So I'm currently in my first year of uni (doing an English Language degree) and teaching English in Asia is definitely something I'm looking at for after graduation. I'm torn between Korea and Japan atm, can anyone offer any suggestions as to why one might be better than the other/pros and cons, etc.?
Not an expert nor have I lived there myself and been asking that very question myself as I contemplate filling out an application for Japan. Heres my list/thoughts
Japan pros:
It's Japan, sounds silly but it does count for a lot depending on why, even if it stems from anime, video games, or martial arts.
Sounds like a nice place to get away for a year and grow alone/get to know yourself
Possibility of being in the middle of nowhere countryside are high
Multiple fronts of interest are here for me in terms of media and sociological interests
Not a very hard place to live
Fairly safe but crap happens of course, mean that in multiple ways crime, transportation ect.
Considered an "easy" job
Cons:
The countries bureaucracy causes more issues than it prevents, but they still don't realize or recognize it. Causes foreigners to pull their hair out.
Has not changed much. Problems from 20-30 years ago are still problems. Maybe not as many but still there. This slow to change pace can be annoying.
Have to pay for a surprising amount of stuff, even with the more cushy companies.
Jaded English community there/been there aka superiority complex. Those people seem to hate anyone with an actual interest in Japan, even if its simply from as before, anime ect. Same hate gets applied to people who have more serious reasons for wanting to go. Bunch of D-bags it seems haha.
Chance of being in the middle of nowhere is high, but once again can be a pro if your like me.
Chance of being in Tokyo is high, can be a pro. It was just announced that places like JET are looking to up the number of Tokyo placements from 10 to 500. This is of course likely because of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. That said, it means there will be a ton of people having to set up their own pad, in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Decreasing value of the Yen.
Decreasing pay scale overall, can still live fine if your not buying your imported orange juice from Florida every morning.
Lack of any real interest of the world outside Japan by a majority of the people/students, this varies of course but it can be an annoying chip on peoples shoulders by what I've read.
By the book society and work force that you will follow, even if its inefficient and outdated.
Terrible set up of roads, super small lanes, akward turning areas in intersections, a billion blind turns because roads/walls are built at intersections ect.
Very far behind technology wise, the tech capital connotation is from the late 80s early 90s. Over priced media, $60 DVDs or higher ect.
All that said it definitely can be great it seems. As we know most people only post about stuff like this in response to something negative not positive.
Korea Pros:
Not a complete steaming pile of a country anymore
Chances of being a city are high
Higher pay, more equal to what Japan was years ago
Depending on the company you get your apartment paid for, you just handle utitlies in most cases. some those are paid as well!
Interest in English seems a fair bit higher thanks to many of their celebs speaking English well. Very much a English=success mindset for many parents at the moment
Mostly modern society. Lots of up to date tech and what not in cities, in the country it can seem like the middle ages in a lot of spots. Seoul in particular spends a lot of money on making itself a futuristic city visually.
Level of English understanding is vastly higher than Japan for w/e reason
Lots to do outside of the job
Interest in selling the good sides of the country to foreigners no matter what it takes lol
Good road set up, very similar to America but newer in most cases.
Cheap public transportation, taxi's in particular are some of the cheapest in the world.
Insane internet speed
Seemingly a bit more friendly than Japan, some say more America like but thats a grain of salt comparison imo.
Bad:
Hit or miss reaction to foreigners. Some are welcomed openly some are pretty much told to go f themselves, not served at restaurants ect.
Visual society can seem extremely shallow. Unless you are trying to become some celebrity I don't really count this as an issue but some people do.
Despite the trend to be modern lots of old mindsets still permeate those who have never been outside the country.
Terrible drivers, lots of doing what ever they f they want.
Competitive schooling views for students can be draining for those not used to it.
Probably more but these are the ones I see most.
Like I said I don't live in either but looking online and talking to my cousin who did Korea a few years ago, this is what I see the most. In short it seems like Japan simply is stagnated in its systems which can be a problem, Korea is trying to be modern but their might be issues faced as well. These are just the considerations I got going in my mind.
Since its your first year of Uni you got time to decide and think on it more. Just keep an eye on both and weigh your options when the time comes.
