Welcome to Hell, or at least my version of it. Call me K, if you like. If you have a fast internet connection, click on the icons and images to get a taste of my sense of humour. (Don't worry, there isn't any profanity on my site.)

"It's so hard to stay together Passing through revolving doors We need someone to talk to And someone to sweep the floors"

A great many people (literally hundreds) have been to Korea, worked and taught there for a year (sometimes more, sometimes less) and related their experiences. So what makes mine any different and worth reading more than others? Nothing really, except that I was asked to by a recruiter who knows that my views, experiences, and reports about Korea are vastly different from most people's, and that my length of time here (since July 2001) is much longer than most.

"I remember - how we talked and drank Into the misty dawn - I hear the voices"

This website is intended as a guide for those thinking about teaching in Korea. In it I discuss how to prepare for coming here, what to expect, and what you should be aware of. This catalogue of diatribes is a reflection of me and the sum total of my experiences in Korea.

"Sickness to insanity, Prayer to profanity"

In many places, my tone isn't always positive. The reality is that although most will have a great time in Korea, not everyone will. It's like getting a child to eat something new: some kids just aren't willing and it's fair to criticize them for not doing so, but it's also unfair to criticize a child for not trying what they already know they don't like. (No matter how often they criticized or lied and said it was steak, my parents never made me eat liver!)

"I'm not giving up on the promise of adventure I'm not giving up on implausible dreams Experience to extremes"

Going overseas to live and work is an experience not to be missed, especially if somebody else is paying your way. I say in this website that Korea is not for everybody, but Korea is one of only a few countries I have been to and teaching opportunities in many other countries also exist. Look into them and see if there's a place that interests you.

An important note:
Most web sites you will find talk about the tourist attractions and forms of entertainment you can find in Korea. Because so many do this, I chose to make everyday living in Korea the focus of my site. Nobody talks about it. Some people find ordinary things tedious, but it's not the parties that keep you sane, it's the mundane stuff.

"Trying to change its program Trying to change the mode - crack the code"

And when I say look, I mean learn about the country before you go. Knowing something about the country you go to can help avoid preventable problems. The worst thing you can do for yourself, your potential employer and even your country is to jump in blindly.

Unfortunately, oft times there's no unbiased sources of information. Comments on Korea and other countries invariably fall into one of two categories: absolute love or utter contempt. I'd like to believe that my site is a compromise between the two. There are many things I have hated about living in Korea, but there are many benefits. If there weren't, why would I still be here?

"Handle with kid gloves Then you learn the lessons Taught in school won't be enough"

A big part of the comments on working here that is glossed over in the recruiting process is the job itself. Except for those with degrees in education, most who come here have little or no experience in teaching. Most people feel lost and left twisting in the wind, and I hope to address that and give you some ideas but not cloud your mind with preconceived notions or expectations.

"You see black and white And I see red - not blue"

Korea (and every country for that matter, including Canada) has a screwball society. Some things are just different, some things run counter to common sense, and some things will look just plain idiotic unless you were born in that culture and consider it normal. You can't come here with a "We're right, they're wrong" attitude and change these things. You can only be aware of them and avoid criticizing or being affected by them.

"It slips between your hands like water This living in real time"

So take the time to sit and sift through these pages. Some of it you simply won't believe. Some will run contrary to what you read elsewhere. Some of it, people would like to shut me up for saying. Regardless of what other people think, this site is the factual account of my experience vomited out (an a propos phrase when discussing Korea) on paper. Take it to heart, take it with a grain of salt, or take it to the dustbin, but take the time to read it. You will be doing yourself a favour.