Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fromtheuk]

As you now know, I left my job abruptly, giving my divorce as the reason.

It was a GEPIK job.

I'd like to warn any natives who are offered a job with this school.

First, the co-teacher you'll have is called Yuri. She is unhelpful, distant and very hard to get hold of during the day.

During my summer camp she complained to me she wasn't getting paid for it. She will also micro-manage you. For example, she'll ask you to ask the students, 'Who's perfect?' after you've reviewed the answers to various questions.

If you fail to do so, she may remind you of it. She may tell you to change your lesson plans for after school classes at the last minute, you'll need to assert yourself there. She will also introduce her own activities during class, even when you've spent some time to make your own activities that she asked you to prepare in the first place.

She will also say she wants to teach most of the classes, even though GEPIK state the native should teach 80% of the class. She will talk nicely to you when she wants something, but will otherwise virtually ignore you.

Your apartment will have a leaky roof and it may wet your bed.

Your work colleagues will probably bad mouthe you outside of your office because they think it is going to be fun.

The other native teacher at the school is called Colin and he is pretty good.

If you are a newbie, don't work there. After a short while, Yuri's 'charm' combined with Korea culture shock will have you running for the hills.

You've been warned.

[Konglishman]

I really do feel a lot sympathy for you due to what you went through while you were in Korea. However, putting the names of former co-workers on a public forum, does seem unprofessional to me.

[fromtheuk]

I haven't given her full name, but I think it is fair for the information to be given. Why should anybody else have to put up with such a waste of space? (her, not me)

When I first started at this school, Yuri told me she had heard bad things about me, but wouldn't say who told her. I prefer the blunt approach. It's effective.

[Konglishman]

[Konglishman]

[fromtheuk]

True, but I've not given her full name.

[fromtheuk]

Well, I've been told by my recruiter my school want to prevent me from returning to work in Korea. I think this is fair.

[fromtheuk]

I have a Korean translator friend, he helped me during the divorce. I've sent him a letter for translation into Korean, to be sent to Suwon Immigration Office. It will include a copy of my Korean criminal check and a copy of my divorce papers.

[expat2001]

Koreans do the same. They have a black list with the name and nationality of various foreign teachers. I'd bet that the koreans even lie about what whitey did

[fromtheuk]

A letter will soon be sent to Suwon Immigration and a copy of it to the Principal:

Dear Suwon Immigration,

I recently left my public school job at Songil Elementary School, in Seojong-ri.

I got divorced in April and I felt very sad, so I decided to return to England to be with my family. I informed my school about this just before I left Korea.

My contract states I should give 60 days notice, but I left because I needed to return home to be with my family.

I paid all of my bills before I left my apartment provided by the school.

I told my school I was sorry to leave so quickly. I have been told by my
recruiter my school want to prevent me from returning to work in Korea
ever again.

I want you to know I have committed no crime while in Korea and with this letter I have included proof of my divorce and proof I am of good character.

I accept it would have been best to give 60 days notice, but due to my emotional state, I felt I needed to return to my family in England.

Lastly, my co-teacher at the school was unhelpful and not easy to work with and so I am glad to be away from that school.

Thank you for your time.

If you have anything else you want to ask me about, please contact me at:

@hotmail.com

Thank you for your time.

Yours Sincerely,

fromtheuk

I hope the bit about the unhelpful co-teacher will get back to Yuri.

[yfb]

I'd love to work at this school and post how great the co-teacher is just to prove you wrong.

[Otherside]