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Hello,

In response to your request to post my piece on Korea - Sure, go ahead.

Michael 

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 Some balance for a change... 

                
                   ...So many hateful words about experiences in Korea! How
about a little balance? Here is a short summary of my 2+ years experience: 

                   O.K., yes, many of the horror stories are true. I know -
I lived through one of them for a year. I first went to Korea through a US
recruiting agency in 1997. The next 11 months were one of those nightmare
experiences you've heard all about - hence, no need to elaborate. Although I
felt many of the same hateful feelings toward my bosses you have probably
just been reading about, I also have to admit that it was partially my own
poor judgement (blindly signing a contract through an agency) that got me
into the situation. (HINT: Find a job on your own, verify contractual
obligations on both sides, and above all - talk to current teachers before
signing.) 

                   I stuck it out through my first year, as I was determined
to find a good experience in Korea. My determination paid off - I was hired
for my second contract at SLP Seocho (a school I highly recommend) in Seoul.
The directors of this school were very fair, honest and caring in their
dealings with teachers.  While working for this school for 14 months, I was
also able to learn Korean at a language school, take lessons in Chinese
Calligraphy and Changgu (Korean drum), and get to know some fascinating
Korean people along the way. These very positive experiences have profoundly
enlarged and brightened my overall view of Korea.

                   My advice: BE CAUTIOUS when seeking a job - the
opportunity for disaster is there if you are not careful. Once you have
found a suitable position (NOTE: suitable does not = just like home - you
wanted to experience life in another country, right?), don't sit and sulk
with the expats in Itaewon! Get out there, learn how to speak some Korean,
learn something about the amazing country all around you. Get to know the
real Korea - through their language, through their customs, through their
view of the world - not just through the sharks of the hagwon biz. Most of
all, realize that with whom you choose to associate and how you react to the
situations you are confronted with, you create the view of Korea you will
walk away with.

                   Good Luck! 

                   M, Minneapolis, MN