That's pretty good Dan!

I know they are hurting for teachers right now. I have a freind that was working the same hours as you, but not under contract. He was making $2,000 a month. He told them he was leaving and they raised his salary to $2,500 not to leave! Maybe it is because of the crack down on the Canadians a few months back.

Mike

Mike and BIGD,

Thanks for all the advice and info. I will be checking out that weblink.

Some other questions, if I may:

1. If I have no access to American bases, what is it like to be able to find Western or actual American products to buy over there? Is there a Walmart? And I already do know that there are American fast food restaurants over there. And even some of the resturant chains (are there any in the Songtan area besides McDonald's and Dominios Pizza?). Can I go to the local Korean supermarket and find American products easily? For that matter, are there supermarkets in Songtan that are like the grocery supermarkets here in the States (Krogers, Publix, Albertsons, Acme, Winn-Dixie, Food Lion, etc)?

2. Is there a way for American civilians to be allowed to get partial access to American bases? I understand it would not be full benefits like active duty soliders.

3. Has anti-americanism gotten bad? Do you feel threatened at times?
I understand that there will also be some form of resentment because of the presence of our troops and such...so you don't need to go into a tirade about that one! :) Just how do you feel? From your experience and people you know and have heard about?

4. Okay---looking over the previous posts, your saying that the average Korean civilian over there makes around 19-20 million won (or roughly $19,000). So the economy and cost of living is suitable for that kind of income. So if someone is making around $25,000 and gets room and board paid for, he should be doing alright in Korea? Correct?

5. Do the schools pay you in won or dollars? By check or cash? Direct deposit exist over there?

6. Speaking of which, American banks over there? Or does it matter?

7. BIGD --- any suggestions of Teaching English in Korea websites I could look at to check other options?

I guess thats enough for now...haha

This is great info guys...I am so thankful for all of you working to make this forum possible.Thanks!

Hi, LostIslandJedi. I'll try to answer the first three questions for you in a nutshell.

I'm not from the Songtan area, so my answers are somewhat Korea in general...

You can find American food and products; just be prepared to pay roughly 40-60% more on them since they are imported. Otherwise, you're looking at blackmarket or knock off's. Walmart or supermarket...well, they have them, but not the kind we're used to. They're more like Costco's; giant warehouse types. Other than that, you only have local grocery stores. Basically, my answer is "No, there is no place like Walmart or an Albertson's grocery store".

Access to the bases? No access. Don't matter if you are American; means squat. The only way to get base access is to work there and be under SOFA. I'm sure there are workarounds, but in the interest of OPSEC I'm not going to mention any.

Anti-Americanism? No need to worry about it at all. This place is just too safe. If you ever feel threatened, just say you are Canadian.

Just be prepared for major culture shock (not a bad thing, tho). They may have a few things we are familiar with here, but it's still "Korean" in its way. Pizza Hut, for example, is not the Pizza Hut we know. Heck, even Doritos and CheeTos shocked me. :p

Just keep an open mind...make new Korean friends and I'll guarantee you that you'll have a time of your life. Despite the extremes we mention in this forum, Korean people are amazingly nice people and they'll help you out. Koreans love showing off their culture to foreigners.

Eddie,

Thanks for the post and info.

If its not asking too much, could you respond to the below quote from my previous post? I don't need an essay, just wanted to see your opinion and general feeling that that is in the ballpark? As Mike said, I know it varies what people feel is "comfortable," but I am seeking an average income foundation to project from.

Also --- Eddie ---- I had asked BIGD this question in my previous post:

Do you perhaps have any leads you could point me towards? If not, thats fine. Just am curious...

Thanks again!

Hi, LostIslandJedi.

The reason I did not answer those particular questions is because I do not have much knowledge on them.

The only English-teaching experience I've ever had were private lessons and that was over a decade ago, so, sorry, I have no info on ESL Websites.

I think 20K a year in Korea is pretty adequate to get by in Korea (with paid housing, of course) as long as you don't fall too much into the culture of night-clubbing, drinking, fashion trend, ...and wrong women!

But, seriously, I know contractors who make around $25K or so and have the ability to provide the wife and kids, and own a vehicle. I guess it's all about spending wisely...a thing the Korean people should learn, in my opinion.

LostJedi,

Here is the Best ESL website that I know of for Korea.

http://www.eslcafe.com/

Look at the "Stuff for teacher's" section. Tell Dave I sent you!

Mike

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Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

Hi Lost; These Guys Are Doing A Great Job Of Explaining Things. I Would Like To Ask You Something... Do You Have A Job In Korea??? If Not, Don't Come...if So, Talk To Your Sponsor And Find Out The Basics...there Is A Ton Of Information On The Web About Esl Teaching... Be Ready For A Change And Be Flexible... Things Change Every Day... I Hope This Helps

__________________
DAN BURESS

BIGD ---- I am POSSIBLY moving there. No, the job has not been formalized yet.

Why would you say not to take it? Do you not like Korea? Are you saying not to come there for any particular reason? Have you had a bad experience?


Thanks....

No, Not At All. I Like It Here. What I Meant Was, If You Don't Have A Contract For A Job, Don't Come Over And Then Hope To Find One... Many People Have Done That And Found The Going Pretty Tough... Just A Word Of Caution. Do Everything Legal And Have A Sponsor Or Good Employer. Do Your Homework!!

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DAN BURESS

I think you guys are vastly underestimating the average income in Korea. $19,000 comes from the average income earned PER PERSON in purchase power parity, otherwise known as the per capita income. That is not the same as the average amount of pay check. For instance, if a father soely earns $40,000, and there are 3 people in the family (average Korean family size), the per capita income comes out to $13,333. There is also a factor of incomes in rural areas versus the urban areas. Average incomes in urban areas outstrip farming rural areas by a factor of one/third. Incomes in rural areas are only about 60% of the urban areas. This spread is getting wider every year, as the rural population continue to age with shrinking number of farmers. Rural areas have missed Korea's economic revolution.

According to KBS, average yearly income in urban areas is 37 million won (approx. $37,000), while the rural areas has been stagnant at ($20,000). This makes hagwon's pay check for ESL teachers between $2 million and 2.5 million won ($24,000 to $30,000), slightly below the average Korean urban wage initially. But if you count the fact that ESL teachers usually get free housing provided by the schools, their wages are in line with the average Korean urban wages.