| Is it possible for recent university graduates to get a | | | | company have sent to South Korea. "I'm the VIP |
| job where they can save over $1000 a month, get | | | | foreigner wherever I go." "We're not sure if one year is |
| flown around the world, and have their | | | | long enough to see everything." "We have learned the |
| accommodations furnished and paid for? | | | | Westerner mantra, Beware of Soju (Korean alcohol)" |
| If this seems too good to be true, you're right about | | | | and "We went to Japan and met a bunch of other |
| one thing: it is good, but, in fact, it also happens to be | | | | foreigners there." |
| true. | | | | Reading the comments, you can tell immediately that |
| Almost everyone has heard of teaching English as a | | | | the type of person suited for this opportunity is |
| second language overseas. But, most people don't | | | | adventurous, curious, and looking for a major change in |
| think that it applies to them. "Most people think that you | | | | their life. |
| have to be a certified teacher, or have some special | | | | It is not only money that is a motivator. Travel, |
| training, when in fact, university graduates of any major | | | | exposure to a new culture, and having a stand-out |
| are able to do this," says Jason Cresswell, co-owner | | | | resume are also reasons people go. |
| and CEO of Access South Korea Now (ASK Now | | | | "It's great for those just entering the full-time job |
| Inc.). | | | | market. They spend a year or two paying off student |
| According to Cresswell, who himself spent five years | | | | loans, return home, and stand out immediately from |
| teaching in South Korea, the main qualifications are that | | | | their competition when applying for a job," says |
| the applicant be a native English speaker, be a | | | | Cresswell. |
| graduate of university, and have a passport from a | | | | An employer faced with choosing between two |
| country where English is the first language (Canada, | | | | candidates with similar education would be very likely |
| the United States, U.K., Australia, New Zealand, or | | | | to favor a candidate with international work |
| South Africa). Beyond that, the person must be willing | | | | experience. It shows the person can adapt to change, |
| to commit to a year in another country. | | | | is independent, and can be trusted to finish what they |
| When asked why the schools are willing to pay such a | | | | start. |
| good salary to recent grads, and even pay for their | | | | What if you can't speak Korean? "No problem," says |
| flight and apartment, Cresswell responds, "English is the | | | | Cresswell. "My first year in Korea, I barely learned any |
| international language. Korean people are ambitious | | | | Korean. On the plane ride home after my first year, I |
| and aspire to travel, do business outside of their | | | | decided I would be going back and that I should learn |
| borders, and be part of the global community. In order | | | | some more of the language. I did. It made my |
| to accomplish these goals, they must be able to | | | | experience much better. Actually, it allowed me to |
| communicate in English." | | | | meet, and eventually marry my wife who didn't speak |
| So that explains the demand end of the equation, how | | | | English." |
| about supply? "Take a survey amongst your friends. | | | | Cresswell married his wife, So Young, a Korean model, |
| See how many of them who have graduated would | | | | after a courtship in Korean. "Learning the language |
| be willing to pack their bags and leave the comfort of | | | | worked out well for me," he understates. |
| their familiar surroundings in exchange for a place and | | | | When asked about the cost of using his company's |
| culture they know nothing about." | | | | services, Cresswell responds, "Free. And if you deal |
| While it's true that most people aren't able to pack up | | | | with a company that wants to charge you to find a |
| and leave for a year, there are those who are | | | | job, you should discontinue your relationship with them. |
| perfectly suited to this. ASK Now's website, features | | | | We are paid by the schools to find qualified, quality |
| comments from some of those whom Cresswell and | | | | candidates. |