Korean Job Discussion Forums

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

I've actually applied to both GEPIK and SMOE (through different recruiters) and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice.

I have all the documents ready to send to GEPIK but I'm wondering if I should wait to hear back from SMOE before I do so.

I think I would prefer Seoul, but I dont know what my chances are as I only have a bachelors and I plan to take a TEFL course for the pay bump.

Does GEPIK tend to fill up quickly since it is so close to Seoul?

Would I be relatively safe holding off on GEPIK for maybe another week to wait to hear from SMOE?

Any advice would be great!

Totti · Joined: 24 Nov 2007

With GEPIK you can have more of a say in where you're located though it's not certain. Areas such as Bucheon, Anyang, Ilsan and Bundang seem to be the most popular areas and aren't too far from the decent areas of Seoul.They also seem to have enough going on without feeling the need to go to Seoul every week.

You also start off with a better wage as well for a newbie with GEPIK. 1.8 in Seoul won't go too far with SMOE, but if you're in it for the long term it won't be too bad as the pay scale goes higher( though you could start with GEPIK then transfer to SMOE next year).

It's getting a bit more competitive for positions this year, but in saying that I think you can hold off for another week.

climber159 · Joined: 02 Sep 2007

I've worked for SMOE and GEPIK. My experience has been that SMOE is better organized than GEPIK. However, as an English teacher you deal very little with the education offices. Your actual experience will be influenced more by the individual school you're placed at. There are good and bad schools in SMOE and GEPIK. It's luck that determines what you get.

If you're a city person and need frequent interaction with other foreigners then you're best to apply to SMOE and live in Seoul. If you apply to GEPIK there are areas that have higher concentrations of foreigners than others (Incheon, Bundang, Ilsan, Suwon, etc.). Keep in mind that if you go with GEPIK it is very possible that you will be placed in a school that has never had a foreign teacher, is one or two hours from Seoul, is in a town with no other foreigners.