Korean Job Discussion Forums

vinohrady · Joined: 20 Oct 2009

Hello all,

my name is Nick, I am 26 and from England. I am moving to South Korea early next year to teach and have two options to choose from. Basically I need some advice from people who know both private and/or EPIK teaching. I have two offers...

I have an offer from EPIK to start Feb'10. As you all know I won't be aware of the exact location/age group for a while but I chose Daego, Busan, Incheon and Jeju.

I also have an offer from a friend who is working in Jeonju to take his job when he finishes in Jan'10. He works for a private school but from what I have heard it has all been ok and he's had a great time. Haven't heard of any pay disputes or any other of the classic problems associated with PS's.

So, which option should I choose? I liked the idea of EPIK over private based on what limited research I have done but it's so hard to know how both systems work without first hand accounts. One thing that really concerns me and that is vital to me being happy over there will be meeting people like me. It's important for to have a good social life as well as feeling comfortable in my worklife. With EPIK I understand I would be the only native English speaker in the school. If this is the case, how would I meet people? Of course I am happy to meet Korean people but having lived and worked abroad before I understand it is nice to mix your friends between locals and expats. How difficult is it to establish a good base of friends after you arrive?

Basically I want to choose the option that will give me the best quality of life both in terms of teaching and outside of work.

Any help, advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Nick

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

Also look into SMOE and GEPIK, they also deal with public schools. SMOE deals with Seoul, and GEPIK deals with the surrounding areas.

andrewchon · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject:

Take the Joenju job.

Bog Roll · Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Location: JongnoGuru country. RIP mate.

Kurtz · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me

Busan- Not a bad place, OK beaches, but in general a homogenous Korean city
Daegu- As above without the beaches of course, it's kind of spread out but only been there briefly, doesn't seem too special
Incheon-Usual Korean city, folks in general don't seem to rate it highly
Jeju- beautiful but kind of isolating

Keep in mind that you'll be entering a Korean public school and all the fun that entails, like potential resentment, large class sizes etc.

Jeonju is a very nice city and if you're only coming for a year and know of a reputable school, I'd take that option.

nomad-ish · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject:

i'd look into canadian connection. i believe they hire specifically for the incheon board of education so you would know for certain which city in korea you're heading to. although people don't rate it too highly, there are a lot of foreigners there (it's the third largest city in korea) and if you're in the bupyeong area you'll definitely have a good time!

edit: plus bupyeong is close to seoul; about an hour, depending on where in seoul you're going.

smoggy · Joined: 31 Jul 2009

After 2 months in Daegu, I am bored. I like the teaching, but I have climbed the local mountain quite a few times, I have seen Palgong Park a few times, gone to the local eateries, gone to the opera and now I want a change of city. Every time I go to Seoul, I want to kick my recruiter. It is so exciting & Daegu is so boring. The good thing is that I always save 1 mil. won - and my medical care that I pay 200,000 w for gets reimbursed by my US insurance. So I save more actually. There is enough night life.

VanIslander