Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kambeix]

Good to read some possitive comments!

I think the salary will be between 3.2 and 3.7, but we still don't know all the details (waiting for contract and plane tickets). Also, we don't know if the advertised salary is before legal discounts or after legal discounts (in our country, published salary is always after discounts).

About the housing allowance, is it standard practice that you can choose between dorms/housing OR allowance, or if you choose to find your own apartment you might not receive allowance?

again, thanks for the info!

[seansmith]

After seeing this thread go on for years, with many posters equating HUFS with the unigwon (the language institute on campus) I have to weigh in. I worked for HUFS at both the English Education Department and the English Department. It was a great gig. If you work for one of the university departments it is completely separate in salary, conditions, level of respect, and quality of administration from the unigwon. I had several friends working at the unigwon and yes, their lives were miserable. I believe every awful anecdote about the unigwon on this thread.

However, if anyone has a chance at a university departmental position whether it be English Education, Spanish, German, or whatever, seriously consider it. I know conditions have changed since I left but they are still competitive with some of the better contracts out there. The only department to be avoided is the HUFS cyber learning program - can't remember the actual name - as their salary and conditions are not great and are more hogwan-like.

[kambeix]

Thanks Sean!

One more question... we are still waiting for the contract/invitation letter and plane tickets... how long are we expected to wait? I mean, we should be flying by Aug. 15-20, 1 month! and we have to leave the apartment, sell stuff, close accounts etc...

[seansmith]

I was hired November 10th for a March 1st start - the Spring semester. I was also in Seoul at the time which made things easier. Based on that timeline you should be getting your tickets and contract soon. You're a late hire, actually. You may want to email the person hiring you to see what's going on.

[Chaucer]

I will second (or third) the positive comments about HUFS. Don't know about the Seoul housing but the Yongin campus housing, especially for married couples, is three bedroom apartments in a new all-instructor building on campus. Possibly the best university gig in Korea, due to decent salary (3.2 is accurate to start--people working or with PhDs get 3.7 and up), that included housing, respect, no nonsense admin, etc.

[Smithington]

[kambeix]

Well... so the story ends like this:

After almost 2 months of being accepted, and afterwards confirmed por a job position at HUFS, my wife got an e-mail saying that the process has been cancelled for motives outside of the department.

Other than having to modify all of our schedule regarding jobs, plans, etc... and the big dissapointment, I find this a highly irresponsible way of treating people.

The thing that irritates me the most is that they didn't answer the emails and had us waiting for 3 weeks for this. We even called and all we got was "ok...ok... please send an email"

Well, That was our experience, sorry for the grammar/spelling my english might not be the best.

[cheolsu]

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for sharing. I hope your wife finds a better job with a better school.

[backtotheROK]

'Nothing good (save a bit of extra income) can come from being associated with that place.'

therein lies the reason.

[seansmith]

Kambiex, I'm really sorry to hear that. Again, keeping in mind that HUFS and the language institute are separate bodies, what happened to you and your wife is what sometimes happens when dealing with Korean institutions. They often don't think or plan in the middle or long term, with poor communication and decision making between different levels of the institution.

I was told that I was hired at HUFS, but then was told that I had to wait a few days for the university budget committee to approve the funds for my salary. Well, then why not wait until the budget committee approves my salary before contacting me? Anyway, it was a tense few days before I got the final confirmation. But you and your wife waiting 2 months is much more inconsiderate and unprofessional behavior. Good luck with future job searches.

[Scorpion]

[Smithington]

They be hiring.

According to a friend (who frequents a pub across the street from HUFS) apparently the foreign language center be lookin' for some new recruits. Get that resume in there now.

[Scorpion]

bippity boppity bump.

Just saw that this lovely place was being discussed on another thread. Thought I'd bring this thread to their attention.

Beware the evil that is the flttc at HUFS.

[Smithington]

Since Scorpion seems to have gone AWOL it's down to me to bump this thread again. I just saw over at worknplay that HUFS has opened another FLTTC in Seoul. As it likely has not developed a reputation yet, prospective teachers will be unlikely to talk to current or former teachers. Tread carefully. Be sure to ask what relationship the place has to the FLTTC in Dongdaemun. And don't be afraid to mention this thread.

Pay starts from as low as 2.2 per month.

Some desperate fool will eventually take it, I suppose.

http://www.worknplay.co.kr/korea-jobs/205205/full-time-hankuk-university-language-institute-chungna

[GJoeM]

I have only heard bad reports about HUFS, at all branches -- what is it that goes on there that makes it so notoriously terrible?