Oh, Waygook. After being out of Korea for almost a month now I come back and read these problems that I used to identify with and I am so glad I am not in Korea anymore. If you are having a crappy time in Korea, just know your emotional state will get better once you leave. No more Korea crap for me.

Hey Chris, nice to see you are feeling good. Keep on truckin'

I'm out of here in 4 months.

lol, glad I ain't the only one that feels this way. I was reading a blog from a teacher who had been here for a number of a years and he described teaching in Korea is like being in a work camp and you have to earn your freedom, and I agree.

I feel that the closer my time comes to leave, the more I'm walking around as if I were back on my home turf (caring less about oh-so offending the locals). I dunno about the rest of you all, but I feel being a foreigner in Korea, that once I leave my apartment, I am on trial so to speak. On the street: getting condescending stares. At school: hushed whispers and not-so-hidden-pointing from the Korean teachers. I could go on, but you know what I'm talking about.

My sister has a 2.5 yr old boy and had another one while I was here, so I'm looking forward to going home and seeing them for a bit + just generally chilling the **** out. #knowwutimsayin'?!

I can't wait to leave. I have 3 months left. The real countdown for me is when the classes end... in 2 months. Cos then I'll have my vacation and hopefully when I come back, the Korean teachers won't be in school in August- I won't have to encounter the ones I dislike anymore. You know the ones- they don't acknowledge you unless necessary but if there is a Korean teacher walking behind you, they do the whole bow and Annyeonghaseyo. So fake.

I can't wait to leave. I have 3 months left. The real countdown for me is when the classes end... in 2 months. Cos then I'll have my vacation and hopefully when I come back, the Korean teachers won't be in school in August- I won't have to encounter the ones I dislike anymore. You know the ones- they don't acknowledge you unless necessary but if there is a Korean teacher walking behind you, they do the whole bow and Annyeonghaseyo. So fake.

Yeah there are a couple of teachers like that at my school as well. It's as if they literally do not see or hear me, but of course they are functioning adults (I think) in other areas so...    I used to think they were nervous to speak in English or something (I can understand that) but I've come to realize they're probably just dicks.

ChrisKorea, I always enjoyed reading your Korea short stories/observations but glad to hear you're doing better now that you left.

I think most people I have met have had positive experiences in Korea.

Western countries are in fast decline, and I think I know why...

Please tell us.

I used to think western countries where in decline too, until I came to Korea.

Then I realised just how close Korea is to total collapse both financially, socially, and otherwise.

While things are getting worse in the west with the loss democracy in the USA and other former "freedom loving" countries, there is simply no way they are in as bad a position as places like China and Korea.

Quote from: eggieguffer on May 19, 2016, 12:27:57 PM

Quote from: basi on May 19, 2016, 12:19:36 PM

I think most people I have met have had positive experiences in Korea.

Western countries are in fast decline, and I think I know why...

Please tell us.

if you haven't realized why by now there's nothing I can do for you.

Humour us though, it'd be interesting to hear. I'm very happy here and I don't intend on living back in the west for another while, at least, but I'd love to know your observation on why Western countries are in decline.

I also can't wait to leave, a little over 2 months left.
in both my schools, everyone has left over the past 2 years. i'm basically the #3 or #4 most senior teacher if based on how early i've started at each public school. (i know as a foreigner my seniority is just below the janitor :p)

So it's not just me. almost everyone hates my 2 schools and i dislike almost everyone. i've only stayed because this year i get a raise (to 1+), and it's easy money. the thing is, i've almost never had problems with students - they're the most enjoyable part of the job. so although i can't wait to leave, i haven't taken any of it out on the students. still rocking the lessons, unlike many korean teachers just clocking in like drones.

Also I don't get scared by the passive aggressive "good luck finding a job" comments. SK is the 3rd country I've taught English in, over a span of 9.5 years. And i don't even have to teach English if i don't want to. There are probably many people like me. Keep moving forward, life can be hard but it's not THAT hard.

Sidenote: although i enjoyed korea over all, it is going to be so nice to be in a diverse society again. different people, looks, food, etc. the homogeneous society thing is kind of getting to me.

Sidenote: although i enjoyed korea over all, it is going to be so nice to be in a diverse society again. different people, looks, food, etc. the homogeneous society thing is kind of getting to me.

I agree! So much is the same in Korea...I actually started to miss the directness of American's.