Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mmstyle]

Are there any married couples that have attended SMOE orientation? I do not know if the orientation details are changing this time around from what former attendees have experienced.

My husband and I just received our notices of appointment and some info about the orientation. Three person dorm rooms, couples to be split up and they ask that teachers not leave the orientation center the whole week (Activities will be provided ).

That's just part of it. I am incensed, but that is not the point of my post.

Any married couples that were supposed to go through this and successfully had accommodation outside of the center? If yes, how did you set this up? I would appreciate any and all info you can provide if you went through this.

Also, when we started this process, as former teachers in Korea, we were told we would not be required to attend. We figured we would for networking, etc., until we found out about these conditions. Does anyone know if it is now required for ALL teachers, as I suspect it may be?

Did most/all teachers seem to follow their requests? I ask this because:
No drinking will be tolerated-which I can understand on campus, but they don't want people to leave. People will want to explore, blow off steam.....let them do it away from campus. I think that's just asking for problems.

[dean_burrito]

Ah, the Yongin 'compound.'
Bad memories.
Only one week,
you will survive.
Bring a book.

[marlow]

Sounds like a blast. I'd rather not work anywhere that respects me enough to treat me like a middle school student. Speaks volumes about SMOE and the quality of the majority of their recruits. I'd pass the whole thing and get a real job.

[dean_burrito]

Ah, Don't worry about that other guy's comment. SMOE is a good job. You'll get paid on time and they follow the contract. There is a bad school or two but most will be happy to have you. That being said you will complain from time to time but so is the story with any job anywhere.
Anyways they don't want you to leave the compound because last orientation some folks wandered off and got lost. So just mark your way or carry the address with you. There isn't much out there but some restaurants and hoffs (drinking/fried chicken joints). But still, folks are curious and are going to go exploring. I did and it's not like I got a spanking or anything.

[Bibbitybop]

I was at SMOE orientation before the Yongin compound.

A married couple got separated and said "Absolutely not. We came here, on this 'adventure,' together. We will not room apart."

SMOE didn't care.

The couple asked their roommates if they could move things around. The roommates were cool about it and they roomed together (and shared that room with 2 girls. And me one night.)

As for leaving, they said "Stay here. No alcohol."

Yeah, right. No one felt like being herded around like high school students. I left every night and drank every night, as did others. Some people brought bottles of alcohol and drank in the room.

Has enforcement changed? I don't know. But I do know you never signed anything agreeing to abstain from alcohol, to stay on the premises or to be separated from your spouse. Fight that bullshit, or ignore their pleas.

[Xuanzang]

They say no late nights, no leaving and no drinking but people did all those things. The Hyundai convenience store must have made a killing this past summer with all those trips down the hill. That being said the Hyundai institute is quite isolated and far from a subway station. Going places can be a hassle especially if you dont know Korean or Yongin or SOuthern Seoul so well.

[mmstyle]

Thanks to all. I figured people didn't really pay attention. Was your stuff safe? I don't know Southern Seoul, but speak enough Korean to communicate with cab drivers. I was concerned that there would be major issues if my husband and I went out to eat-as in, "Your fired!"

Will they confiscate stuff? I plan on getting my husband a very nice bottle of scotch (a brand that I don't recall seeing last time I was there, and would cost a fortune if it were) on our way there. Since they say no alcohol, this worries me. It's something I think he'd keep for special occasions, and I do NOT want his scotch ending up with anyone else!

I did not know that the orientation accommodation was this...shoddy, though I know the rest can be a crap shoot.

Marlow, I've been there and done that in Korea. It wasn't all it was cracked up to be, but I gather from other posts of your that you've read that you've had your share of bad jobs in Korea as well. I could conceivable end up with worse with SMOE, but considering what I put up with my last year at that job, it would take a lot.

Dean B., I don't mind being somewhere quiet, just want to be able to get decent food and walk around. Are the restaurants decent Korean food? Was the food at Yongin lousy? Why bad memories?

[marlow]

[esetters21]

They seem to be getting more stringent with each class of incoming teachers for orientation. There were a couple of married couples last time that did indeed have to room seperately. Your days will be filled with seminars and activities that allow you little free time. If you want Korean food, you are served nothing but that in the cafeteria at the compound three times a day. The Learning Center is in the middle of nowhere and is guarded at the bottom of the hill. Of course people always sneak off. Alcohol has become a big no no, and this past time several were caught and sent packing.

[Bibbitybop]

Confiscate stuff? Ha, I can only imagine the respect a trainer or supervisor got if they said "Open your suitcases, we want to check for alcohol or pornography."

But on the safety issue, when I was at orientation (not at the Yongin compound), we had 4 people to a room. Any roommate could have gone through our bags. This is a potential problem for people coming from the airport to the orientation with their bags for the year: Laptops, jewelry, etc. Plus, we had ONE key for 4 people. You just walked to the front desk and grabbed your key, no checking of IDs or anything.


The longer I worked for SMOE and the more I see how its developing now, the more I realize this fundamental truth about SMOE: The SMOE office does not respect you, care about your satisfaction, quality of life or of work, and will not help you unless your problem is black and white in the contract or handbook.

[cruisemonkey]

LOL... I hear SMOE has relaxed it's qualifications for FTs and now accepts eight-year-olds with one week's experience attending a summer 'daycamp'.

Orientation is a 'sleepover' camp boys and girls - you won't be able to call your Mommy if you have a bad dream.

[mmstyle]

Esetters, there were people who were sent home that you are aware of?

Hypothetical question-if we are willing to pay for our own accommodation in the area-is there any to be had? Will we be allowed to do so?

mmS.

....rethinking a lot.........

[esetters21]

[mmstyle]

Thanks. We will ask. I am surprised, as this whole thing actually breaks contract from day 1 (OK, not really surprising, now that I've spelled it out) as the contract requires a minimum of single housing for the duration of the contract.

Are there motels around the area?

I know we could manage, as Dean B. said, but it's really dodgy. I'm surprised I didn't find out about this while looking into SMOE.

Esetters, were those people sent home for drinking or for leaving the campus?

[cruisemonkey]