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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Odyssey
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
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 Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:53 pm Post subject: Which job sounds better? |
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Hi everyone! So I've been a lurker here for a while...and now I have a question to finally post.
Right now I am torn between 2 jobs.
1- Is in Seoul, fully furnished apartment, 2.2 million, teach kindergarten and elementary. Start at 10, done at 7, with breaks in between. Works out to about 30 hours a week. Airfare is paid for. 2 weeks vacation.
2- Is in Chuncheon, partly furnished aparment, 1.9 million, conversation classes with adults. Work 4-8pm 4 days a week. Airfare is not paid for. 4 weeks paid vacation.
Reasons to why I would take the job in Seoul:
Fully furnished apartment, paid airfare, and because its in Seoul. I would like to be around at least some foreigners and Seoul is convenient for many things.
Reasons as to why I wouldn't take the job in Seoul:
Hours are longer compared to the other job. I think would rather teach adults than kids. Vacation is only 2 weeks.
Reasons as to why I would take the job in Chuncheon:
Hours are short, vacation is 4 weeks, classes with adults. Plus I like outdoorsy things and may get more chance for these than compared to living in Seoul.
Reasons as to why I woudn't take the job in the Chuncheon:
Airfare not paid for, only partly furnished apartment, and its not in Seoul. Haha, I know one of my reasons for taking this job is that its not in Seoul, but I am also afraid of going to a town where there are no other foreigners and may not be near as convenient as Seoul. I am all about getting immersed into the culture and everything like that....but I would like to have a few foreigners around to have as friends.
So I think that is about it. I know that ultimately it's my decision and I will have to decide for myself, but I thought that a few of you may have some more insight as to what it would really be like.
Thanks in advance! |
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bacasper
Joined: 26 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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How big of a place is Chuncheon, and how far is it from Seoul (or Busan)?
At least with option #2, you could get a second job. |
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Odyssey
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Chuncheon is about 250,000 people I think and about 2 hours away from Seoul. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: Which job sounds better? |
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| Odyssey wrote: |
Hi everyone! So I've been a lurker here for a while...and now I have a question to finally post.
Right now I am torn between 2 jobs.
1- Is in Seoul, fully furnished apartment, 2.2 million, teach kindergarten and elementary. Start at 10, done at 7, with breaks in between. Works out to about 30 hours a week. Airfare is paid for. 2 weeks vacation.
2- Is in Chuncheon, partly furnished aparment, 1.9 million, conversation classes with adults. Work 4-8pm 4 days a week. Airfare is not paid for. 4 weeks paid vacation.
Reasons to why I would take the job in Seoul:
Fully furnished apartment, paid airfare, and because its in Seoul. I would like to be around at least some foreigners and Seoul is convenient for many things.
Reasons as to why I wouldn't take the job in Seoul:
Hours are longer compared to the other job. I think would rather teach adults than kids. Vacation is only 2 weeks.
Reasons as to why I would take the job in Chuncheon:
Hours are short, vacation is 4 weeks, classes with adults. Plus I like outdoorsy things and may get more chance for these than compared to living in Seoul.
Reasons as to why I woudn't take the job in the Chuncheon:
Airfare not paid for, only partly furnished apartment, and its not in Seoul. Haha, I know one of my reasons for taking this job is that its not in Seoul, but I am also afraid of going to a town where there are no other foreigners and may not be near as convenient as Seoul. I am all about getting immersed into the culture and everything like that....but I would like to have a few foreigners around to have as friends.
So I think that is about it. I know that ultimately it's my decision and I will have to decide for myself, but I thought that a few of you may have some more insight as to what it would really be like.
Thanks in advance! |
How bout some real advice??
First, read the contracts CLOSELY. If there are not too many red flags in the contracts...
THEN
Talk to MORE THAN ONE of the foreign staff and ask POINTED AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS (*when the boss is NOT listening over their shoulder).
-What are the hours? (start time / stop time / breaks).
-How many classes per day, week, month? NOT hour many hours per month. 30 classroom hours can mean anything from 1350 -1800 minutes per week standing in front of the class. The difference can be up to 7.5 HOURS in front of the class EACH WEEK.
-Do they ALWAYS pay on time?
-Do they pay at the end of your month or do they have a hold back period (5-10 days after your month end) to prevent runners? (no=red flag 1)
-Do they really pay overtime or avoid it with creative book keeping?
-Do you get credit for classes on the national holidays or do you get the day off but still have to work your 120 hours before you get overtime? (no=red flag 2)
-Do they have national medical (with the little booklet)? (no=red flag 3)
-Do they pay into pension? (no=red flag 4)
-What about the holidays? 10 or more WORKING days? (legal requirement here) (no=red flag 5)
-When and how do you get your holidays?
-What extra stuff do you really have to do - mentioned or not in the contract.
-Then consider the quality of life issues - things that are important to you that aren't mentioned here (housing, furnishings, THE BATHROOM, access to recreational facilities, shopping, banking).
Do they take additional deposits in addition to the delay in payday? (yes=red flag 6)
ONLY THEN can you compare apples and apples.
You may want to switch to plan "C".
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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Chuncheon is North of Seoul, and has a Franciscan Priory there, if you are interested.
May be you should negotiate with the second job and see if they are willing to pay for a one way airfare coming into the country - if they are, then I'd personally take the second job. 4 hours is a lot different from 9, even if there are breaks in between those 9 hours. |
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Pak Yu Man
Joined: 02 Jun 2005
Location: The Ida galaxy
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| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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Ask the 2nd job for more. They;ll cave.
Then get a 2nd job or you could study Korean/martial arts...whatever. |
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Odyssey
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:03 am Post subject: |
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Hey,
Just wanted to say thanks for the replies and PM's! Much appreciated! |
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