Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kangasuz]

I've been preliminarily accepted to teach at a boys middle school in Masan (one more interview to go)... This is with EPIK. However, I may have an opportunity to teach with GEPIK... Is there really much difference between the two?

To add to that, I have an interview with a private elementary school in Yangju City.

Based on location, would you recommend Masan, which I understand in about an hour to Busan, one of the "Seoul Suburbs," where GEPIK positions are located, or Yangju City, which is also about an hour to Seoul?

Any advice is appreciated!

[thecount]

When you reference Busan as "one of the Seoul suburbs," are you sure you do not mean Bucheon?

Busan is very big -the second biggest city in South Korea, I believe-
but it is nowhere near Seoul.

Bucheon, on the other hand, is GEPIK and is relatively close to Seoul.

It also happens to be a nice place.

[kangasuz]

thecount -- I think my initial posting was a bit confusing... I was listing the places where I could potentially be placed:

1. Masan -- about an hour away from Busan
2. Suburb of Seoul (exact location unknown as GEPIK doesn't inform you of your school's locale until you arrive... at least, this is my understanding).
3. Yangju City -- about an hour from Seoul, according to one website.

I've heard Bucheon is nice... I might actually interview for a hagwon position located in Bucheon...

Any personal advice re: Bucheon hagwon v. GEPIK v. EPIK/Masan v. private elem. school in Yangju? (Yes, I've read all the pro/con threads, etc.)

What's your experience?

[vonnegutjr]

Go private. Epik/Gepik are going downhill...

[JBomb]

I'm working EPIK in Busan right now and it has been great. Not too turned on by the lack of holiday time for Hagwons. Masan is apparently pretty nice though. My co-teacher is from there. They also just voted to join with Changwon and Jinhae to form a new megacity so it might be quite the interesting place to check out.