Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tres1981 · Joined: 04 Mar 2009

Long time reader, first time poster here. I'm consindering the move to teach ESL in Korea, ideally leaving in August and was looking for some advice.

I was in the JET program for 3 years after college and unfortunately moved back to the US just in time to watch the job market tank. Granted I've got an ok job now that pays the bills, barely. However my company is looking to downsize in the coming months and I've got the sinking suspicion that I will be one of the ones cut.

I considered Korea really for 2 reasons. A. It's not Japan. Been there, done that. Had a great time but want to try something new. (Plus, they won't let me do JET again, I've asked.) B. The financial opportunity.

Even though the won is tanking now, with the kind of start up costs associated with moving to Japan, it'd still be a better deal. Outside of JET, even with private placement comapnies, when you think of paying for your flight, potential key money, start up costs and then spending money until your first paycheck, you're looking at potentially $3,000-$5,000 easy to move to Japan

I'm not going to lie, the money is a driving factor. I'd really be doing this just to get away for a year or so into a job that is at least relatively secure and pays enough. I'd rather move away and teach ESL for a year than get another job over here only to leave it in six months or be laid off.

So onto the questions. I was thinking about the EPIK program just b/c it is somewhat, if only in ideals, similar to JET. Is it too late to apply to still get in for August though? How much do you think, all things considered, the start up costs for moving to Korea would be? Does anyone know anything about Teach Away, Inc. or Aclipse? With the won the way it is now, I'd need to save about 1,000,000 a month just for this to be feasible. I know it's been asked 1,000 times over but how probable is that? Also, I'm considering either Jeju or Busan. Any tips?

Any advice or answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

michaelambling · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Location: Paradise

Tres1981 · Joined: 04 Mar 2009

When I lived in Japan I lived in a small town, population around 5,000. But I was also about a 15 minute drive from a 'bigger' city and about an hour away from a city with a population of about 750,000. I kind of prefer the country-side but I always like being near a city.

I was thinking Jeju just b/c of how beautiful I've heard it is and Busan both b/c of it's size and also that it's really close to where I lived in Japan.

I know they exist, although I don't know the word for them, but how prevelant are spas (onsens in japanese)? I was fortunate enough to live in an area in Japan that had an abundance of them and they're a great way to relax and kill a couple of hours. Wherever I go, I hope there're a lot close by. What do you think about my making it in time for August? Do you know if there's still time for Epik?

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

Korea's small. You can be in a city in an hour from pretty much anywhere. Obviously, the SE and NW are the main urban areas. With regard to the latter, Busan, Changwon, Masan etc are all close to one another. You'd probably be able to find a small town through EPIK, which is a stones throw from either of those places and yet still has all the countryside aspects you're looking for.

You're fine for August. Spend a few weeks on here to get the lowdown first and then maybe start things moving along around the end of April'ish. The process has changed since I arrived, but I think you should get everything sorted in 3-months.