Pros and Cons

So I am coming to the end of my stint in Korea (10 more days). Boy am I ready to go home though. Don't get me wrong... I think that this place has it's good points... but the stuff I just laughed off... well I am no longer in the laughing mood.
So I thought that I would compile a pros and cons list of Korea (my perspective).

Pros
- The money can be pretty good. Since you live rent free and are only responsible for your food and bills... a lot of your paycheck is banked.
- Eating out in Korea is pretty cheap. You can have a pretty decent meal for a lot less than you would pay in a western country. (exceptions are if you want western food - because it is foreign... it can be pretty pricey)
- Transportation is really inexpensive. Unlike Toronto, where you pay a single fare, in Korea you pay only for the amount of stops you will using the public transport for.
- Heat and Gas are DIRT cheap. Okay, so this month I went a little crazy with the heat because it was cold... but after all of my usage... my bill came only to $29 (which by Korean standards is pretty high). A friend of mine gets bills for about $6 a month. Also, since the heating control is in your apartment, you can turn the heat on and off to limit your out of pocket expenses.
- Korean people seem to be genuinely pleased when you make an effort to learn their language. Even when I butcher words, the fact that I make an effort to try and speak Korean, seems to lead to many compliments.
- The fact that you can meet people from all across the globe is pretty cool.
- Koreans seem to be making a genuine effort to learn English. Because the Korean language is not highly used off of the peninsula, Korean people are making a consorted effort to learn English through Hagwons, TEOIC tests and English Villages.

I am sure that I can come up with more.... if I do... I'll post them.

Cons
Bare in mind... I am leaving the country in 10 days.
- Because of the fact that Hagwons (English Schools) are not regulated by the government in this country, the chance of getting a BAD Hagwon is really high. Sometimes a lot of companies that promise a lot of money, do not live up to their promises or your expectations. In addition, contracts are considered a "Western" idea. Though the Korean companies will hold you to the contract, they will not necessarily adhere to it themselves. There have been many times where a company will alter your work hours, pay or days of work, which conflict with your contract, without any second thought.
- Fear of foreigners is still really high among the older generation. While the younger generation seems to have more of an open mind, a lot of the older are very xenophobic. Do not be surprised if an older person yells abuse at you... or spits at you on the subway (ewwww!).
- Korea is still a male dominated society. If you are a female, there is a visible separation between your rights and that of a man. Males can rise to high positions in this country, however, females seniority positions are few.
- North American foreign workers have the ability to gain back all of the monies contributed to their Korean pension when they leave Korea, however, such luxeries are still not afforded to Australians. For example, Paula is leaving and unlike me, will have to forfit a $5000 pension pay out.
- The way that Korean schools, Hagwons and Villages treat their Korean staff is saddly unfair. Though I make about $2100 a month, a Korean teacher working in the same job receives a lot less than I, with considerably less benefits. This happens because regardless they will always find a Korean to take a job, while they foreigners as more picky (as we are accustomed to more rights in our home countries).
- Sometimes foreigners come here and forget that they are representatives of their country, in addition to their race. At times, some foreigners will behave disgustingly and in turn perpetuate the negative xenophobic view held by the general Korean population.

All in all my time in Korea was a huge learning experience. Not only was I able to become more self-sufficient and independent, but I was also able to meet so many wonderful people. This opportunity, though not always smooth, has been invaluable.

I strongly suggest that you do your research! If you plan on coming here talk to present as well as old staff members, as they will hopefully be honest and let you know what you are walking into. I recommend reading this entry for more information on what to look for in a contract.

10 days and counting!
Cheers!