36/1 & 2 Which Rollercoaster Are You On?

I came home to the phone ringing and had a long conversation. It's interesting how different one teacher's experience here can be from the next.
I know at least two teachers who teach 3 or 4 hours a day for more than W2 million (R11 000), and have a neat setup. The guy I spoke to travels somewhere every weekend, and will probably stay in Korea for a few more years (he's already been here for more than 4 years).

I think it makes a big difference if you have a girlfriend here. Someone to share the strange life here with.
And the school you're working at makes a big difference too. There are some Hellholes, and some Slavedrivers, and then every now and then there are Sweet Spots.
Some of it is the luck of the draw, and some of it is taking the time to get lucky.

I personally think my sell by date in Korea expired quite a while ago. I haven't been really happy since I arrived back in the country at the end of March. That may be more the fault of the individual (me) than the country. But it may also be incompatibility.
Korea's strengths are that it is easy to find work, and people are generally friendly. Another one is the internet. It's got possibly the best broadbrand infrastructure in the world. You can also get around without a car very easily.
It's drawbacks are that it is a very very polluted country, and overcrowded. If you're someone like me that needs quiet open spaces for training then these drawbacks become really important. You might think these are easily remedied. Go and work away from the big city? The smoke basically hangs over the whole country. And being the fifth most densely populated country, you're not likely to find too many quiet spots. But sometimes you do.

Probably most people who come here have a brilliant first few months, before the Rollercoaster ride begins. The Rollercoaster is basically a pattern of highs and lows that everyone goes through. Then there is the gnawing alienation that comes from living among a very different culture who will never really understand you, and vice versa. That may sound harsh, but it is a wise expat who can remember that he or she will never be Korean or be fully understood, or integrated into the society. It's more of a contract based on being different, but useful. In some ways it can be a positive feeling (of being special) but it is often the frustration that creeps up on you, especially on expats who have been here beyond 3 years.

So which Rollercoaster are you on? I need to get off this one soon.