When you first arrive in a new country, it’s easy to feel a little lost. When that country is as vastly different from the West as Korea, it’s even easier.
Everything is different, the language is difficult to understand and what on earth is that weird smell?!
Here’s 6 things that’ll make your life run a little (or a lot) smoother in Korea.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the 5 things I love about Korea. Sure, there’s a lot to love about this weird and wonderful place. But it’s certainly not perfect.
I’ve been living in Korea for a whole year now, and generally I’ve enjoyed my time here. However, like every country, it has its faults. There’s plenty of things I’ve found surprising, gross and downright irritating about being in Korea.
The time has finally come to expose the absolute worst things about living in Korea. Or, more specifically, a few things I’m personally not a fan of. Let’s begin!
The following is a guest article written by Jamie Hoyle.
The recruitment criteria for teaching EFL in Korea are simple. Have a degree. Have a criminal record without any brutal murders. Obtain a letter of shameless praise from an old manager or university professor. Wake up at 5am for a Skype interview. Speak English.
Speak English.
I speak English. I speak the most English English there is. I am English. It’s the only language I know. I will teach more people to speak just like me. I’m perfect.
Well, kind of.
Having been in Korea for over 7 months, now seems like a perfect time to reflect on the pros and cons of working as an English teacher with EPIK (English Program in Korea).
I’ve already given my two cents on what I consider to be the 5 worst things about working with EPIK, so now it’s time for the 5 best. It’s by no means been plain sailing, but there are certain aspects of the job that I can’t deny are pretty great. From the salary to the students, there’s plenty of reasons why so many people apply each year to be a teacher with EPIK. Let’s get started.
Before I moved to Korea last year, I spent hours and hours reading blogs and articles about working with EPIK. What I read, along with my relentless optimism, painted an idealistic image of what it would be like living and working in Korea. While all this information was really useful, it left me unprepared for the less “ideal” aspects of the job.
I’ve now been working as an English teaching with EPIK for 7 months, and I definitely have lots to say about it. In the interests of providing a more balanced view, I have put into words what I consider the 5 worst things about working for EPIK.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Despite these drawbacks, I’m still glad I came to Korea to teach, and there are many reasons why I haven’t fled the country just yet. Check out my 5 best things about working for EPIK.
Anyway, let’s get to it.
