Korean Job Discussion Forums

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

A friend of mine is considering a position at this school. Does anybody have any experience with this school, or know someone who does or did? Info and comments welcomed!

Korean International School (Bucheon):
http://www.kicschool.com/index_eng.php

t1m1ty · Joined: 24 May 2009 Location: Bundang

I was actually looking into this school myself, but couldn't find anything relevant at all.

Oreovictim · Joined: 23 Aug 2006

I don't know anything about this school. You can always check the hagwon blacklist that's on Facebook. Maybe they have some dirt on this school.

Just let your friend know this: just because it's a so-called "Christian" school, don't think for a second that they won't rip you off.

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

Yup, oreovictim, that's what I told her.

AminoUp · Joined: 19 Nov 2008

A friend of mine just finished his contract with that school, and had a really unpleasant experience, including being threatened, called a 'bad teacher', had money withheld from his paycheck... the list goes on and on.

Based on his complaints, I wouldn't recommend working there.

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

AminoUp, thanks a lot for the information. Much obliged! Very sorry to hear about your friend's experience. Wish I could say that I'm surprised, but after the experince I had in Korea, I'm not. Thanks, again!

silverquill · Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Location: Cheonan, Korea

Under no circumstances sign a contract with this school!

My wife and I signed a contract a year ago. The day after we arrived, we were told that we would NOT be teaching at their school in Bucheon, but were being sent to a new branch camp in a very rural, isolated area in another province. Actually we loved it there very much. But, also, we were required to sign a theological statement with which we didn't fully agree. This was yet another surprise.

We thought we had the ideal situation until the end of the term when we were told we would not be paid for several weeks until the first winter camp started. Then, the second winter camp was canceled and we were told we would not be paid for six weeks until the spring term started. This affected seven or eight of us, and our arguments were to no avail.

They day after classes started, they closed our branch campus. We were fortunate enough to get a letter of release, and we immediately signed a contract through a university to teach in public schools in another province.

We consulted an attorney who told us they were not only in violation of labor laws but probably immigration laws. Only after we filed with the Labor Dept. did they settle with us. Much of what they said in the negotiations was untrue.

Our fellow teachers, in the same boat, also demanded their back pay, but were refused. One was called "unchristian." They also falsely represented our case and presented sheer fabrications to these teachers and the Labor Dept. As of this date, I'm not sure if they have reached a settlement. And that is just the part of the horror story - hours expected beyond the contract and other unreasonable demands. The school is facing other serious lawsuits, and it would not surprise me if the school goes under. It is utter chaos.

Email me privately if you need any further details, or if you want to know about good Christian schools here in Korea. We're in an excellent situation now, and plan to be here several more years.

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

Woo-wee, silverquill, thanks for the info. Glad to know you and your wife got yourslefves into something better! Fortunately, my friend passed on the school a week ago, and has signed with a different school. Many thanks to all of you for your input!

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

In Korean, 'christian' is interchangable with 'sucker' depending on who the boss is.

stevy · Joined: 12 Feb 2008

yeah i worked there for a 18 months and had a good time ^.^

DAC · Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Location: South Korea

I've worked in both situations, Christian and non-Christian. You get good and bad people in both. Don't expect all Christians to be somehow "better" than you (or better than what you figure normal to be), otherwise you're in for disappointment. Some are sincere, some are simply living under the label, and yet others mistreat people like some non-Christians do, and then use Christianity as a weapon to make you feel guilty (especially if you are also Christian).

Check it out for yourself if you're interested, read the fine print, take time to think the contract over, and realize that Christian schools are just as capable of making things sound better than they are, as are non-Christian schools.

Any organization is ultimately accountable to law, but stay away from stand-alone schools, Christian or not, as it is much easier for them to slip through the cracks should things turn bad.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I would love it if all national and state schools and universities, or any private school for that matter, could make people sign a document stating that they wouldn't talk about religion, practice it openly, or pray should they get the job.

Your religious status should be like your sexual preference. Nobody needs to know, and they definitely don't need to be able to know by looking at you. If you want to tell people, fine, but don't expect the right to work with only 'like minded people'. What a load of crap.