Korean Job Discussion Forums

alphakennyone · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: city heights

A couple parts that stuck out for me:

The teacher may be required to work at more than one location and may claim no additional pay.

The accommodation part is great too, how you cannot change your apartment if you don't like it (even if you want to pay for it). And the employer "may" furnish it with things like a bed, hot plate, etc...no mention of an air conditioner.

I'm still going to process my application, but if I see something better come along in another country, I'll go for it.

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

how much?

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Check the "SMOE Warning: Co-op Residence" thread about a similar housing snafu.

SMOE has a many good things going for it, but the recently changed housing clause and the on-going placement of some teachers at the Co-op should make people nervous.

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

alphakennyone · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: city heights

Uh, which jobs in Korea don't "hook you up" with a place to live, apart from a few of the adult hagwons (most which give a housing allowance).

Hey DC James, come work for me. I got a shack in my backyard you can live in. And you better damn well be grateful for it. No, there's no heater, but I'm sure you can rub two sticks together. No, you cannot choose to live elsewhere, even if it is at cost to you.

"You can just love it or leave it, Tommy" - Tom Cruise, _Born on the 4th of July_

But thanks for the idea of buying an air-con unit. Wouldn't that be fairly expensive to set up? Am I going to be drilling holes into the wall for the exhaust to go out?

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

alphakennyone · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: city heights

Silly analogy. There are several different cost/benefit analyses to think of when considering public schools or a hagwon - public schools generally come out on top, but decent housing isn't guaranteed anywhere. And it's pretty easy to switch jobs in one's home country. It's a hassle and a half to do it in Korea. And whether it's SMOE or a hagwon, it's all a crap-shoot.

I don't know if you have something against public schools, or if you're just trolling for the sake of it. But yes, I am sure that in your infinite wisdom and patience, you have found a position better than 95% of public schools and hagwons. Kudos to you.

One would just hope public schools in the capital of Korea would in some way be standardized in their living situations, but they're clearly not.

BTW, if you noticed in my first post, I said I'd still be looking for something better while processing my application.

dean_burrito · Joined: 12 Jun 2007

Sometimes people need to move. I work for SMOE and I put up with my accomodation for a year but to put up with it for two years is not an option for me.
Situations do occur where you need to move out. I live on top of a factory and am surrounded by factories on all sides. Gas and paint fumes are always coming inside for me to gag on. I went to the hospital for breathing problems a couple of times this year. My school has agreed to move me if I resign.
So DcJames I think you just aren't considering the variables involved. SMOE won't help you move. SMOE won't help you with too much once you get here acutally. They'll pay you on time and won't skimp on your check but in all other areas you'll have to sort things out with your school.
I do know some people that have moved mid contract for similar reasons. So it's possible to get a new place if you want. Just not easy since leases will normally be by the year.

prideofidaho · Joined: 19 Mar 2008

I think the thing to remember is that there are hundreds upon hundreds of SMOE NESTs, and if all of them had to move, that would be chaos, right?

I moved mid-contract and it wasn't an issue for me, but I know others have had problems. In fact, I have friends who have mold problems and the have not been moved after repeatedly asking their district and schools.

If you sign the contract, then be prepared to run into difficult situations if you want to move.

All I can say is that I am very happy to have my own housing outside of SMOE.

sulperman · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

I think the contract is quite good. 500K for a housing allowance is not bad at all. Have you compared it to any other jobs?

1.3 for the flight. 300 settlement. 2.0 + 2 weeks re-signing bonus. Not bad at all.... If you've done your research, you know somewhat what you are getting into with SMOE. That is to say, you don't know at all- every school is different. The contract seems pretty basic to me, and I have signed and completed a few in my day.

Either you want the job or you don't. But I see no problem with this contract.