Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mpark]

Hi all,

I'm going to Korea for the first time, got a year long contract with SMOE starting at the end of August. Can anyone tell me is it a good idea to bring gifts to a school when starting there? If so what type of gifts should I bring? I'm particularily interested as I'll be looking for two weeks vacation at the start of December to fly home for a family wedding and was thinking it might be wise to butter up the school principal from the outset so as to make it easier to get the vacation time. Will this work????

Cheers

[Kikomom]

Yes, something commemorative of where you come from, your hobby, favorite sports, etc. works. Make sure you wrap it neatly in festive paper and present it to your boss with BOTH hands (Korean tradition). Don't feel bad if it is put aside to be opened later, that's another Korean tradition.

[ChinaBoy]

You will NOT get vacation time during school. Prepare to be fired.

[rationality]

[Mpark]

Hmm, I'm coming from Ireland, is it ok to give Alcohol, like a bottle of Irish Whiskey?

[PigeonFart]

Do not give them anything until you know them better. They could be a right bunch of kunts (as the Germans say).

[Theo]

[Jessie41]

[andrewchon]

Take an unpaid vacation. Your co-teacher will do your lessons and plot, plot, plot. Most like scenario is what happened when I went to 3night/4day GEPIK O. No lessons what so ever, picked from where we left off and that was that.

[bobbybigfoot]

Over two years ago, I brought a bunch of gifts (alcohol) as I read that this was the polite thing to do and I wanted to get off on the right foot. On the first day, I gave a bottle of ice wine to my manager. Perhaps I got a thank you, but I do remember being so underwhelmed that I decided NOT to give away the other gifts. A year later, however, I gave the rest to my girlfriend's family who quite appreciated them.

I had this notion that I was a "guest" invited to Korea to teach. I had this image of Koreans as being super polite, respectful and serious students.

Boy, did I learn fast.

To be fair, I'm in the "big hagwon" side of things.

[blackjack]

You can bring gifts but don't do it on the first meeting. If your principal makes an effort to take care of you in the first week, takes you out blah blah blah, then give it (if you want).

look at it this way, would a new Korean teacher at the school give gifts to the principal?

[bobbybigfoot]

[blackjack]

[oldfatfarang]

Save your money. I've given gifts (and not given gifts) at 2 public schools. I've also given extra gifts on returning from overseas vacations. It's a nice thought - but............... it won't get you any more special treatment. Your school is either going to treat you well, or they aren't. I don't think gift-giving will help much.

Case in point. Despite giving my P and 2 VP's gifts on arrival, and throughout the year - they've just cancelled my extended vacation. They've also scheduled extra summer classes so I can't leave Korea. I'm resigning because of it - and I feel a little hurt that our 'special relationship' didn't allow them to bend the rules for me (a very faint hope in Korea).

My advice, I'd save your money for paying for those little 'surprises' that Korean management (and their lack of forward planning etc) springs on you, i.e., (1) paying 30,000 won to extend your ARC because they switch your contract dates when you first arrive (2) paying 50,000 won in flight cancellation fees when they reneg on your vacation plans.

Good luck.

[Dodgy Al]

If you are working for SMOE then you don't know which school you'll be at. Your recruiter also doesn't know. The chances of you getting that time off is slim-to-nothing. Best of luck though.