Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mheller]

Hello. I have arrived at my GEPIK school in the Suwon area and am extremely disappointed. I am a 30 minute walk from the nearest: well anything really. I live in an industrial area. I chose the location because I wantd a more urban setting than I had last year. Downtown area is grweat, but not near my apartment. I was not greeted by my school, instead I was presented with a map and they told me they would see me next week when school started. I was unfamilar with the location and thererfore fend for myself. I arrived here and have been sent to an office in which noone has even said hello to me.
I really dislike the set-up with just about everything here from the teaching style to the housing to the area to my coworkers.
I understand i sound like a whining baby, but I have already expressed my concerns with my school and to no avail.
I am not looking for criticism, but asking how does one go about breaking a contract for which has only been implemented for a week. I know there will be no way for me to adjust to this situation for the year.
I wanna just leave and go to Seoul and work an after-school program.

Any ideas how to leave?

[Clockout]

You need to obtain a letter of release from your principal.

Have you been in Korea before? If not, I would strongly suggest hanging in there for 1-2 months before giving up.

Many schools have not had a foreign teacher before and might not be sure how to handle it. Of course there is no excuse for not saying "hi" to you. You should have an English speaking co-teacher -- do you?

[fromtheuk]

I started at my current GEPIK school in May. The first time I came to school for an introduction was strange. My co-teacher didn't appear to be helpful or welcoming at all.

The apartment is near to the school though. Last week during summer camp, after 3 months at the school, my co-teacher started to be a bit more human than before.

I would advise you to stick it out for a while and then if you still don't like it, give them 60 days notice. People say legally you need to give them 30 days notice, but the contract asks for 60.

[mheller]

I did forget to mention that I have 1 year of experience in which I taught at a public school in a very rural area in Gyeonggi-do. I was greeted warmly, even though noone could speak English. Also, they last foreign teacher, who had 2 year of prior experience teaching in korea, only lasted 7 months here. That was the first red flag..

I want to stick it out, I just cant belive how they could lack empathy completely..

[lifeinkorea]

You need to find ways to communicate without English. Look at what they are doing. Chances are they treat you different than when they interact with Koreans.

For example, say they pour another Korean tea. Regardless if you like it or not, GRAB IT, then say "Thank you". Pretend you thought it was for you.

This communicates that you are there and interested. Usually, they will laugh and giggle, and that's their way to deal with events they are uncomfortable and unfamiliar with.

Eventually, you do this long enough and you get a few of them on your side. It's not so bad after that.

[Clockout]

Yeah, stealing other people's food is generally good advice ;]

[Clockout]

[mheller]

I actually was told by my recruiter that the job was in Youngtong, in the downtown area. I did my research, i just wasnt prepared to be so far away from the actual downtown area.
Even though I knew youngtong wasnt the most urban of settings, I knew it was atleast descent..

[Carla]

[Korussian]

I know this is not what you're after in your post, but here are a few ideas for building up a relationship with Korean Public School co-workers who start out very frigid. I'm sure since you already have experience you know all of this, but it might help out some newbies.

* Bring in a bunch of food (Korean rice cakes or choco pies & Vitamin-Drinks are great for this) for the teacher's room and say you're looking forward to working with everyone.

* Choose a teacher who sits near you, and ask to borrow something or find something. It doesn't matter what, just give them a reason to talk to you. First chance you get, ask them about something in Korea - even if you already know the answer.

* Find out when the teachers that sit around you eat, and ask to sit next to them in the cafeteria. Try to eat all of the food they eat, as fast as they eat it. Ask them the names of all of the foods, even if you don't care.

[Carla]

[lifeinkorea]

[romano812]

Please read the red and white flags posting regrading GEPIK.