Korean Job Discussion Forums

dietdrpeppersoda

I will be attending American TESOL Institute (ATI) in Thailand in late August. After this class, they have a guaranteed job placement in Korea. They told me that since I only have an 2.8 GPA university average, that I would have to teach at GEPIK in the Gyeonggi Province. This concerned me, because I don't want to work in the sticks.
I wrote ATI, and they stated: "Rural means in the suburb of Seoul that is in the Gyeonggi province and the positions are located is remote areas. But you will get more salary as well as perks due to that."
What are these schools like?
How are rural areas for teaching?
Should I just find a headhunter, instead of using ATI school job placement program, and find job in a larger city?

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

Gyeonggi can vary alot.
On the one end of the spectrum you have cities with over a million people and a population density of 16,000/km (FYI, New York City's density is 10,000/km) so very urban and built up.

On the other hand you have schools which are located in small villages literally alongside rice paddies.

Seems like ATI is trying to place you in the latter. The plus side of working in 1 of those schools is, you get an extra 100,000won a month ($75?) and an extra 5 days vacation. The negative is that you are out in the sticks. But you'll be no more than 45mins-1hour from a major city (in most cases, Seoul or Suwon).

My view: Gyeonggi is fine, but if you don't want a rural area, then get an urban school. Your recruiter is BS'ing you about the GPA, obviously he's not going to say, "we only have rural positions right now, try xyz recruiter".

FYI, rural Gyeonggi schools have a hard time getting teachers as teachers normally don't want to work rural. As such many schools hire their own recruiters (who are often just getting into the game, and don't have contracts with the major hiring bodies yet) to get them teachers, and pay better.

PS. i Work in a rural Gyeonggi school - apart from the 5 days vacation/100k a month I don't see any great benefits. Overall it's a decent gig, my co-teacher was great last year so I liked it alot, this year my new one sucks, so I hate it. But the admin is decent, always paid on time, and apart from the co-teacher no real complaints. I live in Suwon (major city) and commute (30-40mins), otherwise I don't think I could take it. Many of my friends who also work Gyeonggi-rural, seem to enjoy it overall.

andrewchon · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:37 am Post subject:

I've never heard of GEPIK counting GPA as placement criteria.

As otherside does, you can live in city and work in rural. I do too. Rural schools tend to have small class sizes. That can be a plus if you are a rookie teacher. Parents are not as demanding (compared to Seoul). Student are not as snobbish (compared to Seoul). Don't have worry about crime. Downside is loneliness. GEPIK organises get-togethers now and then.

tjyoung · Joined: 21 May 2009

Is there a website which lists which areas are designated rural? I'm fairly sure I am, but doubt if school would agree (extra vacation, salary).

poeticjustice · Joined: 28 Feb 2009

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

andrewchon · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:22 pm Post subject: rural-ness

tjyoung
tell us where your school is.

poeticjustice
you just made my day.

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

okayden223 · Joined: 05 Jun 2009 Location: Incheon

I happen to think you could do a lot worse than Suwon....A LOT worse.

tjyoung · Joined: 21 May 2009

Ah nuts ~ it's in Naeu-dong, so I guess that's urban? Despite the fact it's a 30 minute busride from Hwajeong station into the rice paddies...

Epicurus · Joined: 18 Jun 2009

kerbythepurplecow · Joined: 02 Mar 2009

I live in Osan which is one of those nice, million people plus, built up urban-type areas. I work in Song-ri which is one of those rural, next to the rice paddies, little villages. This little rural village is about 10 minutes by car away from the large city. It takes me about 20 minutes to get to school (10 minute walk, 10 minute bus). It takes my wife a 30 minute walk. I am rural, she is not. It's really a crap-shoot in GEPIK.

KuroBara · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:27 pm Post subject:

Also, take into account that your school may be in a rural area, but where you actually live may not be. That's my case, anyway. I work in rural Paju, but live in Ilsan, which is a pretty happening place. I take a 15 min. bus ride. I still get the rural perks of pay and vacation, since that's based on your school, not your residence. Don't let "rural" scare you. Smile

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

I look at it this way....they are not kidnapping you and forcing you to work in the sticks...you are coming to a country on your own free will and should accept where ever they place you..suck it up for a year...pay your dues, network, make friends and as your contract nears end...start looking around for what you would like. Thousands before you have had to endure hardships and learn.....I am not trying to sound cold...but face the facts...you might end up in the city at a school and HATE it! Just suck it up for a year and learn your way around.