~Kent Harrison

The article about teaching in an institute of higher education was interesting, but the tone seemed cynical (March, '99). I teach at Pusan University of Foreign Studies after two years at Pusan Info-tech College. Both jobs are easy street and pay decently enough. In neither position (fulltime instructor of English conversation classes) have I ever been assessed or evaluated. I can do whatever I want in the classroom. Admittedly, I have had classes of up to 100 students, which makes it virtually impossible to carry on conversation with students. In the large classes, it's good to be a combination Jerry Lewis/nutty professor, and just entertain the students, hoping their aural understanding will improve. In smaller classes (15-35), you can actually get some conversation teaching done, although in Korea, most students are reluctant to speak any English at all. Getting them to do so is like getting them to sit for a root canal. 
   The salary is decent, even after the economic crash. Of course, before the financial knockout, the pay was outrageously high. You can expect to make between $1700-2500 per month, depending on overtime hours and extra work. Most colleges dissuade you from doing privates, although it's possible if you maintain discretion. The office space is big and comfortable. Free access to Internet is excellent. The big drawback I continuously hear about is that some colleges want you to live on campus, in a dormitory with other students. This is unacceptable because it impinges on privacy to an extreme degree. If you take a university position, make sure you don't have to live on campus. 
   People ask me-why do you work in Korea? I have a credential to teach in California, K-12, where there's lots more money to be made. But there, administrators are a pain in the ass, always assessing, criticizing, harassing. Here, they leave you alone. Also, here there are no thugs, gun-toters, druggies and gangsters in class, unlike in the typical American high school. Instead, students bow in respect to you. They put you on cloud nine in terms of their recognition of your professional abilities and qualifications. 
   Overall, I rank teaching at college or university in Korea as A+...try and do it, if you can. The benefits far outweigh the negatives. You might find yourself here for quite sometime if you land a job in higher education. Also, the long vacations are still part of the package. I get five months off yearly. No questions asked. Best of all, salary increments are automatically placed in my bank account even when I'm on holiday. I'm in seventh heaven. I praise the gig; and thank my hosts for allowing me to kick back, enjoy life, and actually get some bona fide teaching done!

    ~Joseph Avallone

Seoul Sense
Hi! An expat in Seoul, I came across a copy of Exit at the Kimhae Airport the other day and greatly enjoyed it. Congrats on a great job! Thought I'd send a note, if you don't mind, with some info for:
   1) Cedar Blomberg. I get the impression that he (or she!)checks out Buddhist digs. Pass on the word that Tongdosa just opened (April 11) an elegant new Buddhist Art Museum on its grounds (that specializes in Buddhist temple paintings), and that it's really worth a visit if he's at all interested in covering it for an article.
   2) David Cormier concerning his Seen Leaving the Scene #1. Just a point of info for him. What he and most people don't know is that Korean monks are not vegetarian. There is nothing in the monks' precepts about vegetarianism, since the original monks, including the Buddha, were mendicants and ate whatever was given. However, Chinese monks, for example, are vegetarian because they take the Bodhisattva vows, which include vegetarianism, in addition to the monks vows. Korean monks don't take the Bodhisattva vows, probably because they sensed that MacDonald's might be coming to Korea! Which just goes to prove David's theory about jockeying to get away with whatever we can!
   Hope you don't mind passing these bits of info on. Thanks and keep up the good work. Hope that Robin has dried out by now! Aloha. 

     ~Brian Barry

A Letter from Our Founder
Congratulations on your strong continuation of a helpful paper! It is great to read. It brings good memories of my time in Pusan. I live in Seattle these days and am not sure when I will visit Korea. When I do, you can bet I will attempt to contact Expat/Exit staff. 
   I was impressed to find so many letters to the editor. I remember getting very few. I am (also) impressed by the number of subscribers. Does that include many Koreans? It is my understanding that the expat population has lowered in Pusan since the economic troubles. Is that still the case? 
   I am glad you are there working for the good of the community. Though it is a lot of work, I believe the paper will survive because it clearly is needed and people love the fact that it is helpful and not just a “bitch and moan” rag as such zines can tend to be. Keep the faith, and keep accentuating the positive (along with keeping a sense of humor). 
   Best of luck to you in your work. PEACE!
~Big John Malcolmson