Recently I have come across so many people with extraordinary opportunities to work in South Korea, who seem to think that they are "less fortunate"or owed something more than the rest of us. Occasionally, you will meet a teacher who really has been dealt the shit end of the stick, but more often than not they are just folks who weren't prepared to be teachers in the first place and were expecting to breeze through without doing work. These teachers don't appreciate the struggles of teachers who are actually dealing with corrupt Hagwons, poor or late pay and little to no holidays. The public school experience is actually a very nice set up. Korea can be an absolutely trying and crazy experience, but you really have to make an effort to be totally miserable here! Want to guarantee that you too will become one of those Soul sucking dementor teachers? Follow these steps:
1. Maintain a generally negative attitude about your new country and your surroundings, as well as constantly comparing it to your home country.
2. Hang out with other negative teachers, or even date/marry them for the full pleasurable effect.
3. Never partake in any Korean activities or attempt to learn anything about the culture.
4. Don't make strides towards learning even the most basic Korean phrases, that will help you get by and be accepted as a polite, respectful, member of society.
5. Complain on the largest media platform you can find, in hopes of meeting other soul suckers such as yourself. Chances are you will just alienate your support system (the other native teachers). Of course, a little complaining is necessary from time to time and we all do it, but when it consumes all of your conversations it becomes really tiring, really fast!
6. Don't reach out to the other network of teachers, who are more likely than not, dealing with similar situations in a more mature and positive manner. If you did reach out, they might be able to offer you creative solutions or at the very least, some positive feedback and reinforcement.
7. Don't make your apartment feel like home. That would allow you to get too comfortable or take ownership over your habitat. Instead, you can continue to feel as if you are renting a space in a country you are not too fond of.
8. Do make random, sporadic attacks on people who are enjoying their time in Korea. Insist that they cannot possibly be having fun because you are not, or that they somehow have been "dealt a lucky hand." This will make you the life of the party!
9. Treat your time in Korea as if it is just a gap year or another drunken study abroad session. After all, how much work do you really need to put into teaching?
10. Blame it all on luck and never take your work ethic or attitude into consideration. Sometimes we need to assume personal responsibility, re-evaluate and approach a situation in a different way. As a teacher, this is invaluable!
10. Blame it all on luck and never take your work ethic or attitude into consideration. Sometimes we need to assume personal responsibility, re-evaluate and approach a situation in a different way. As a teacher, this is invaluable!
Did you take note? Great! You are on your way to being the worst kind of person to spend time abroad! Alright, if you didn't pick up on my obvious sarcasm, then you may have just gathered that I have been put off a bit by some of the negativity in the teaching community. Particularly when I have met such fantastic, positive people, sharing such a wonderful experience! Ups and Downs and all! I have had my share of troubles, but I have learned to face them with positivity and a wicked sense of humor. Sometimes that's all you can do.
Have you made attempts to improve your situation here? No? Well here is my sympathy face...
Want to make the most of your year teaching abroad? Check out these helpful tips for staying sane in Korea!
