Glad to hear.

Personally, I really like Korea for the most part. That said, my contract is finished and I'm getting ready to travel before I make my next move. Korea has a lot of things going for it. The work environment leaves a lot to be desired, however. Anyway, it's nice you found something somewhere else. I don't have any plans on returning to the US but it's good to know there are some related opportunities there :)

You lasted 5 years? You are better than me, I only made it to 3. I am with you on the judging part. Koreans are just some miserable folks and the constant judging and keeping up with the Kims is the main contributor to the number of suicides in this country.

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I've got a decent job in the ESL field--teaching English to people from all over the world immigrating to the US, grading TOEFL exams, giving private lessons, and helping prospective students apply for their visas. While it isn't quite as much money as I was making in Korea, I am living comfortably,

From what most people say on this forum it's very difficult to 'live comfortably' on less than the US equiv of 2.1 million won. Unless you're sponging off your parents.  Otherwise people probably wouldn't come over here in the first place.

He might well be earning more just with costs of living etc, he has relatively less liquid cash.

I neither like nor dislike Korea; it's a means to an end. I had a 5 year plan and I am just starting my 5th contract. When this school year is finished I am leaving to go home as well. Home is SE Asia.

I have a house, wheels, all the furniture I need and am 100% debt free. I can thank Korea for that, and I do. To be where I am now in life is the only reason I came here, and it has worked out.

I've been at the same school the entire time and have been treated very well by everybody. Nonetheless, I would never choose to live here permanently. No serious complaints, just a general feeling that Korea isn't a great place overall.

Good luck buddy, but I think it's a terrible mistake to move back to a more expensive country and earn less than in Korea. You're happy though, so glad it worked for you.

Korea is what you make of it.

I dunno, I think everything is what you make of it. I'd rather be happy and poor than rich and sad. Personally I like money, but not at the expense of my actual happiness.

I am pretty sure if you just put your mind to it and are diligent with looking for work you will be able to find it in your home countries. Perhaps it may not be the best pay at first or maybe you won't be able to save as much at first. However, if you keep at it and climb up the ladder you will be making better cash, have a lot of work and aren't just sitting around most of the day, and following a career path. Some of you may even want to head back home and study to gain new skills for the future, which is what I plan to do.

I haven't been here that long compared to some of you but I don't see teaching in my long term career. Basically just put your mind to path you know you want to go down and don't give up on it, it will all pay off in the end.

Quote from: druzzrug on March 05, 2015, 09:45:00 PM

While it isn't quite as much money as I was making in Korea

Good luck buddy, but I think it's a terrible mistake to move back to a more expensive country and earn less than in Korea. You're happy though, so glad it worked for you.

Korea is what you make of it.

Prison is what you make of it. Having chemo is what you make of it. If someone is naturally inclined to not like something they're probably not going to be able to make much of it.

I have been in Korea for a lomg while. I enjoy my life here. Yes I understand that there are things in this country that are non-sensical, and I am fed up with the hiearchal system thanks to Confucianism, and I am totally against Confucianism.

It turns out that aside from the love of my job here in Korea, the only good I got out of being in Korea is making the money, taking in the good benefits, the lower taxes, the public transit system, good public safety, and the festivals. But when I want to take a break out of Korea, I leave the country to go on my vacations to either my home country, or to other Asian countries, preferably Southeast Asian countries, Thailand being my favourite.

I also have to say that Korea is a nice place, but the attitudes of some (not all) Koreans really stink. And speaking of stink, Korea is not that much of a good smelling country either. I when I was in Thailand 2 weeks ago, I really did not want to leave because Thailand is such a good smelling country. It's a good thing I brough back with me some Thai Jasmine air freshner to spray into my apartment.

Overall I enjoy my work here in Korea.

I have been living/working in Korea for about 5 years now. When I tried going back home to Toronto, Canada for half a year, I was miserable. Even though, I made much more money in Canada in the import/export business. I just wanted to get the hell out of there. I knew there was no way in hell would I ever settle down in Toronto ever again.

The people, the city itself sucked all my energy. I found it to be very unfriendly, and cold. (I've lived in Toronto for over 20 years)

Since moving overseas, I have never been more happier in my life. I guess the life here is not for everyone, and of course we all meet different people and have different work environments which also plays a factor.

I have also traveled to about 15 countries, and there is no other country I would rather settle down in.

In my case: "the grass is definitely greener in Korea"

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But more and more I just feel bad that these good people happen to be living in this overall miserable country

What do you think makes Korea a "miserable" country in your opinion? Just curious considering some people have used this term to describe it. I too have felt depressed here at times for various reasons and have gone through some similar situations as to other posters here.

What makes it miserable is probably mostly due to focusing on too many negatives rather than doing new things, going with the flow and emphasizing the positives like my first 2 or 3 years here.

But to answer your question more specifically: Probably the lack of general social etiquette, last minute decisions and lack of communication, decisions that make no sense (sounds vague but most veteran foreigners will know what I'm saying when you can only describe some things as "because Korea"), the whole hierarchy thing and people with power and old people acting like dicks because they can, loud, emotional public outbursts and adjusts making scenes on the street, the perception that foreign people have no personal boundaries, the acceptance of racism and gender inequality, constant talk of culture culture culture culture culture culture, constant comparisons to my home country in every conversation, pushing and spitting, sheep mentality, and just the overall stifling feeling of the culture and how everyone seems to be doing the "face" thing rather than being genuine (most people are just at a distance and quite fake, theres just a few genuine Korean friends I've made and it seems like they are all well travelled and are sick of the cultural stress here and have escaped from the brainwashed attitude that a lot of people have).

Now, you can make a long list of good things about Korea too, and counter everything above I'm sure - but these are just some of the things that begin to stand out more and weigh on you after being here for too long and losing the motivation to really explain them away and focus on positives. Are there things that I could do to keep improving my experience here? Yes.

But it seems that when I travel outside of Korea at this point things just feel so much more relaxed, genuine and normal in terms of interaction with people that things feel more and more stifling when I return.

I have many fond memories of Korea and enough positive bonds that it would be hard for me to leave, but its definitely time to head off somewhere new or at least take a long long break.