Korean Job Discussion Forums

Atramentous · Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Location: Ansan

How would my friend and I go about getting hired at the same school or in schools that are in proximity to one another? We see alot of "couple" job notices but we are not a couple, just good friends. We both have teaching certifications from our respective nations. I am sort of american and she is South African.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

I assume you are a guy.

Getting hired at the same school may be a bit of a problem. It's the 'living arrangements' thing. In Korea, a man and a woman who are not married, yet are living together, is a big taboo.

I will make the leap and guess that this school wants a couple because they're trying to put two teachers in the same apartment, and thus have to rent only one pad.

You'll find a higher probability of success if you try to get jobs at different schools that are close together. You'll then live in separate apartments, which will make the locals happy. And believe your neighbors for blocks around will know about you within days upon your arrival to your new neighborhood.

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

There is no "sort of." Check your passport...does it say USA?

Just tell the recruiters and push for it..it'll happen. If they tell you they can't, find another recruiter.

Provence · Joined: 18 Oct 2008 Location: South Korea

I honestly don�t see this as a problem. There are literally hagwons on every block here in Korea. You could probably end up working on the same block for different schools. However, the "sort of American" could be a problem. Do you have dual citizenship with another country? In which case if the other country is a non-English speaking country I wouldn�t even tell them as it will not help you, only cause confusion. Koreans don�t allow duel citizenships so they might not fully understand the concept.

BigBuds · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Location: Changwon

Check your inbow.

Atramentous · Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Location: Ansan

Right. To clear things up. I am a dual citizen. I do have an American passport. The other passport is also from an english-speaking nation. I am going with the American one since I completed most of my university education in the US. Sorry if I stepped on any toes with the "sort of" American. There was no intended insult to the US of A.

I did not know that men and women living together when not married was a cultural no-no in Korea. Good to know, however, not a problem as I am a woman. I think that the title of the thread might of been misleading.

I have been looking at different recruitment agencies and I am not sure what to think. What would be the signs that the agency is not awful?

Teelo · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Wellington, NZ

They might assume some lesbo action is going on Wink

Countrygirl · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Location: in the classroom

People are assuming that you want to bunk together but from your post it just looks like you want to work close to each other.

For a hogwan, that would normally be no problem. And your housing would be very close to each other. For a public school, it would be a little difficult, but possible. Just tell the recruiter. When they try to push jobs on you that are too far apart, then just say no. You might have better luck during the peak hiring season of March or Sept. for public schools.

If you are a little picky, you will enjoy your year in Korea much better than if you bend to a recruiters demands. Don't be afraid to say "no".

Countrygirl · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Location: in the classroom

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

refikaM · Joined: 06 May 2006 Location: Gangwondo

OK.. I know couples (male/female) living together.. teaching in the same town, but not the same schools (public).. and they are NOT married.. Seems to be no problem for them at all... Every couple I know has AT LEAST a TWO bedroom apt.. and often some have THREE... So, putting two "non-coupled" people in the same apt shouldn't be a prob... As a poster mentioned above, just let your recruiters know your situation. I don't believe people are going to automatically think you're homesexual.. methinks that's a bit of hype ... Anyway, good luck.. You should be able to at least teach in the same area/town/city and still share an apt if you look for public school jobs.. Dunno about the hogwan thing..

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

That's allowed, Pkang, because Koreans know those scantily-clad lassies are programed to act 'properly'. If they stray, they will be punished by losing face. Foreigners know no such limitations, and wouldn't respect those anyway, so their shenanigans are nipped early.

When you are immune from the pressures of Face, you must be kept on a leash here.

Perceptioncheck · Joined: 13 Oct 2008

A friend and I were in exactly the same position as you.

We decided to go the public school route and the recruiters assurances changed from being able to house us together

being able to house us within walking distance

not having a freakin' clue as to where our housing even was. Needless to say, we were not impressed but due to time/financial restraints we had to take the jobs. (As luck would have it, our houses WERE very close together but this could just as easily not have been the case)

So all I can say is good luck. Make sure your recruiter understands your EXACT requirements and if they keep changing their story, change recruiters; they need you more than you need them.