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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Jane the Best
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Bundang
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 Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject: Any useful info |
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Hi,
I am moving to Korea in two weeks and as you probably all remember, I am feeling a little overwhelmed. I have just a few questions.
1. Should I insure my personal belongings ie. laptop, ipod, MD player etc
2. Is it normal practise to get paid after the first month?
3. Will my school set up a bank account for me?
4. Is it normal to have TV and DVD player in a "Furnished Apartment"
I know these are terribly boring questions to ask, but if you have sec, you may help me to calm down those butterflies in my stomach just a little
Thanks
Jane |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: Any useful info |
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| Jane the Best wrote: |
| Is it normal practise to get paid after the first month? |
Of course. Sooner if you really need it at a typical hagwon.
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| 3. Will my school set up a bank account for me? |
You don't need them to hold your hand. Seriously. Newbies are limited more by their fears than the reality. Ask your director or a co-teacher you meet to go with you if you like. Go to KB Bank, they often have English service.
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| 4. Is it normal to have TV and DVD player in a "Furnished Apartment" |
T.V., yes. DVD sometimes but they are supercheap, like 50-100 bucks. No prob.
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help me to calm down those butterflies in my stomach just a little
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Jane, you are projecting a very natural stress that comes with doing something new in a new place. Breathe! And tell yourself it'll be alright because it will be easier and less scary than it always seems.
An exciting time!
Bring yourself some big bath towels and tons of photos from home.
Enjoy!  |
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Samantha
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: Any useful info |
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| Jane the Best wrote: |
Hi,
I am moving to Korea in two weeks and as you probably all remember, I am feeling a little overwhelmed. I have just a few questions. |
| Quote: |
| 1. Should I insure my personal belongings ie. laptop, ipod, MD player etc |
Do you mean on the plane or in general while you are here? Are you having them shipped to you?
| Quote: |
| 2. Is it normal practise to get paid after the first month? |
All hagwons (private language schools) pay between the 5th and the 10th. You have to give the school a chance to get the monthly tuition from the students. At least this is what I have seen and dealt with. Im not sure about public schools and universities someone else will have to speak for them.
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| 3. Will my school set up a bank account for me? |
They can help you but you have to go to the bank so you can sign the application form, your bank book, and choose the pin number and the six digit security number. If you don't feel comfortable either finding the person at the bank who speaks halfway decent English or working with pidgin English on your own then ask someone from your school (another teacher or the boss) to go with you. It is relatively easy to do on your own, just speak slowly and have patience.
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| 4. Is it normal to have TV and DVD player in a "Furnished Apartment" |
A TV, bed (sometimes), washing machine, wardrobe, refrigerator, and two burner gas stove is usually the max for a furnished apartment. A DVD/VCR, phone, cable, dresser, table and anything else may be provided but more than likely if you want you buy it.
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I know these are terribly boring questions to ask, but if you have sec, you may help me to calm down those butterflies in my stomach just a little
Thanks
Jane |
Also the other piece of advice is read the FAQ thread as much as you can there are a lot of good sticky threads there  |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:02 pm Post subject: Re: Any useful info |
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| Samantha wrote: |
All hagwons (private language schools) pay between the 5th and the 10th. |
Not true. Many might but the hagwons I've worked at have made the payment date contingent on the hiring date (started on 25th so get paid on the 25th, was hired on the 18th, so get paid on the 18th) and I know other hagwons that are likewise, even know a couple with an end-of-month policy. No generalities apply.
If you need a pay advance you could get it at a hagwon. Bring at least 500,000 won and be cheap, or a million won and don't worry about it. As a new teacher your needs will be well monitored and filled if you even hint at it, at least at many places it's like that, certainly don't be timid about asking for what you need, especially after a week or two of teaching.
Remember in every stressful difficult situation in Korea,.... smile! There will be bumps in the road but the road is safe. |
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Samantha
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:13 pm Post subject: Re: Any useful info |
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| VanIslander wrote: |
| Samantha wrote: |
All hagwons (private language schools) pay between the 5th and the 10th. |
Not true. Many might but the hagwons I've worked at have made the payment date contingent on the hiring date (started on 25th so get paid on the 25th, was hired on the 18th, so get paid on the 18th) and I know other hagwons that are likewise, even know a couple with an end-of-month policy. No generalities apply.
If you need a pay advance you could get it at a hagwon. Bring at least 500,000 won and be cheap, or a million won and don't worry about it. As a new teacher your needs will be well monitored and filled if you even hint at it, at least at many places it's like that, certainly don't be timid about asking for what you need, especially after a week or two of teaching.
Remember in every stressful difficult situation in Korea,.... smile! There will be bumps in the road but the road is safe. |
Ok thanks VanIslander, I wasn't sure I thought it was a general first of the month (or close to it). I hadn't heard about the pay on hire date, god that would suck. I wasn't hired until like the 20th or 25th of the month.  |
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venus
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Location: Near Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject: Re: Any useful info |
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| Jane the Best wrote: |
Hi,
I am moving to Korea in two weeks and as you probably all remember, I am feeling a little overwhelmed. I have just a few questions.
1. Should I insure my personal belongings ie. laptop, ipod, MD player etc
2. Is it normal practise to get paid after the first month?
3. Will my school set up a bank account for me?
4. Is it normal to have TV and DVD player in a "Furnished Apartment"
I know these are terribly boring questions to ask, but if you have sec, you may help me to calm down those butterflies in my stomach just a little
Thanks
Jane |
1. It's common sense to insure your personal belongings when you travel. The price of a one year policy is often cheaper than having to replace an item which gets lost / broken / stolen. Trust me, I didn't bother, now I wish I had. 
2. I'd say the majority of teachers (has always been my experience in the 5 jobs I've had) do get paid within the first four weeks. A majority of employers will give you an advance on your salary also, one of mine did and one offered but I didn't need it in the end.
3. You can set up your own bank account with your registration card and passport. Most schools will help you out if you feel daunted, like going to the bank with you.
4. Again in my experience every 'furnished' apt I have had has had a tv provided. My current apt didn't, but they gave me the money to buy one. I think a dvd player would be seen as something you should buy yourself, which can be done for as little as 80,000 at technomart. If there is no tv and you ask assertively and politely, there could be a good chance they will put up the cash or part of the cash for a cheapie...
ps. if you don't have cable tv hooked up, ask your school to arrange it. you'll have to pay, but it will be worth it in those first few months... I payed a paltry sum for installation and I now pay only the eqv of $8 a month and have some pretty good movie stations etc...
Good luck
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