Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Samantha]

I was informed yesterday that the boss is planning an overnight camping trip with the middle school kids at the end of May. It would be her, the Korean teachers (4), all the middle school kids (approximately 40 kids ages 12-16) and myself if I chose to go (I'm the only native teacher).

My question for the board is what exactly happens on these camping trips? I mean they are going overnight to somewhere in Seoul. I doubt they are going to have a camping trip in the same sense of an American camping trip- tents, campfires, fishing, boating, hiking, swimming. It's Seoul, I don't know of any place there where these activities can be done.

So has anyone here gone on a "camping trip"? The boss said I'm not required to go, and if I don't go I get a four-day weekend. I'm tempted not to go but I'm curious as well about what actually happens on these trips.

Any ideas? Stories?

[ChuckECheese]

If I were you, I would take the 4 days off rather than going on a school camping trip especially with all the unknowns...

That's just me though.

[Bibbitybop]

[poet13]

My school is doing it next week. Years 1 and 2, wed-fri. Year 3 on thurs. I have one 3rd year class on Wednesday. The school is closed on Thursday (No students). I did offer to go on the year 3 trip, but they said it wasn't necessary. I have no classes on Friday, and I have permission to take the day off. Road trip!!!!

[Samantha]

I work at a hagwon and the boss just announced this. She said that I don't have to go and can take it as a 4 day vacation, which is what I think I am going to do. I was curious if anyone had gone on these trips and what it was like. I'm going to try and get her to give me more information. So far, all she's managed to tell me is "we'll be camping" which obviously doesn't tell me a whole lot

Thanks for the responses. Any stories?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

By 'boss' do you mean hagwon director? If the hagwon has been good to you, I'd go; if it hasn't, don't go. It's that simple. I'm sure it will be fun and at a certain stage of the evening it should involve the teachers breaking out the booze. Also, if you're at a hagwan where kids are constantly arriving and departing and you never get to see them for more than an hour or two at a time it will be a chance to see them over the course of a day or two. I rather prefer seeing kids at various times of the day instead of MWF from 5.30-6.50PM or whatever the case may be.

The trip will probably include a hike, a visit to some particular 'famous' site that most Koreans may not have heard of, a big photo-op, and constant snacking and handing out of food. What have you got to lose? However, if they haven't been nice to you, don't go; the trip is ultimately a business investment.

[pest2]

My school is going hiking to the top of Seorak-san. I volunteered to go because it sounds like fun. I heard that as an FT, all you do is talk to some of the kids and hike and enjoy the scenery. The KTs have to be more like parents/supervisors, though... Plus, this trip is not an overnighter... Id be more hesitant to do it if it were longer.

[rawiri]

Sounds like fun. I go on those trips with the kids whenever asked, it's the drinking parties with the teachers i turn down.

[ilovebdt]

My kids have just gone off for three days.
It's too quiet. I would have loved to have gone with them, but no one asked me.

ilovebdt

[Samantha]

Update

Turns out the boss changed her mind, the trip is now going to be on the 11th and I get to run the school for the night. On M-W-F the evening classes are 1 of 6th graders (11-12 year olds) and 2 of middle school (13-16 year olds). The boss and the Korean teachers are going to take the older classes for the overnight trip and leave me with the younger class for the 1.5 hour class period that is normally scheduled. Plus I have to lock up and secure the school.

The good thing is I still get my 4-day weekend at the end of the month.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[spliff]

Yeah, Sam ...you be movin up in the world. I understand locking the door but what does "securing the school" entail? Will you set up a perimeter w/ claymores or movement sensors and perhaps a little ambush at the front gate... don't forget to field strip your Let's Go books and carry extra cassette clips..

[ChuckECheese]

Why don't you throw a big party at your hagwon. Invite all of us over. We'll supply our own drinks.

[Samantha]

[wylies99]

Original choice was between working for four days and having a buttload of responsibility, OR being off for four days. My choice- BEING OFF.