Tom
- 2011-04-01
Let me see. I don't know for sure knowing nothing of Korea myself but maybe they are a bit fussier about your degree- and something ypou said seems to bear that out. Chinese schools do not mind degrees purchased in Thailand down Khaosan Road- in fact I've seen degrees getting the Chinese grunt of approval that look as though they're fresh from a potato press. Very often in China a good school will politely and considerately ask a newbie teacher if he'd like a degree, one made in China but they are not quality ones, proper Khaosan Road ones,and likely to say "Oxfood Unnivversity"- nevertheless, good enough to get you a Z Visa and FEC.
The second advantage China may have is your young Chinese university students are often very friendly towards young cool dude from Pennsylvania, and for that matter dude's old Grand pappy too if he wants to go teaching with dude Grandson. Such sweet memories walking the great wall with Grandpappy and two giggling twenty year old studentesses.
Sinologist
- 2011-03-31
I will yield to your insight, as it as insight I lack as I have not yet visited South Korea, only the North.
I was intending to work in South Korea, but at the time could not afford the cost of having my degrees notarized and apostile. As such I decided to return to China, based on the rationalization that a different set of students, in a different part of China, would be a different, and hopefully more positive experience.
I wagered that I shouldn't form an opinion on China based on experiences in Beijing, however experiences here, at least as far as my generally dreadful set of students are concerned, are similar. Though I can't be replaced so easy due to the abject lack of foreigners in this part of China.
I try to avoid making generalized judgments on places, but I often wonder if people who make simple judgments lead happier lives. However, lets not get all philosophical.
What I am curious to is why anyone would trade life in South Korea for life in China. I am in part kicking myself for not going to S Korea instead, but I had academic commitments in the coming year, and needed a one semester contract. At least it is a one semester contract.
But life in South Korea vs life in China. Again I stress, I haven't yet been there, but I still struggle to comprehend why one would trade S Korean life for life in China. Do tell.