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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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 Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject: Is it worth it to go through SMOE or Epic? |
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I hear everyone claiming SMOE is good to work for,but my concern is, I hear they may stick you in a co-op and you may work for an after school program. Does Epic try to do the same to their teachers?  |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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You might not get the co-op. I'm placed in the dongdaemun area...but I dont think I'm placed there. My school didn't mention it but I guess we'll see 
Never heard anything about the afterschool program. |
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climber159
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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I just finished my contract with SMOE. I was not placed in the COOP residence; I had a very nice loft apartment that came fully furnished.
I'd be a little concerned with the AAA after school English program though. Last I heard was that they are going to expand it and make your involvement in it mandatory. Even if that's not the case you'll still be required to teach English camps during summer and winter breaks. Mine were pretty good; I've heard of others that were hellish.
Ultimately, it's gamble; but, I'd say if you go with SMOE over anything else (even GEPIK) you'll have a better shot at having a decent experience in Korea.
Good luck. |
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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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| What about Epic or different POE's? I am starting to realize I would not be on top of people, but close enough to Seoul. |
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climber159
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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| What about Epic or different POE's? I am starting to realize I would not be on top of people, but close enough to Seoul. |
I'm not really sure I understand what you said here. My thoughts:
1. SMOE is probably the best route for a newbie to go.
2. While I haven't worked with GEPIK, I hear they're OK. More disorganized than SMOE, but on the whole, OK.
3. It's probably best for a newbie to go work with a public school their first year in Korea. You are MUCH less likely to be screwed in any major ways. You'll still run into headaches, but nothing too terrible.
4. DON'T sign with a hagwon if you are not in Korea and can't visit in person. Just don't do it. Bad, bad, bad for you.
5. If you want to be near Seoul but not in Seoul, then go with GEPIK. |
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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| What about Epik and POE'S? I figure that I could still have a social life and meet people to hang with in the POE and Epic areas while still being close to seoul? |
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climber159
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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SMOE = Teaching and living in Seoul
GEPIK = Teaching and living in Gyeonggi Province (I think this is what you want, but your sentence structure is somewhat confusing.)
EPIK = Other places generally not within quick and easy access to Seoul |
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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, let me see if I have this correct. You are saying if I want to have a social life (no matter if after school program is required) and meet other teachers ,then SMOE is it? If I want to have the same as above ,but without the large number of people( little more problems with Gepic),but be located at least one hour outside of Seoul, then Gepik would be for me?
The locations offered by Epic and the Poe's such as ,Ulsan,Busan and Incheon etc would not offer what Smoe or Gepik offers ,such as a social life or better program ? Thanks for all your help |
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climber159
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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| I didn't say anything about a social life. My analysis of the programs is based upon my experience WORKING with SMOE and what others have said about WORKING with their school in other programs. But...if you need a vibrant social life you should probably just go with SMOE and live in Seoul. Best of luck. |
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gwhitey09
Joined: 26 Jun 2007
Location: seoul
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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im betting you are in the co-op kyc
everyone i know in smoe that lives in dongdaemun lives in the co-op
it sucks
i requested before orientation last year i don't wanna live there |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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| gwhitey09 wrote: |
im betting you are in the co-op kyc
everyone i know in smoe that lives in dongdaemun lives in the co-op
it sucks
i requested before orientation last year i don't wanna live there |
curses! I don't want to end up there either! I requested that too but I guess it fell on deaf ears. I guess I'll see on Monday if im in the co op |
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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:44 am Post subject: |
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So, I guess it is possible now that Smoe will start requiring after school teachers and they will not tell you in the interview? ( I wonder what the work schedule will be) I guess now they will also stick you in a co-op? It sounds like things are starting to change? I would like to get some feedback, is Smoe still worth signing up with if these changes take place?  |
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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:38 am Post subject: |
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Kyc,
I found the following link on co-ops rent.co-op.co.kr/eng/body02.htm - 83k ( sorry unable to hyperlink) Do you think the co-ops that Smoe would put you in would be as nice as the ones on this link? If this is the case they do not look to bad? |
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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject: What does a co-op offer? |
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gwhitey,
What do these co-ops offer? I looked at page on the web which shows a Korean co-op as having studio apartments and facilities on the property such as a gym? I listed this site with kyc.
Thanks |
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ardis
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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| climber159 wrote: |
I just finished my contract with SMOE. I was not placed in the COOP residence; I had a very nice loft apartment that came fully furnished.
I'd be a little concerned with the AAA after school English program though. Last I heard was that they are going to expand it and make your involvement in it mandatory. Even if that's not the case you'll still be required to teach English camps during summer and winter breaks. Mine were pretty good; I've heard of others that were hellish.
Ultimately, it's gamble; but, I'd say if you go with SMOE over anything else (even GEPIK) you'll have a better shot at having a decent experience in Korea.
Good luck. |
This is my largest issue with SMOE. I was fine with it until the head of my district and all the teachers were like...FORCING us to do this AAA program. And it sucks even more because it only applies to us middle school teachers. It's not in my contract and they're still trying to guilt me into doing it. |
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