What will you do in Korea when there are no more students?

to be fair its kind of reasonable to assume that somebody teaching in europe probably isnt in it for the savings.

You're right. This guy gas been in Korea longer than I have. He prepared well
for retirement. I'm pretty sure he went to Hungary for the experience.

to be fair its kind of reasonable to assume that somebody teaching in europe probably isnt in it for the savings. i went to high school in prague, a fair few of my teachers had "retired" and moved into teaching from other careers - i think one was even an ex-senator or something.

all the young teachers were EU citizens, which i imagine gives you some sort of benefit lost to people who moved over from the states or wherever

Europe has advertised itself as a low pay destination.  Recruiters don't lie and tell you you'll make lots of money.  You know what it is before going over.  It is what it is.  Take it or leave it. 

If it's the ESL thing I can believe salaries aren't huge in Hungary, but I wouldn't come out state is a reliable fact seeing as I've never been there or researched jobs there.  Also, he may be working at an international school there.  My buddy went from Korea to Bangkok to Munich and is now doing quite well.  I was just having some fun with Hangook for not even allowing the possibility of a guy he doesn't know, in a situation he is completely unfamiliar with, to be concerned with how much money he's making. 

Huh?  I already said good luck to him.  Everyone knows if you teach in Europe the pay is shit.  So, if he already made his money and doesn't need it, he can teach there for kicks.  I wished him well whoever he is.  Not sure why you think I know him though.  Your argument still makes no sense. 

Europe has advertised itself as a low pay destination.  Recruiters don't lie and tell you you'll make lots of money.  You know what it is before going over.  It is what it is.  Take it or leave it.

I didn't read where the guy said he was an ESL teacher.  Like I said, I have a friend who made the jump from years of ESL here to an international school.  Great pay.  He was certified as a teacher back in Canada, but had never taught anything but hakwans in Korea before he made the leap. 

Free rent.

Great job (love teaching youth - no kindy, no adults).

Money more than needed.

2002 until now; hope to continue to be happy doing what I do until 2029 (Korean pension already locked & loaded anyways before this date).

The order is wonky but the facts are clear:

I came here 20 years ago, have loved several things about my life here, none more than the joy of teaching. Second, never doing so before the afternoon (as a morning person i've had two days in one; writing two books, walking countlessly, listening to music galore & podcasts; sleeping until noon after Koreans took me on the 3-stop tour often).

Times have changed, but it still is a joy to teach. Waking up HAPPY to teach, NOT "GETTING THROUGH A DAY"(er, unless one is sick), going to bed knowing one has helped improved the lives of some (students, and animals, cats specifically - but that is another story: if you are cynical then i'm part of the problem with my multiple weekly after midnight tuna can opened drop offs and mackarel throws (i huck them gladly ;).

Free rent.

Great job (love teaching youth - no kindy, no adults).

Money more than needed.

2002 until now; hope to continue to be happy doing what I do until 2029 (Korean pension already locked & loaded anyways before this date).

The order is wonky but the facts are clear:

I came here 20 years ago, have loved several things about my life here, none more than the joy of teaching. Second, never doing so before the afternoon (as a morning person i've had two days in one; writing two books, walking countlessly, listening to music galore & podcasts; sleeping until noon after Koreans took me on the 3-stop tour often).

Times have changed, but it still is a joy to teach. Waking up HAPPY to teach, NOT "GETTING THROUGH A DAY"(er, unless one is sick), going to bed knowing one has helped improved the lives of some (students, and animals, cats specifically - but that is another story: if you are cynical then i'm part of the problem with my multiple weekly after midnight tuna can opened drop offs and mackarel throws (i huck them gladly ;).

How do you deal with the lack of *****? Are you celibate?

You can always move to China.

You can always move to China.

I have known three teachers who exited Korea to go to China: 1. One bailed for an accounting clerk job in Illinois; 2. One jumped off a building in China; 3. One returned to South Korea within three months and swears off China.

May those who praise their Chinese experiences post here. Maybe it isn't as daconian as it sounds.

China's awesome. They have lots of cool stuff like walls, ping pong, Tsingtao beer and you can catch the Panda Express to the zoo in Chengdu.