Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thekakapo]

Okay, my friend Kirpy and I were all set to apply to the EPIK program. I know, I know, some folks are for EPIK, some against, but it seemed like a much better option to me than trying my luck with a hogwan. So.

Kirpy's friend sent her a link to a program called ETIS -http://etis.sen.go.kr/content/2-benefits.html- which seems like it was birthed out of the head of a god. It seems to have all of the benefits of EPIK (although with slightly lower pay) but with the benefit of an assured placement in Seoul.

Personally, I really want to live in either Seoul or Busan. I imagine I'll be culture shocked enough already without the added stress of being in a place in the boonies with no other ex-pats. Is the liklihood really so low of being placed in these cities? Why would EPIK have Seoul as a placement site if nobody can make it in?

I am suspicious of a program like ETIS which does not list its hours of operation. Does anybody know anything about this program? I would really appreciate any help you folks can give.

[aarontendo]

ETIS is for Seoul. You wouldn't be part of of EPIK at that point, but yeah you'd be living in Seoul. Contracts for SMOE and EPIK are very similar, though the pay scales are different. SMOE also gives 21 days holiday, while EPIK gives 14 days.

If you wanna work in Seoul, go with SMOE.

If you wanna go with Busan, you can apply to EPIK. Fair warning though, you might (probably) won't get Busan. It's all about where they want to put you, and if a lot of people try to pick Busan then you're S.O.L. I'm sure it's one of the more popular places to work in the EPIK program.

Basically, SMOE is for Seoul. GEPIK is for Gyongi-do (the area right around Seoul) and EPIK is most the rest of the country. Though, I think Incheon does maybe do their own recruiting instead of through the EPIK program.

[poet13]

Well now, brown a-s-s could be anywhere from the delicious light choco of my wifes sun browned filipino skin, or it could be all the way to the deep kimbo slice brown. If you look like Kimbo slice though, you can live anywhere you please and not worry abotu a thing.

I have heard that Bundang is a nice place. Have a friend who heads up there most weekends to play in a bluegrass band.

[ttompatz]

3 main government programs:

ETIS / SMOE - Seoul office of education for Seoul city.
GEPIK _ Gyeonggi province - the area surrounding Seoul city.
EPIK - the rest of Korea.

The other 6 largest cities are NOT part of one of the 3 main programs. They do their own recruiting.

* Busan Metropolitan City
* Daegu Metropolitan City
* Incheon Metropolitan City
* Gwangju Metropolitan City
* Daejeon Metropolitan City
* Ulsan Metropolitan City

They are similar but they are NOT the same. They cover different geographic areas within the country and have slightly different pay and benefit scales.

[Ruraljuror]

Hold on...stop right there.

Slow down.

Your friend's name is "Kirpy"?

[Burndog]

[pkang0202]

[thekakapo]

[Ukon]

[blonde researcher]

delete

[Bibbitybop]

[MollyBloom]

[Shredd]

Sometimes it's all about recruiters. I initially applied through Footprints for EPIK in Busan but they told me that all of the spots were filled. I'm sure what they meant to say is that all of their slots were filled since I still got an EPIK job in Pusan through a different recruiter.

[blonde researcher]

Apparently all EPIK recruiters have an equal chance to put forward people for all the EPIK positions where ever they are.
What Footprints told you at the time about there being no jobs could have been true with the way EPIK works. Maybe you just got lucky with your application to the second recruiter at the right time. Who was the second recruiter and when was the job available to you ?

[cbclark4]

I thought ETIS was Smoe?