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wsiggins
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Location: Chuncheon, Gangwon do
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 Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:31 pm Post subject: Seoul English Village- Great or a Bust? |
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I couldn't help but be a bit entranced by them- It is not really "teaching" persay, but more like one big summer camp? Considering most of my jobs were summer-camp related, I think I'd like it, probably for a 6 month contract. Anyone ever participate in one before? Stories or advice would be fantastic.
http://www.ybmecc.co.kr/index.asp?sub1=school_pic&sub2=2&seq=65 |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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wsiggins
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Location: Chuncheon, Gangwon do
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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| cruisemonkey wrote: |
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Oh thanks, really helpful.
dink. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Want to waste your time? Sign up ASAP. |
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wsiggins
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Location: Chuncheon, Gangwon do
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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| wylies99 wrote: |
| Want to waste your time? Sign up ASAP. |
waste your time where, at the camp or on this message board?
could you expand if you mean at the village? |
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TBirdMG
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Location: SF, CA, USA
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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I agree and clarify. DO NOT waste your time at any Korean Village. You will be treated like a zoo animal, forced to work in a Disney-like environment, isolated from the real Korea. The Village will house you in either an on-site dorm with zero privacy, where you can always be bothered for unscheduled annoyances, and they will conduct surveillance on your every move. If you are slightly fortunate, you will be housed outside, but still close to, the Village, where you will STILL be bothered by unscheduled visits from Korean supervisors, co-workers, etc....
You may or may not be paid on time. You may discover strange deductions from your pay. You may find that the Village tries to enforce a curfew during the week. You may find that there are cool Eastern European staff at the Village, but Korean supervisor tells you that you are forbidden to socialize with them.
You may be lucky enough to never sign a contract with an English Village. You may not.
Do a Google search and read blogs from the last few years.....
Avoid EVs like the plague... |
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esetters21
Joined: 30 Apr 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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| TBirdMG wrote: |
I agree and clarify. DO NOT waste your time at any Korean Village. You will be treated like a zoo animal, forced to work in a Disney-like environment, isolated from the real Korea. The Village will house you in either an on-site dorm with zero privacy, where you can always be bothered for unscheduled annoyances, and they will conduct surveillance on your every move. If you are slightly fortunate, you will be housed outside, but still close to, the Village, where you will STILL be bothered by unscheduled visits from Korean supervisors, co-workers, etc....
You may or may not be paid on time. You may discover strange deductions from your pay. You may find that the Village tries to enforce a curfew during the week. You may find that there are cool Eastern European staff at the Village, but Korean supervisor tells you that you are forbidden to socialize with them.
You may be lucky enough to never sign a contract with an English Village. You may not.
Do a Google search and read blogs from the last few years.....
Avoid EVs like the plague... |
That is what the OP is used to. "Considering most of my jobs were summer-camp related." That sounds like a natural fit to me. |
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wsiggins
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Location: Chuncheon, Gangwon do
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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| esetters21 wrote: |
| TBirdMG wrote: |
I agree and clarify. DO NOT waste your time at any Korean Village. You will be treated like a zoo animal, forced to work in a Disney-like environment, isolated from the real Korea. The Village will house you in either an on-site dorm with zero privacy, where you can always be bothered for unscheduled annoyances, and they will conduct surveillance on your every move. If you are slightly fortunate, you will be housed outside, but still close to, the Village, where you will STILL be bothered by unscheduled visits from Korean supervisors, co-workers, etc....
You may or may not be paid on time. You may discover strange deductions from your pay. You may find that the Village tries to enforce a curfew during the week. You may find that there are cool Eastern European staff at the Village, but Korean supervisor tells you that you are forbidden to socialize with them.
You may be lucky enough to never sign a contract with an English Village. You may not.
Do a Google search and read blogs from the last few years.....
Avoid EVs like the plague... |
That is what the OP is used to. "Considering most of my jobs were summer-camp related." That sounds like a natural fit to me. |
Hahaha, well, yes, I hope so. I just checked out a few blogs as far as peoples experience with the EV's, and there was one that was a pretty brutal experience- she thought she was going to be doing professional acting and then found herself to be in a play-camp where the kids got to do the acting (which I would expect, the experience is for them, right?).... NOT the vibe I got from the job at all- It sounds different than most schools alright, more like playing than actually BEING in a play. So of course she was very upset and subsequently quit.
However, I read another guys blog and he seems to have the same playful idealism that I have and had a wicked time with it, I guess I am just not quite the reformed teachers as most of you could very well be. |
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wsiggins
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Location: Chuncheon, Gangwon do
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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http://thecandytrail.wordpress.com/2006/07/
this man's blog mentions his opinions of the EV I am interested in as well, though I suppose he does talk about *shock horror* drinking and partying a bit much, but overall he shares my initial opinion of what the experience would be like as far as the interactions with the kids.
Check it out if all you have read too many experiences like this persons: http://swishyfishy.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html
Not to say she does not have very valid concerns (not getting paid for weekend work sounds pretty awful and I would quit for that reason) but as I mentioned before, I think she was under a whole different mind set when going into it.
However, these are opinions I am forming pretty quickly, I still love the detailed feedback and opinions of everyone so far, so thanks! |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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| If you can get a six-month gig it might be all right as an easy introduction to Korea. 12 months of working at such a farce might be a bit much, though. Just be careful about what hours you'll actually be working and whether or not overtime (a word that doesn't mean the same thing here as in the west) is optional. |
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mj roach
Joined: 16 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:11 am Post subject: |
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wsiggins - sounds like you've done your research
don't bother listening to the 'naysayers'...go for it
and be sure to post often and let everyone know how your new gig works out and how you're adjusting to life at the village, eh |
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bizrandom
Joined: 23 Oct 2007
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:31 am Post subject: |
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| summer camp always meant swinging sizziling romances.... that alone is enticement to see what it is all about, requst pictures of your co-workers! |
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wsiggins
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Location: Chuncheon, Gangwon do
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:23 am Post subject: |
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| bizrandom wrote: |
| summer camp always meant swinging sizziling romances.... that alone is enticement to see what it is all about, requst pictures of your co-workers! |
hahahaha I am applying with my partner! |
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wsiggins
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Location: Chuncheon, Gangwon do
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:25 am Post subject: |
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| mj roach wrote: |
wsiggins - sounds like you've done your research
don't bother listening to the 'naysayers'...go for it
and be sure to post often and let everyone know how your new gig works out and how you're adjusting to life at the village, eh |
If I take it, then sure. The thing is, if I do take a 6 month contract with them, and then from there would want to find another job in SK, then would I need to go home to get another Criminal Record Check done in Canada? |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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| TBirdMG wrote: |
I agree and clarify. DO NOT waste your time at any Korean Village. You will be treated like a zoo animal, forced to work in a Disney-like environment, isolated from the real Korea. The Village will house you in either an on-site dorm with zero privacy, where you can always be bothered for unscheduled annoyances, and they will conduct surveillance on your every move. If you are slightly fortunate, you will be housed outside, but still close to, the Village, where you will STILL be bothered by unscheduled visits from Korean supervisors, co-workers, etc....
You may or may not be paid on time. You may discover strange deductions from your pay. You may find that the Village tries to enforce a curfew during the week. You may find that there are cool Eastern European staff at the Village, but Korean supervisor tells you that you are forbidden to socialize with them.
You may be lucky enough to never sign a contract with an English Village. You may not.
Do a Google search and read blogs from the last few years.....
Avoid EVs like the plague... |
OP, ignore an honest post like this one at your own risk.  |
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