Job Discussion Forums

[canadiantraveller9]

Hello friends,

My JET application is in the mail and I am hoping to hear back from them soon!

I am also applying for EPIK Fall 2015 intake in February.

My question for you guys is: if I get into both, should I go to Korea with EPIK or to Japan with JET?

Thanks!

[psychedelicacy]

I worked for EPIK for a year (2008-9), which is a long time ago, obviously, but my experience may still be relevant. I was mostly dissatisfied. Had I not lived in Seoul for three years previously, I shudder to think how I would've coped. My accommodation was tiny and poor quality. I also worked at two schools - one literally round the corner from my 'apartment' and the other on the other side of the city (over an hour away). The latter, when I first arrived, was in temporary premises while the main one was refurbished. It wasn't that bad, but at first a bit of a shock and technology non-existent. As if that wasn't enough fun, when I first arrived, the latter of the two schools were not even expecting me. It was rather uncomfortable. Didn't like that school at all. By Korean standards (Koreans are usually very friendly people), they were rather inhospitable. Fortunately, I only worked there two days per week. The other (my main) school was much better. Night and day difference.

Perhaps the biggest problem with EPIK is that it does not cover Seoul. The best bits of Korea are Seoul, the countryside and Busan in that order. Anything else in between - Gwangju etc. (where I was) - is not particularly interesting, although I'm fond of Korea in general.

Given the choice between EPIK and JET, I would go with JET, personally, although I know nothing about it, other than that the application process looks like a nightmare.

Beware that both EPIK and JET are entry-level jobs. If that's what you want, then great, but this is not stimulating work.

[psychedelicacy]

Oops, forgot to mention a truly massive benefit of my year at EPIK: I got both the Winter and Summer vacations off! But I bet you any money that couldn't happen now.

[nomad soul]