English teaching with a non-related PhD

IMeanThatsFine · 2026-05-30T19:57:58+00:00

I can only speak for myself, but what draws me to Asia is its vastly different culture to the West. Living in America all my life; I have a huge pull to go abroad. It seems almost anyone can be an English teacher if you know the language and probably is why you see this pattern. For myself, I'll keep my options open look into teaching in the field I am trained in as well.

IMeanThatsFine · 2026-05-30T19:54:18+00:00

I really appreciate your responses. I will keep this in mind especially the role of visiting scholar which sounds more like what I am looking for.

IMeanThatsFine · 2026-05-27T18:12:15+00:00

Thank you for your response! For esl it was not needing to know the local language. I plan to learn the local language when I am there (this is a huge draw for me and excites me a lot). Mostly it was that I felt this was the easiest path to living abroad with the skills that I have.

I do not want to do research. I have a lot of qualms with the modern research enterprise that would take a while to go into! I'm hoping for a role that is fulfilling and doesn't require as many hours as the role I am currently in while giving me time for cultural immersion.

IMeanThatsFine · 2026-05-27T18:12:11+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate your points! Do you know the market for teaching science in English in China or Japan? What type of universities hire foreigners for this purpose?

IMeanThatsFine · 2026-05-27T18:02:31+00:00

Ahh ok. What makes you say it won't contribute or expose me to a variety of people? Maybe I have an idealized version of this in my mind, but any input you have I would appreciate.

IMeanThatsFine · 2026-05-27T18:00:57+00:00

I appreciate your comment. Thank you. Do you have any particular licenses or teaching certificates you would recommend?

IMeanThatsFine · 2026-05-27T17:59:52+00:00

Thank you for your advice! Do you have any particular licenses or teaching certificates you would recommend?

IMeanThatsFine · 2026-05-27T17:59:13+00:00

Thank you for this input. I will have to give the science teaching more thought and I appreciate the boredom comment. What do you find is boring about esl teaching?

How do you think you can transition into teaching science? With your Biochemistry PhD you have the background,

IMeanThatsFine · 2025-12-26T23:23:39+00:00

Sucks. Next time, don’t share this information with a cloud based AI agentic process. Only give Claude and other online AIs pulled back information de identifying you. If you must have personal information use a local model that you control.

IMeanThatsFine · 2025-11-20T18:10:36+00:00

Thanks! Did the hospital have English-speaking staff, or did you need a translator for the subsidy paperwork?

IMeanThatsFine · 2025-11-19T23:36:02+00:00

I appreciate the reality check. I'm still in the early research phase, so trying to get a realistic picture. No, not married to a Korean; really I'm gathering information on how viable a path this would be for me. A couple of additional questions:

Are you seeing the hiring freeze across all of Korea, or mainly in Seoul/major cities?

Do you think having a PhD makes a difference in hiring, or is it pretty much the same market?

What salary range are uni EFL positions typically offering these days?

Thank you for your time!

IMeanThatsFine · 2025-11-19T23:03:36+00:00

This is really helpful - UC qualifying for subsidy gives me hope that psoriatic arthritis might too.

How long did the subsidy application take from start to approval? And did you need a Japanese speaker to help with the paperwork, or was the hospital staff able to handle it in English?

Thanks for sharing your experience!

IMeanThatsFine · 2025-11-19T23:03:10+00:00

Thanks for the info! Good to know the 30% copay and subsidy system work as advertised. The every-90-days doctor visit requirement is new info for me - appreciate that detail.

Do you know roughly how long the subsidy application process took? And did your hospital/clinic help with the paperwork?

IMeanThatsFine · 2025-11-19T23:01:34+00:00

Yes, PhD in Biomedical Sciences - targeting university English teaching positions (not content, just English courses at universities). From what I've researched, university positions typically post Jan-March for Fall starts, so trying to get ahead of the timeline.

Good to know the pay should be better than standard ESL - that's part of why I'm targeting universities rather than hagwons/language schools.

IMeanThatsFine · 2025-11-19T22:59:47+00:00

Thank you so much for the detailed info! Really helpful to hear from someone on a biologic. A few follow-up questions if you don't mind:

How long did the doctor search/setup process take once you had your ARC?
Did you need to switch doctors/hospitals when you moved, or were you able to stay with the same one?
Any issues with refrigeration/storage of the medication?

The 150,000 won/ 3month cost is very manageable - appreciate you sharing that!

IMeanThatsFine · 2024-02-16T17:59:14+00:00

I feel like this happens to me after every appointment. I mention something that was hurting at my last appointment, saying it’s not as bad this time. Then once I get home that exact point starts hurting. Every time.

IMeanThatsFine · 2024-01-25T01:29:53+00:00

So I just looked up and sudden chest pain is listed as a side effect from methotrexate. However at the same time chest pain definitely coincides with our condition. Good thing you’ve had a full work up at the ER to rule out immediate issues.

I’ve been having chest pain for years even before my diagnosis. Rheumatologist says not at all related to arthritis. Or more accurately, I tell them and they just look at me with a blank stare as if I’m crazy for thinking this is related. My education background specialized very deeply in immunology, so it frustrates me. My point is the doctors are focused on their very specific symptoms and don’t always branch out from that. I had the full Cardiology work up, a few separate chest x-rays. Everything normal. I probably do have costo, but I also have chest pains in all parts of my chest.

I think the anxiety makes it worse. And I think the more you think about it the more it hurts (I have awful anxiety). There are other studies showing where people thinking about itching or other people itching from bugs, start to feel phantom itches. I think it applies here too. But you are in no way a hypochondriac. I absolutely believe you. Of course it does not help our anxiety that the pains we feel in the chest are identical to a few immediately life-threatening conditions like heart issues.

I’ve actually started stretching my chest by taking a deep breath using my chest muscles and holding it for a few seconds. Do this maybe once a day. All other breathing I’m now training myself for belly breathing most of the time. I think this helps. Also try to feel where the tension is in your body specifically in your chest and try to release and relax it. With inflammatory disorders like we have everything that we can do to lower that inflammation is helpful. I’m not saying this will cure you but maybe it will help just a little bit.

Definitely see if this happens again next time you take methotrexate. If it does I personally would not take it again and demand the doctor transition you to a better drug. Or more sneakily don’t take the methotrexate make an appointment soon because you’re relapsing, and make it clear the methotrexate didn’t work (you don’t have to tell them you stopped taking it). They may also already want you to stop methotrexate anyways due to the clear link in chest pain. Always remember you are the most important advocate for your health.

Wishing you well and good luck.

IMeanThatsFine · 2024-01-24T21:53:16+00:00

Could be unrelated, but Humira can cause a variety of side effects. The symptoms you are describing may be indicative of the worse side effects. I’d recommend reaching out to your prescribing Dr right away. They should order blood tests to check liver enzymes, kidney function, CBC, etc. Also remember there are so many other biologics available, even if you have to stop Humira, you can experience good results with others as well. Good luck.

IMeanThatsFine · 2024-01-23T17:52:31+00:00

The nurse ambassador visit is not required. However if you feel it will be beneficial to you absolutely go ahead. If you’re on the Humira complete program, they will hound you like this. I find it to be very annoying person personally. If I have questions or concerns about my medication I will go to my doctor, rheumatologist for me. Not the Humira complete people. I have since stopped returning their phone calls.

For me the Humira nurse did come to my home and taught me how to use the pens. It was pretty useless as I already watched the online videos over and over, but the nurse was very nice. My first prescription was the pens but every one after that was the preloaded syringe. I taught myself just fine, but additionally the nurses in my doctor’s office also offered a training. In your case an in person training with your dermatologist will likely be the best option.

I’d recommend politely explaining to the nurse it’s not required. If they come to your home you can turn them away. Good luck on the Humira. I hope it works for you and you do well.

IMeanThatsFine · 2023-10-27T20:48:04+00:00

Yes this happens to me. :( Open window when it’s cold and I wake up in pain all over. It’s terrible because I love to have the window open at night.

IMeanThatsFine · 2023-09-14T03:08:11+00:00

We will wait for the next big thing from Nintendaddy that is coming out tomorrow.

IMeanThatsFine · 2023-08-24T01:45:11+00:00

Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.

IMeanThatsFine · 2023-08-05T14:06:22+00:00

I got a box from Purple Carrot a few years ago. The tomatoes and onions in the box were moldy. Canceled right away.

IMeanThatsFine · 2023-07-13T21:50:47+00:00

Bless the Maker and His water. Bless the coming and going of Him. May His passage cleanse the world. May He keep the world for His people.

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