyone would want to live in Korea. Our culture, and food are so different.

Ah, but that's what makes is so interesting (although the food ranges from fantastic to disgusting). Korea never ceases to fascinate me. And if you're a teacher there are some really good jobs teaching really nice kids, too. I know that Korea certainly isn't for everyone, but it suits me nicely. There are times when it feels like the most ridiculous place on earth but then I seem to fit right in, lol.

That said, I'm going to Bali in six days and can hardly wait to escape the windy winter. I'm sure there'll be plenty of Koreans there in case I'm starting to miss the place.

[Hot Fire Neko]

^Yup. The food definitely ranges from absolutely delicious to 'WHY THE HELL WOULD PEOPLE EAT THIS?", but i'm unfortunately dedicated to trying anything once.

As for why an american would want to live in korea... Teaching jobs pay better. Govt contracted jobs are tax free *well they are everywhere not in the US, but still <3*, it's a fun refreshing change from america, and the people are quite interesting as well.

That and for a country the size of...Indiana, there's ALOT to see and do for my age bracket who's also into the whole cultural experience. I've been here 3 months and it feels like 3 weeks time with the accumulated new experiences of 3 years.

[Yubumsuk]

^Yup. The food definitely ranges from absolutely delicious to 'WHY THE HELL WOULD PEOPLE EAT THIS?", but i'm unfortunately dedicated to trying anything once.

As for why an american would want to live in korea... Teaching jobs pay better. Govt contracted jobs are tax free *well they are everywhere not in the US, but still <3*, it's a fun refreshing change from america, and the people are quite interesting as well.

That and for a country the size of...Indiana, there's ALOT to see and do for my age bracket who's also into the whole cultural experience. I've been here 3 months and it feels like 3 weeks time with the accumulated new experiences of 3 years.

That's a good way of putting it. Not having to put up with American-style PC bullmini cooper at work is another advantage for teachers, too. There's not as much opportunity for career advancement, but if you get along well with your school in Korea it can be a great gig.

I know what you're saying about time flying by, too. I can't believe that this school year is already over; it seems like just last week I was making my introductory lessons. One thing I should warn out about, though: many newcomers to Korea experience about a 3-month honeymoon period and then a slump around the 6-month mark. Planning something fun like a little holiday around the 6-month mark can be a good idea.

[nelly]

I'm not sure about Korea but my friend in Japan also majored in Asian studies and worked as a translator when he got there. After a few years, he got a job in a non-profit organization for foreigners who live in Japan. Some foreigners work as missionaries and ministers. The possibilities are endless.

[erure]

I don't exactly know where I qualify but I wanted to write on this thread. I'm Korean and was born in Korea, but I moved to the U.S. when I was young, and I recently got my U.S. citizenship. However, I want to live in Korea for a year or two after I graduate from college, which is in June. I'm hoping to move to Korea (like sell all my things and move over there) in the fall. I'm confused on visas and what will happen to my citizenship if I live in Korea for an extended period (more than 90 days), because I just got the citizenship about 6 months ago. And what did you guys do with your bank accounts when you left? Haha I have a lot of questions and hopefully I will get some help... Thank you.

[Yubumsuk]

I don't exactly know where I qualify but I wanted to write on this thread. I'm Korean and was born in Korea, but I moved to the U.S. when I was young, and I recently got my U.S. citizenship. However, I want to live in Korea for a year or two after I graduate from college, which is in June. I'm hoping to move to Korea (like sell all my things and move over there) in the fall. I'm confused on visas and what will happen to my citizenship if I live in Korea for an extended period (more than 90 days), because I just got the citizenship about 6 months ago. And what did you guys do with your bank accounts when you left? Haha I have a lot of questions and hopefully I will get some help... Thank you.

You can get an F-series visa that will allow you to live and work here for a year, renewable if you'd like to stay longer.

As for banking, that all depends - will you be working here? If you're staying for more than six months I'd suggest setting up your own bank account here and then closing it when you leave. As long as there's no more than $10,000 in it transferring or carrying the money back home should be no problem.

[erure]

You can get an F-series visa that will allow you to live and work here for a year, renewable if you'd like to stay longer.

As for banking, that all depends - will you be working here? If you're staying for more than six months I'd suggest setting up your own bank account here and then closing it when you leave. As long as there's no more than $10,000 in it transferring or carrying the money back home should be no problem.

So I should keep my U.S. bank account open? I already have a bank account in Korea. It's sort of weird for me because it's like I have two homes and I've been living in the U.S. for the most part but now I'm planning on going back and living in Korea for a while. My dad and all my relatives live in Korea, which is part of the reason why I want to live in Korea for a while. So if I'm planning on staying for 2 years at max, I should keep my U.S. bank account open? Thank you in advance

[jurassic5]

and then closing it when you leave.

i don't know what the exact banking rules are, but since 2000, i've had the same Woori (formerly Hanvit) bank account. I leave about 10,000 won in there and when I go back and travel in Korea or work for a short-time, I just deposit money in there and use the check card. I can't wait to go back there this Spring and see how much interest i've earned since 2008. haha


erue, go for the F-4 visa. It's good for 2 years and you're not tied to an employer.

[May_t]

dang.. i wish i knew someone from korea so i can go live there for like 6months! or a year..

[Yubumsuk]

So I should keep my U.S. bank account open? I already have a bank account in Korea. It's sort of weird for me because it's like I have two homes and I've been living in the U.S. for the most part but now I'm planning on going back and living in Korea for a while. My dad and all my relatives live in Korea, which is part of the reason why I want to live in Korea for a while. So if I'm planning on staying for 2 years at max, I should keep my U.S. bank account open? Thank you in advance

Well, I'm no financial advisor, but as long as the US account doesn't have high monthly fees I'd keep it open. You never know when you may return and it's one less thing to worry about it you suddenly have to.

[kasanny]

I have a question... what about studying cosmetology or studying in korea?