Four years ago today:

After a whirlwind pilgrimage from Jinju, South Korea, to Middletown, New Jersey, in the space of a day (or so), after 40-plus days writing, after making a life-changing decision then deciding I wanted to change it back, after all this:

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Christmas Day

This weblog has been shut down until further notice.

Posted by John Dunphy at 12/25/2005 08:20:00 AM

It was over.

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Comment, Dec. 27, 2005:

WATHEWCDC said...

I enjoyed reading your blog. Here are some tips for people who might go to Korea. I spent 27 months in South Korea. I had both good and bad times there. At times I was smiling, others I was tired and angry.

As a teacher you are not valued based on your skills but on your appearance. If teaching children, you are always "on". Always smile, never frown. The parents don't want their children to see you "unhappy". You also have to realize that Korean kids usually have 10-12 hours days before they see you (if you teach at night) Don't bother giving them homework.

If teaching adults, keep thin. Being overweight is a cardinal sin in Korea. You will be told to lose weight and that you are fat on a daily basis. If you are thin, don't worry another fault will be pointed out ;-)

Your work schedule will make you tired. Don't teach a split shift. Because you will start at 6:30 AM and finish by 12:00 PM. Then have to go back for 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Thus sleeping in the afternoon and at night. This will cause you no end of misery.

Isolation can also be a factor. Some teachers I knew never made friends with Koreans because they felt that they were "teaching English for free". A dumb move because one can also learn Korean at the same time. So, that just leaves other teachers or just camping out at bars and pc rooms. Myself, I was taking the express train (KTX) to Seoul or Busan to meet friends almost every weekend. I had a life outside of where I worked. It cost money but gave me a necessary balance.

Don't come to Korea if you have a good life where you are now (girlfriend etc). Go at a time when you feel you need a change and have no ties home. Accept that you will be away for the year and make as many Korean friends as possible. By doing so, your time will be well spent.

Travel. Go to Japan or anywhere else in Asia! I managed to visit Fukuoka 4 times. The last time I met up with chap who owns his own record company. He was introduced to me by a friend in Seoul who also has his own label. We spent the day talking about old heavy metal bands, saw Judas Priest at Zepp and then met the band after the show.

That's what you have to accept while you are there. Don't bother getting on the plane if you think it will be too much. It probably will be.

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Merry Christmas.