That left a scratch

Today I waved my left hand so enthusiastically towards a friend that my engagement ring flew off my hand onto SW Burnside and Clay. Maybe I need it resized. Oops.

By the way, I'm planning my wedding for Summer 2011. Venue picked, but all other details unknown.

Adapting to International Differences

I found a reading that may be helpful to others interested in going abroad.

Adapting to International Differences

Many people find it hard to picture themselves in international contexts. Yet statistics show us that more and more people are crossing international borders every year. Here are some guidelines to help you adapt to this kind of communication situation and develop a "third culture" perspective.

1. Prepare yourself ahead of time. Preparedness is an important aspect of successful adaptation. While still in this country, read some books, take a course, or try to meet people from your host country. Ask them what you can expect. This knowledge will give you a sense of confidence and will impress host nationals with the effort you've made to understand their culture.

2. When you travel abroad, expect differences in material culture. In many countries housing, transportation, sanitation, food, and medical facilities may not meet the standards you are used to. Don't dismiss the importance of these differences, but don't let them overwhelm you either. Know that from time to time the lack of luxury and privacy will be frustrating. Don't take your frustration out on host nationals. Instead of complaining, see how they cope. Above all, practice patience.

3. Realize that it is naturally stressful to be cut off from familiar customs and landmarks. When you feel the stress of culture shock, take a break and relax. This may mean periods in which you withdraw a bit until you regain the equilibrium needed to explore your new environment. Give yourself occasional rest periods.

4. Make friends with host nationals and ask them to introduce you to their culture. Interpersonal contacts are an important source of information. Host nationals will usually be delighted to show you the ropes, and they can take you places you'd never have the courage to explore on your own. Your trip will be much more rewarding if you have made new friends.

5. Realize that you will make mistakes. From time to time you will violate norms of your new culture, and host nationals will undoubtedly violate some of your new norms. Laugh off these mistakes and learn from them. If reactions to your behavior suddenly seem strained, ask someone what went wrong and discuss what you should have done instead. Similarly, if a new acquaintance violates one of your customs, explain the violation in a nonjudgmental and nonthreatening way. Like other forms of communication, cross-cultural misunderstandings are best repaired by metacommunication.

6. Develop an attitude of nonjudgmental curiosity. While it is natural to see differences as "wrong," it is generally nonproductive. When you encounter a new custom, suspend your judgment and try to find out why the custom exists and how it functions within the culture. Instead of being a critic, be an observer. And remember the old proverb, "To understand all is to forgive all." (Trenholm & Jenson, 2008, p. 405-406)

Trenholm, S. & Jensen, A. (2008). Interpersonal Communication. New York: Oxford University Press.

Blast from the past

I know my first post discussed a little bit of my background and why I was finding a job in Korea, but I'd like to explain that I have given this a lot of thought. I don't want you to think this all came to me on a whim.

I bought this website on April 15th 2002. I was a college freshman, registering my domain through Phenominet, with my first debit card. I didn't know what the world had planned for me. Not sure if I knew what my major or future career would be. If I did have an idea, it probably changed a thousand times.

I retired my previous blog on October 2nd 2007. As I was going through that archive today, I read a blog post from August 15th 2006. There, I wrote about my aspirations to go back to South Korea. Yes, I have been there, and yes, I have lived there as a child. Now, I would like to return, work, and live there as an adult. I know that the six months I have to wait will pass by so quickly, but I feel so impatient right now. I feel like I've waited long enough!

And, still, I'm scared when I think about the thought of leaving my life in Oregon. Sometimes I think about giving up before I get too deep. Yet, what if the nagging feeling of going to Korea never leaves? Or what if it leaves and just returns? If I don't go now, I may never go.

Sometimes I get so frustrated over this decision that I feel like I could just pound the keyboard angrily for a few minutes, but that wouldn't offer any solution.

Oops

Andrew Han at YBM Education confirms that I may be looking a bit too early for a job. His email starts with...

It sounds great that you are getting your documents ready. The end of June recruitment starts around March and April.

I guess I'll relax a bit, and try not to get into too much trouble until March.

Too early, too soon

I am looking for a job that starts at the end of June 2010, and have found that I may be looking for a position too early. A lot of recruiters are telling me that they are filling positions for late February and March right now. Some asked me to re-contact them in April, which tells me that I may be four months too early on trying to find a job in South Korea.

Regardless, I am trying to get some items in order (e.g. criminal background check, diploma, transcripts), and will continue to look for jobs --albeit, a little less aggressively.

I did register for a profile at Serious Teachers so maybe that will be my key to success. We shall see!

Advice from veterans

I've known a few people that have taught English in Korea. Here is some of their advice that they were kind enough to share with me. Amanda says:

Dave's is a good site. Another one is Serious Teachers. After you post your resume you will most likely be contacted by a recruiter, and they will do all of the work for you. They find you schools and set up interviews and once you're hired they help you with the flight and settling in process. [You might want to wait] until August when public schools are hiring ... 2.1 [million won] is a pretty average starting salary. You can sometimes get higher as a first year teacher in Seoul especially if you have a teaching degree or you are TOEFL certified. Like around 2.2 or 2.3. I wouldn't go below 2.1 though.

Tess' advice to me included:

I'd say about 1/2 of the hagwons are horrid, and 1/2 are totally great. It's all about finding one with honest owners. Def try to talk to at least 1 teacher at the school, so you can get an opinion from a teacher. And whatever you do... don't teach at Choo Choo Train English in Anyang. Ha..I've sent out a lot of these, so I kinda have a back-up that I copy and paste ...

Here's my go-to message:

Most schools hiring English teachers are after school programs, called Hagwons. People have really great and really bad experiences depending on their school, so it's really worth doing the research on your school and talking to teachers there. This often depends on your boss. It's harder to work at public schools without experience teaching/a teaching degree/knowing Korean, but it's a better gig if you get a chance.

When i was there the average salary was between 2.1 and 2.3 million won, which was about 2,000 US a month, but with the dollar and won down, it's worth less now. Your school pays for your rent, sometimes utilities, and they should pay for your ticket over there and the cost of your visa. You also get a bonus of one month salary at the completion of your 1-year contract. This varies depending on where you live (big city or small) and how desperate schools are, and they usually are pretty desperate.

The visa laws changed right after I got there. You now go through the screening and background stuff here, so it might be different if they pay for it. It's hard not to get stuck in a 1-year contract. Your visa is totally dependent on your school. You can't change schools or quit your job and still have a visa.

Korean culture is very conservative and family oriented. Older people are very traditional, and the younger population is more open. In general they are very friendly, respectful and lovely people. I met lots of good friends, and younger Koreans are really fun to party with and love meeting foreigners. I had a great experience with the culture, but not so much with my school.

I also got a TEFL certificate, which is not necessary in Korea, but will help with getting higher pay and the job you want. Most jobs work through recruiters.

Unsuccessful application?

Another fantastic email I have received:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your email regarding the position at Seoul English Village, your application is being processed and if you have not heard back from us in 5 working days it has been unsuccessful.

Kind Regards

SEV