Korean Job Discussion Forums

[elinori]

I have an offer and a contract that was sent DHL along with all the appropriate paperwork. The camp is at Inha University from January 7th to February 2nd for 2.8 million Won. The schedule is Mon. through Sat. 9 to 4:30. I have to buy my own plane ticket, but accommodations and lunch is taken care of. (If you have actually worked at a winter camp, you should know that this is common practice and is what every camp offers OR about $1000 less pay plus ticket. Personally, I'd rather find the good deal on a flight and pocket the money.) With 3.3% tax taken out at the end of the day and some meals, etc., I should be able to walk away with about $1800. This sounds like an interesting trip to me.

I have worked many camps here in the U.S. and have taught ESL in San Francisco and Thailand. I know what both jobs entail. I have no problem with the hours, hanging out with kids (I am currently a children's entertainer on the weekends), teaching some English, sleeping in a dorm for a month. IT'S A CAMP! What is inexcusable is not getting paid in the end or working more than what it says in my contract.

Okay, so I bring this up, because everything checks out, but I'm reading so much BAD press on winter camps, I'm ready to forget the whole thing. My recruiter has been on it and very quick to answer emails, has called me when they said they would, and worked well with me. Nothing about it seems bad really. However, I have read so much stuff about:

...not getting paid, getting paid late, and/or paid less.
...being taxed 22 to 25% extra because of the C4 visa.
...sleeping on the floor, not having a bed.
...lots of lies.
...immigration hassles.

Here's the thing, most of this seems to come from people talking about "what they heard" or "word on the street". I have had a really hard time finding a posting from someone who has ACTUALLY WORKED A WINTER CAMP. Yes, I have read that one about the South Africans getting screwed by Elite Camp. That sucks, they should have waited to get their visas before they bought their tickets and made sure their communication flow was good with the recruiter. BTW, I have been working with Ainee and Alex from JIK (Job In Korea) and they have been great. If you have had experience with them, let me know as well.

I don't want to believe in fairy tales, but at the same time, I don't want to pass up something that could actually be pretty cool. It will be tiring, sometimes difficult, maybe dirty, possibly rewarding, and life learning. I did the CELTA, that was pretty fricken hard hours. I'll get my money in the end and travel around to some hot springs and snowy mountains, eat some kimchee, and head back home mid-February.

If you have actually worked at a winter camp, please confirm my fears if it is true and tell all the nasties (from your experience, you did it, were screwed, tell me how, it wasn't worth it, etc.) or tell the real deal and that it was just fine (from your experience, you did it, it was cool, the kids were funny, you were tired, you got the money that was stated in your contract, etc.)

Please come out of the woodwork and give first hand experience stories! Thank you! Thank you!

[jlb]

I did one in Sokcho for the Kookmin Bank (KB) back in 2004 and it was great. All legit with visas and stuff and no sketchiness with the money.

Everything (hours and stuff) were according to the contract.

[Bibbitybop]

WHO is the employer? This will let people give you advise as "winter camps" differ from employer to employer.

You said getting paid a little bit less, but not a lot less, than what is agreed to in your contract is ok. That is absolutely stupid and not ok.

[elinori]

I was referring to the time, not the money, obviously. I don't mind hanging out after class to watch a talent show or something every once in a while. Of course it is not okay to be paid less than offered. I'll edit it, just to be clear. Don't be stupid. (Hey, you called me stupid. )

Inha University is my employer.

[moosehead]

i've worked several camps, both winter and summer.

winter camps:

heating is of course a priority - and it doesn't always work in the dorms. the first camp i was at several teachers didn't have any heat and it was subfreezing weather - needless to say they got sick. very sick. and stayed that way. eventually their heating came on but was sporadic.

heating in the classrooms also a problem. some worked, some didn't. no heat in the hallways, bathrooms, etc. cafeteria had heater/blowers but only in one area, so mostly your food was cold before you could eat it. if you can eat it, it might not be good. camp food is always iffy, more likely to be bad than good.

getting paid:
camps will pay you if they care about you having a visa. camps that don't care about your visa are the ones that you watch out for getting paid, that and anything anywhere near woosuck university.

taxes:you mention 3.3 tax rate - is that in your contract? camp taxes can be erratic, some take it out, some take out huge amounts, get it in writing what they want to take out AND A DATE PAYMENT IS TO BE MADE.

total amount:
i'm not looking at a calendar but your rate seems a bit low, sounds like a 6 day a week camp -you are not a babysitter but a teacher - if they want you to be there that much they need to pay more - 5 days a week, classes in the morning activity in the afternoon, off at 5 p.m is generally 1 mil won/a week - try and bargain them up.

best way to negotiate a camp is to wait until the last minute they don't have teachers and salaries hit the roof as they try and get their spaces filled.

get a schedule in writing; find out about resources, books, curriculum, art supplies, etc. how many other foreign teachers, k teachers, experience, has this camp been done before or is it the first time? that's important, first time camps are usually incredibly understaffed, underresourced, undermanaged, don't provide what's promised, etc. etc. etc.

just as in approaching a hagwon ask for emails from teachers from previous camps - they should be able to provide them. if not or unwilling BIG RED FLAG.

good luck. winter gets cold in korea, especially with no heat.

[moosehead]

i forgot to mention - i've dealt with JIK before - a lot of promises, string you along, very sweet but generally they fall thru at the last minute with excuses of course. got tired of it, am surprised to hear they are still around. they generally offer the jobs no one else seem able to take or have already taken.

just IMO, is all.

[Bibbitybop]

[elinori]

Thank you for your responses, they're really helpful. I hope more people out there can share their experiences for all of us thinking about winter camp.