I actually did teach in Korea as an ESL Teacher a number of years ago. I loved it and was paid well, especially for a newly minted graduate. The experience had many many highs and some deep lows, but I look back on it so positively. The personal growth was immense.

However, it wasn't so easy to get the gig for me specifically. I had initially set my heart on Japan. But, even at that time, competition was fierce. I wasn't accepted into any of the main programs that brings teachers abroad and would rarely hear back from direct inquiries. So I began exploring the Korea scene.

Interestingly, I discovered it was so much easier to get a job there... for others.
I'd see forum posts with everyone getting 5-10 job offers out of 10-20 resume submits. Me? I got 1 out of 30. And it wasn't because I wasn't qualified. I had all the right criteria on paper.

What I ended up realizing at that time when I finally took the one Gig that accepted me was that Korean parents expect to be taught by someone of Caucasian descent. And that's not what I am :) So there was an incredible bias which my bosses didn't believe in because they had actually hired someone of my ethnicity before, and I guess in stereotypical fashion realized we actually could do the job well. Ironic in many ways based on my chats with them at the time.

I didn't take it personally, just realized how unique of a challenge race can be when approaching some of these countries as a teacher.

Loved the article. Keep it up and good luck on the application process for next year!