Korean Job Discussion Forums

nyla54 · Joined: 17 Jun 2009

I heard that Co-op Residence at Dongdaemun Stadium is not being used anymore. Perhaps wishful thinking?

Bucky · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:03 am Post subject:

nyla54 · Joined: 17 Jun 2009

mt01ap · Joined: 04 Nov 2006

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Dongdaemun Stadium, the stadium, is gone. The area and station is still called "Dongdaemun Stadium." The Co-op is still there along with all the malls and office buildings. There are SMOE NSETs in the Co-op right now. It is still being used.

sigmundsmith · Joined: 22 Nov 2007

If you are starting with SMOE in Aug/Sep and enjoy living in a room that is 2 1/2 meters wide and about 4 meters long with a very small shower/bathroom inclosed by glass (smoked for your privacy when guests are there) then request the co op.

But just know that other SMOE teachers have better housing that is more suitable for employing someone for a year.

My first year I was in there. It was good for about 2 months but once you get into a routine your attitude will change. I am leaving SMOE after 3 years. For the last 2 years I have a more suitable housing arrangement which works out cheaper for the school.

Newbies. Read the posts from page 1 to present. And make your decision after reading peoples comments and experiences.

If you decide that you don't want to live here (co op) tell your recruiter.

If after orientation your school takes you to the co op politely tell them that you requested not to be put in there and you refuse to stay there. Don't be scared they will spend the 10 minutes it taked to find a more appropriate accommodation for you.

SMOE knows that the co op is not a popular form of housing but they don't care. They are doing the Korean way. That is, the easy way and expect that not Koreans will take it and not complain.

It doesn't matter that last years recruits complained or the year before complained. Deep down they believe that it will eventually work out.

But there are some who like living there. But after a survey was done of SMOE people who where living there one year, the percentage was less than 10%.

Good luck to all you new SMOE ers

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

I'm on page 4 of this thread and read page 10, 9, 8 before that...

Is the size of the place the main complaint from co-opers?

Anyway, as I'm reading, I'm thinking about to my time in hakwons from 1996-2000, and nothing I've read so far about the co-op is worse than places I lived in. I had an officetel in Wonju. It was about like what the original poster mentioned concerning the co-op.

I really didn't find the size to be that bad. The main thing that made it fine with me was that I wasn't paying for it, so my expectations were low.

At my last school, I was married, and we had a place that made my officetel in Wonju look like a mansion. We barely had room to lay down - and had no bed.

And honestly, it was probably a great thing for our first year of marriage -- you really, really have to get along with someone to live in a space like that with them.

Most of the other places I lived involved sharing an apartment with co-workers, and for me, that was worse than an officetel. I was tired of sharing living space with people after college. I preferred my independence and privacy.

The only big benefit to me about the shared apartment was that the apartment had a regular sized fridge and sink and cooking area. But that was the only thing about it I liked better and I'd have taken an officetel in a heart beat.

Bucky · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:34 pm Post subject:

Just wondering about two things:

1. Can anyone approximate the percentage of SMOE teachers who end up at the Dongdaemun co-op? I keep reading "a lot" but then I also keep reading that some people don't know anyone living there.

2. Are there any photos available of the place (besides the promotional ones that make it look all white, shiny and clean)?

Thanks.

buildbyflying · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:33 am Post subject:

I was told during the interview that because of complaints they wouldn't be using the co-op. Doesn't mean that's guaranteed but it seems to be what currently being said by SMOE.

allan of asia · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Here, there, everywhere

i was also told this and have told my recruiter in no uncertain means that I DO NOT WANT to be assigned to a school that places teachers there - if i am i will simply not take up the position - meaning they wont get paid - so its in their interest to sort it out for me.

I can see both points of view - a school that sends teachers there knowing its unpopular is not one i wish to work at, but at the same time if they are given a good sales pitch, lots of other foreigners, well connected to transport - fairly central location no key money no hassle for them to sort out maintenance etc - it would seem the logical option from the schools' point of view.

That said I aint staying there!

laoshihao · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:05 am Post subject: Sorting out...

Just because it's in the best interest of a school to give you decent housing doesn't mean they will. Keep in mind some schools have no notice that they are receiving the foreign teacher they requested. My co-teacher had three days to find me a place on top of taking care of her regular teaching schedule. My room is small. The building was freezing through the worst part of the winter even with the ondal heating jacked up as high as possible. I broke down and bought an extra heater. I do not have a window on an outside wall. My window is on a storage area which has a window. Because my building is sandwiched between four other buildings it is very difficult to figure out the weather until I am actually outside of the building. It takes me an hour to get to school unless I shell out for a taxi. A taxi takes a mere 15 minutes. Two buses or a bus-subway combination take an hour.

I know another teacher who was being sexually harassed by a Korean man in her building. She felt it was a very unsafe place to be, yet after repeated requests for new housing, her school refused. She broke her contract and left the country for more appreciative, and secure, pastures.

Another teacher lives in a former love motel. She is of Asian descent and there are still love motels in the area she lives. She feels like it's a pretty shady place to live, but she doesn't have a choice.

If you're coming over with SMOE keep in mind that they will be technically in charge of over 1,000 teachers by the time you show up. Do you really think they care about what they consider to be petty problems? They don't. They are masters at blowing smoke up your @ss. Most of my friends aren't renewing because they particularly enjoy the job. It's just easier to stay with their current school, get that extra vacation time, and free round-trip ticket. My year was so bad I won't do it again. The extra vacation and ticket simply aren't worth it to deal with SMOE b.s. for another year.

laoshihao · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:10 am Post subject: Logic

And allan, this is Korea. Logic has no place here. If it is logical, imagine what the opposing response or action would be, and that is what will be done. Amazingly enough, I find Korea, for all it's clean-looking, shiney buildings and amazing technologies, to be more logically backward than China was.

alphakennyone · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: city heights

I bet some people will be begging for that residence co-op now that laoshihao has weighed in.

Morning_Star · Joined: 21 Jan 2009

Ugghh...so much whining. I've seen the co-op residences and they're not any worse than places I've had to live in at college and they're by far much better than dormitories. I understand most of you are probably older folks who forgot how college life is but if you want luxury, you shouldn't go teach in Korea in first place or you should arrange your own living quarters.

allan of asia · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Here, there, everywhere

as for college/university - i know its common practice to have to share in the USA, but in the UK students do not share rooms etc as a matter of course. We all have private rooms and share an off campus house after a year of living in halls of residence.

Thats off the point, i am not so old that I don't remember uni - just feel that time in my life is over as is anyone's - we all have our degrees and as a result are working adults so we deserve somewhere decent.
If they cannot provide this - they should post key money and let us get our own place. If this system wasn't in place, people would just get their own apartments.

If i decide to stay longer term - who knows - i will most likely get my own place in the 2nd year.

To previous posters - im sorry you have had a tough year. SMOE really is such a mixed bag huh?

Just I am not living in a place that forbids people staying over and having food delivered - I don't want to stay in a glorified hotel for a year. I would like to try and have something resembling a home - even if it is basic and small.