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A newbie from Vancouver, Canada
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fahidguitar



Joined: 14 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:15 pm    Post subject: A newbie from Vancouver, Canada Reply with quote

Hey Everyone!

I assume my happy greeting indicates my innocence in the world of ESL Teaching in Korea...haha. Anyways, I'm 21 (young I know), and have 2 years of my university degree done in my B.A...Anyways, I was seriously thinking of coming to Korea, I accidentally went through a posting I found in my college about a company that recruits for there...and then I also accidentally found this site through a person I accidentally met at my old workplace! So I'm hoping that this isn't all an accident...

Basically, I have no teaching experience, let alone in another country that speaks a foreign language (I've been to New Zealand, England, Scotland, but I guess thats not too relevant). I basically want to do this, to..
a) Say that I've done it
b) I really want to teach in North Africa eventually (Morocco), and I think this would look good on my CV...
c) Learn about myself, and get through a challenge...
d) If possible, save some money

I think d) is important, but definitely not at the top of the list.

So far, my recruiter has pretty much said yes to me, but I'm waiting on their decision...their site is www.globalcampusjob.com . I've gotten a sample contract from them, which I will post in the other thread... I think the thing really holding me back are the few 'fears' I have about S.Korea (i.e. the currency devalue, and lack of social network - its important to have a few close friends that I can talk to--hoping I'd meet other foreigners there). I am usually pretty content being 'alone' but moreso in the past year I realized that I do need other people around me...I guess I'm doubting whether I can handle being a total foreigner!(Though I'm hoping I can!)...

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on this, and if you could give any help if possible...just on tips, suggestions for this 'plan', anything else...A few cities which she mentioned to me were Hwaseong City, Pochen City , and Yangju City.

I guess I'd prefer a place that has some scenery, but if not, then I'll go for the place that has a decent place to stay at least...

What do you think? Thanks!

p.s. I speak no Korean
p.s.s. I'd be on the low end of the pay scale at 1.6million won, which isn't much...but I'm guessing thats all I'd be able to get since I only have 2 years...as I said before, the money isn't too important, but long as I have to enough to live comfortably...my position is considered an 'internship position' or thats the title they call it...on the site..


Last edited by fahidguitar on Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:27 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Yu_Bum_suk



Joined: 25 Dec 2004

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The only job you can get without a degree at the moment is through the TaLK programme, and I don't believe they use recruiters. Anything else the recruiter is telling you about working at an academy or public school is BS.
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Soccerstar



Joined: 21 Nov 2006
Location: Kyungsangnamdo

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry to burst your bubble chap, but you have been misinformed.
First of all you cannot work here without a 4-year degree.
Unless as YBS correctly stated, you use the TALK program.
But WHY DO THAT? Living costs are higher here than in Canada.
1.6 equals just over $1,000/month. Life here is not rosy, and is really one of the less enjoyable places in the world to live. Trust me, I've seen a fair bit of the world.
Work at Tim Hortons and enjoy 1. More money 2. A higher standard of living 3. More friends 4. Tons more opportunities to move upward in life.

Don't throw away a year of your life to come out here for a few pennies. Exclamation
Take my advice. The grass is much greener in Canada.
Cheers. Very Happy
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fahidguitar



Joined: 14 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

if this helps...
http://www.globalcampusjob.com/new/jobboard/1308
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mayorgc



Joined: 19 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i'm from vancouver as well

but i've got my university degree and i've been here for 2 weeks (13 Days to be exact).

for 1.6 million won, you're gonna practically be living on welfare. well, that might be an over exageration, but i'm only making 2 million and I gotta make sure I have enough to pay the bills before i even consider having fun.

if you're worried about the currency, all i can say is that the day i left vancouver, 2 million won was worth almost 1900 canadian. now, i checked today and 2 million won is almost 1700 canadian. ouch. but the fluctuations could be cyclical, or it could indicate a trend. for me, i'm gonna assume it's cyclical.

in terms of social network, i'm convinced that it's gonna be different for everybody. some people will make tons of friends, some will be lonely for 12 months, it could happen anywhere, canada or korea.

i've been here 2 weeks and i've got 2 co teachers. both very nice ladies. one of them i even hang out with, since we go to dinner and what not. I made a few contacts on the plane ride over, but not sure what to make of that. some of the office ladies here are very friendly as well, they seem to want to spend time with me. and on the subway, i met a girl and got her number and contact. so in 2 weeks, i've been able to make a few connections. I keep in touch with friends back home, but with the 17 hour time difference, you're gonna find it hard to synchronize schedules. I knew one person in korea before i flew out here, she went to my university, and other than her, i did not know a soul. if you're willing to spend an entire year alone, then make the trip over. worst case scenario, you spend the year solo, best case scenario, you make friends.

and i'm chinese, so no matter what city i get placed in, i knew that i'd blend in. for a white guy in the boonies, you'll (i assume) stick out. for a white guy in seoul, (i assume) you won't be the only one.

but my opinion is based on 2 weeks in korea, take it for what it's worth.

and honestly, for 1.6 million, you're not gonna be saving any of that.
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EuroFunk



Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: jobless in Busan

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

GEPIK internship offers students that have their 2 year diploma or 2 years of college education the same as the TaLK program....

except more hours for the same pay. The plus side you say? The possibility of working at a middle or high school while TaLK is limited to only elementary.
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

fahidguitar wrote:
if this helps...
http://www.globalcampusjob.com/new/jobboard/1308


That job ad is misleading at best and borders on blatant lying.

The ONLY legal options for someone without a completed degree are the TaLK program and/or one of the POE (like GEPIK/GPOE) internship programs.

The MAXIMUM you can earn is 1.6 million won.
You WILL do the same job as the next foreigner with a degree who is earning 50% more than you do.
You WILL NOT be in a desirable location. You will get sent out to the sticks where then cannot recruit anyone with a degree who is willing to go there.

Finish your degree, then come on over and pay off your loans. The job market won't disappear anytime soon.

.
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Korussian



Joined: 15 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ttompatz wrote:
fahidguitar wrote:
if this helps...
http://www.globalcampusjob.com/new/jobboard/1308


That job ad is misleading at best and borders on blatant lying.

The ONLY legal options for someone without a completed degree are the TaLK program and/or one of the POE (like GEPIK/GPOE) internship programs.

The MAXIMUM you can earn is 1.6 million won.
You WILL do the same job as the next foreigner with a degree who is earning 50% more than you do.
You WILL NOT be in a desirable location. You will get sent out to the sticks where then cannot recruit anyone with a degree who is willing to go there.

Finish your degree, then come on over and pay off your loans. The job market won't disappear anytime soon.

.


You may have heard that Dave's is full of cynical people who will give you negative answers, in which case you might try to take this advise with a grain of salt. Don't.

You're getting the most accurate and best advice. Listen to ttompatz and yu_bum_suk - coming to Korea now will not help you to see the world and learn about yourself, so much as it will be an exercise in frustration... possibly lonely frustration at that. Not that you can't learn about yourself by being frustrated all the time...

There is a lot of good to be found in Korea, but this is not the stage at which someone in your position is likely to find much of it.

If your recruiter is telling you that you can come to Korea with a 2-year degree and teach outside of the TALK or GEPIK Internship programs, then please ask that recruiter to put it in writing on company (the recruiter's company) letterhead with the recruiter's personal stamp, and let them know that's what you'll be showing the immigration officer when they ask you the purpose of your stay in Korea. See what the recruiter says to that.
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fahidguitar



Joined: 14 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hey, i checked the contract and according to that, they recruit for the GEPIK program...is that possible/make sense???

hmm...
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fahidguitar



Joined: 14 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i have thought alot about what the above posters have said...but i still feel like coming...i think i just wanna get outta van... Smile
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justind



Joined: 02 Jul 2007
Location: Suji, South Korea

PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My advise: which i am sure is echoed by everyone here.

Wait 2 years, finish your schooling and then come here to make a full salary.
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Korussian



Joined: 15 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

fahidguitar wrote:
hey, i checked the contract and according to that, they recruit for the GEPIK program...is that possible/make sense???

hmm...


Yes, the GEPIK program does use recruiters. Nevertheless, the standard GEPIK program requires you to have completed a bachelor's degree. A 3-year bachelor's is sufficient, so you could come to Korea as a full-fledged worker as soon as next year.

I know how you feel - I was itching to come to Korea, and any advice to the contrary I attributed to the idea that those giving it didn't understand me or my particular situation.

The decision is up to you. If you do decide to come now, keep in touch via these boards, and we'll help you where we can.
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fahidguitar



Joined: 14 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hey guys,

i really appreciate your replies...its def. really helpful to have viewpoints from people there.

just out of curiousity, my goal later on would be to teach english in morocco (i have one friend that did that...)...i figured saying that i've been to korea when i was 21 would help in terms of salary etc...

am i wrong on that? and has anyone else been to teach in north africa or anywhere else?

also, have any of you had positive experiences with recruiters? and if your from vancouver/canada, who was your recruiter...

globalcampusjob is new, and i dont know much about them, though they've been extremely helpful in their responses Smile

and also, pochen, hwaesong, or yangju? those were a few places the recruiter mentioned. .. Smile
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fahidguitar



Joined: 14 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

heylo again guys and girls...

also, if i am to delay my trip till i have my full university degree, how much would i be making then? (whats considered a 'full' salary)...keep in mind im from canada eh...

and to the poster above that said i might stick out if im white...im actually brown!!! which could be good or bad .. . :S


korussian- did you have your full degree complete when you left????


thanks Smile

i wish i could PM some of you but im <25 posts Sad
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Korussian



Joined: 15 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

fahidguitar wrote:
heylo again guys and girls...

also, if i am to delay my trip till i have my full university degree, how much would i be making then? (whats considered a 'full' salary)...keep in mind im from canada eh...

and to the poster above that said i might stick out if im white...im actually brown!!! which could be good or bad .. . :S


korussian- did you have your full degree complete when you left????


thanks :)

i wish i could PM some of you but im <25 posts :(


Yes, I delayed leaving for some time. When I left, I had my full degree, TESOL, and some un-ESL-related teaching experience. It was all worth it.
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