Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bumblebee]

Hi,

Im dying to get myself to S.Korea on a teaching placement but have a couple questions that I can't find the answers to (not great at the search facility thing even after a week) so would really appreciate any advice anyone has for me on the questions below

Ill probably coming over and using a recruiter because of a lack of cash in the UK, ive been talking to Long Bridge Pacific about the ILS School (hagwon) in Guri...has anyone any advice about this recruiter or how easy it is to get from Guri to Seoul? Ive also been talking to flyingcows and Education Adventure but not about any specific schools yet...

Ive picked up that some people are really against recruiters full stop and think its a millions times better to go straight to Korea and take your chances finding a job - I can see the advantage but what I really want is for my flight from the UK to be paid for, does anyone know if you can get your return flight reimbursed if you just wing it and come over and look? And also if you do go through a recruiter can you book your return flight so that you return 6 months or so after your post ends so you can add on some travel time after you finish? The plan is that S.Korea would just be a years adventure and teaching experience, and then off to explore Asia... (guess actuallly this might mean they would have to book 2 singles for you, not sure if this would make any difference to them?)

Also, and this is a biggie really, my boyfriend really wants to come as well although he has no degree - well didn't complete 3 years. Does anyone know of a way that he can work in South Korea but not teach? I was thinking maybe an IT based job - he works in IT at the mo - using his English fluency... Ive looked all over the web but Im finding it really hard to tell if its gonna be possible for him

O and the other thing is that everyone seems to be from Canada or America?? I don't mind in the least, but am I likely to be a lone Uk-er over there or are there more than I realise? And is being from the UK going to put me at any sort of disadvantage? (don't know why it would, but you all might know more than me!)

Thanks so much for any advice you give me, ive hit a couple of brick walls as you can see!! x

[John_ESL_White]

[ontheway]

For your first time in Korea, it's best to use a recruiter. They have bad reputations and teachers and schools dislike them. But, it's really easier, safer and cheaper than coming on your own. After your first year, you never need use a recruiter again.

Don't use any recruiter that asks YOU to pay any fee. There are plenty of employer paid recruiters available.

You should get your E2 visa before you come to Korea. Get a job, get a visa, then come.

[ThingsComeAround]

The exchange stinks but its still cool to visit Korea.

Hope you like Super Spicy Jigae (stew)

[DCJames]

It's the wrong time to come to Korea.

[Thewhiteyalbum]

Use a recruiter. It's just easier.
Try to talk to teachers at any schools you want to teach at.
It will be hard for your boyfriend to find work without a degree.
There are plenty of different nationalities over here.

Think carefully about how much you can seriously save (although I think the won/pound is doing okay?) because IMHO there aren't too many positives about being here aside from the ability to save some cash. It sure ain't a S.E Asian paradise.

[Cerriowen]

[D.D.]

Don't work in a hogwan. Apply for public schools. Not much chance of your boyfriend getting work unless he says that he has a 3 year degree and can get a piece of paper to support that claim.

[fustiancorduroy]

I used to live in Guri. It's...not that nice, really. But it's good enough to live in on a daily basis, and Seoul is only about a 15 - 20 minute bus ride away. But if you want a job in Seoul, get one. There ain't exactly a superabundance of teachers these days.

I came over with Longbridge. That was a couple years ago. They weren't very helpful, but at least they didn't exaggerate the truth too much about the job they offered me. I've since moved on to much bigger and better things.

[OculisOrbis]

Your boyfriend can come here and work under the TALK program in public elementary schools if he has started a degree but not yet finished. Same deal as regular foreign teachers, but with 25 - 40% less pay (1.5 mil per month instead of 1.9 to 2.8 mil). EPIK program hires them and not sure about SMOE or EPIG. I doubt there's much else he'd be eligible to do legally.

[bumblebee]

Thanks for all the advice, its been really useful, my boyf is gong to contact EPIK and see what they have to offer, so cheers for that!

Everyone has different opinions it seems on hagwons and public schools, though although I know its a bit risky I think id rather work in a hagwon with other eng lang teachers than alone in a public school - regardless of cash... id rather be skint than feel really isolated... i think!!

Any cash I make ill use to travel round Asia at the end of the year so shouldn't need to worry too much about the won/pound exchange rate hopefully, will prob have spent the lot!!

Just one more question... is there one partuicular area that anyone could recommend to live in, id rather live somewhere central with a bit of buzz and maybe the chance of bumping into the odd english speaker every now n again (i don't speak much korean yet!) - was thinking Gangnam now as been a bit put off Guri haha!

O and Ive heard a bit about a security deposit... sounds a bit like just a normal house rent deposit to me, but is there anything I should do to make sure I actually get it back from the thieving gypsies??!

[dirkdiggler]

Go through Flying cows If your a brit. They have been great to me and every Brit I have met out here. Its so much easier using them as they are based in the UK. They seem to pick the best schools.

Dont worry though, bring your british sense of humour and work ethic and youll fly out here, they love it. Once a Hagwan goes British they never look back, were not as whiny as some of our cousins.

[dirkdiggler]

[BS.Dos.]

There are others who'll sing the praises of their particular hagwon, but by and large, you really, really should consider a public school. I hear your concerns about not wanting to be 'isolated', but remember that Korea is a pretty small country. The public transport is generally good, efficient and reliable and you'll unlikely to be more than an hour's bus ride from a sizable urban environment. The foreign community is, for the most part, pretty tight and you'll probably make new friends pretty quickly. Ultimately, it depends on you. If a healthy social life is your thing, then a city is probably best, but if you're reasonably content to spend monday to friday on your own, save money and do your own thing etc, then the smaller towns are okay.