Korean Job Discussion Forums

alinkorea · Joined: 02 May 2005

This will be my 3rd year in the same public school. Never had a gift for Chusok. To others in public schools, have you previously received Chusok gifts?

JiH · Joined: 01 Sep 2007

Well,

To be honest in the eyes of your co-workers, you are not a real "teacher teacher" as I like to call it. So things like Chusok gifts and the "bonus" money aren't applicable to you.

At the same time, you don't have the same responsibilities nor are you required to stay late just for the sake of staying late because your boss is like a lot of the Korean teachers.

My friend and I discussed it and while it's very irritating. It's not something likely to change.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I've just been through a tense meeting with my boss because of this. My public/private high school has given the Korean teachers a cash gift for Chuseok but nothing to foreigners. My boss is saying that it's because of the public school pay system. Basically, in a convulated way, the Chuseok bonus is part of a teachers salary and not really a true bonus. The foreigners sign different contracts which don't have any bonus built into it.

I don't know if he's telling the truth or just covering up. I too would be interested to know if many foreigners are getting Chuseok gifts from public schools.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

I got a small towel.

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

I got socks last year.

Or maybe that was for Teacher's Day.

blueatjustc · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

i got 100k, must be an odd school

genezorm · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Mokpo

i think its just because none of you understand korean culture

jaderedux2 · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Location: lurking just lurking

When I worked at a hogwan I got 100K bonus and a soap and toothpaste set. Public School...hearty handshake! Laughing

Jade

theatrelily · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Location: Haeundae-gu, Busan

I got nothing last year; but then again, the Koreans didn't get anything either.

This year they gave me extra time off at the end of this week to fly out for my sister's wedding in Trinidad.

Much better than the Spam gift box my old hagwon is fond of giving its teachers.

Smile

hugo_danner · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Location: korea

I got the same picture album they give 6th grades when they leave for middle school. It's pretty nice, but I don't take pictures much anymore.

Rapacious Mr. Batstove · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Location: Central Areola

I got the SPAM and Oil gift set in my first year here.

I'm going to give it to my handler, it's two years old. Do you think she'll notice?