Korean Job Discussion Forums

[keseki]

hey folks...wondering if you can give me some opinions here.

I started my third year in korea about a month ago. I moved to a new city and I work for a pretty large hagwon chain. So far, things have been fabulous. My school has set me up nicely and treated me really well.

There is one thing though. I live in an officetel that has 2 towers with a little atrium in the middle. My window looks out into the adjacent tower. I can see everything that goes on in other peoples rooms. For this reason, I never open my curtains. There is also a glass roof in the middle that connects the two towers.

I dont get sunlight into my room and I never know how the weather is outside. I kind of feel like im living in a basement apartment with no windows. I like to have my curtains open during the day like any normal human being, but in this new place I cant do that.

I've just now sent an email to the HR people at my school asking if there are any other places in my building available that have a window to the outside world.

Do you think it was wrong of me to do that? I dont want to seem ungrateful or unappreciative. So far there have been no faults or negatives about my work...but I dont know if I can last a year without a proper outside facing window. I even offered to chip in if another suite in my building is more expensive.

I dunno...opinions??

[Bramble]

I can sympathize, but it really doesn't sound like a battle worth fighting, especially if you live in an expensive area and the place is decent in every other way. I doubt many hagwons would be that accommodating, especially if they've already signed a contract and put up key money. Then again, maybe if you were willing to pay the real estate agency's penalty for leaving early ...

Really, I don't know. Let us know what happens, though.

[Sophocles]

If it's a large hogwan and they constantly have teachers coming and going, maybe another room will open up when someone leaves and you could take it while their replacement takes yours. I've known it to happen at my last job. It's worth asking but don't expect much.

[GwangjuNewsEditor]

Home Plus, E-mart and Lotte Mart all have something that is similiar to contact paper but made of translucent plastic that was probably designed for just these types of situations. You can place it on your windows for the time being to let in light, and leave a few 1 or 2 inch lines to be able to peer out at eye level. If you are on the top floor you could probably leave the windows bare from shoulder up in most cases. It isn't the best solution, but it's one that's easier to live with if moving apartments isn't an option.

[aldershot]

my first gig in korea, my apartment had no windows. it was a box. i turned very pallid from that place.

my 2nd, the apartment had a window not 2 feet from a wall. i began to glow in the dark.

now i'm in a really decent place; windows, balconies, sunlight... considering you have optional window-usage, you're doing all right.

[Gamecock]

Or you could just quit walking around naked in your apartment.

[blaseblasphemener]

What about tinting the windows? You can get the peel-and-apply kind, so that you can see out, but people can't see in. Every other car seems to have it here, so don't think it would be too hard to have it done. They would probably send someone over to apply it for you, free of charge.

[kermo]