Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chr1s]

Hi,
I am a 23 year old from the UK considering travelling to Korea in March 2011 to teach English. The plan is to travel south-east asia from January to March and then head to Korea to pick up work. I have spent some time researching this but have several questions and would welcome any possible advice from this board.

Firstly, when is the main hiring season? As stated above I would like to travel for a couple of months before coming to Korea, but Im willing to be flexible. If most of the recruiting is Feb or May I could possibly change my plans.

The main area of contention for me is my situation with regard to picking up work close to my girlfriend. From reading some of the information on here it is often difficult to get placements together. Ideally we would like to work in Busan. How realistic is this arriving in March 2011? I have read much about Hogwans/recruiters/EPIK and to be honest much of the information I am reading is conflicting and different for each person. Firstly, as part of the EPIK programme can we request to be placed in the same city? Is there a section within the application form which allows us to make it clear we would only like to partake in the programme if we are placed together. I am concerned by some of the posts whereby people don�t find out where they are placed until they arrive in Korea! That isn�t suitable for us at all and if true I don�t think the EPIK programme would be suitable for us. Also I understand that it is not possible to request a shared apartment unless you are married. If this is the case would it be possible to take a housing allowance each and source our own apartment together whilst teaching on the EPIK programme? If not, is it possible for one of us to accept the housing with the job and the other to accept the housing allowance in addition to a salary.

One avenue I am considering is simply applying to the programme and if they don�t offer us a placement together turning them down. Is this wise, can it affect a future application to teach in the country? (this isn�t even possible if you don�t find out were placed until arriving in Korea)
The other option I am considering would be simply to apply for jobs in schools as individuals within the same city(BUSAN). How likely is it that we would be able to use the two housing allowances put together and source our own apartment. Is it easy to travel across the city each day to work?

Also, do public schools recruit outside of the main programmes- the only one of which I know about is EPIK. What are the others and why are they different?

When I was browsing through the jobs section on this site occasionally couples jobs were listed. How trustworthy are recruiters/ and are there any in particular I should be aware of for the purpose of applying as a couple?

That brings me to my next question- when applying to recruiters as a couple am I likely to seem as too much hassle and application binned? From what I have read couples are often placed in the positions difficult to fill/ such as rural areas. Is this the case?

Worth noting- the �couples positions� are not entirely necessary- but living in the same city and same apartment is a must.
Any suggestions or advice would be welcomed/also anyone whos had an experience/situation similar to ours please let us know.

[sesyeux]

pro tip: sort out all your documentation before leaving as you have to have a visa interview in your home country for your first E2 visa. i realised this in vietnam so had to fly back. nightmare.

[air76]

I would definitely recommend that you apply as a couple...it's the only way to ensure that you'll have the same apartment and same schedule and live nearby.

My girlfriend and I have always applied as a couple and it's never been an issue...even when interviewing for university jobs we applied as a couple.

When you apply as a couple you are MUCH safer....for one, you'll get a nicer apartment, but if you're going the hagwon route the big pull is that with two of you they are less likely to try and pull the wool over your eyes. You've got a lot more leverage if they risk losing 2 employees instead of one.

I would recommend that you try and line up a job before you leave the UK...line it up for a couple months in advance and then just take off on your trip as soon as it's all sorted. For one thing, you could ask for cash instead of a ticket to Korea, tell them that you'll make your own way there but that you want 1 million won each upon arrival for your flight.

[chr1s]

thanks for the replies - air76- how did you find dealing with the recruiters as a couple? Where they less interested?

Im thinking of doing exactly as you suggested in that I will try and secure a post before leaving on my trip and hopefully claim the money for the flight.

Also- Is it a requirement i get a visa before leaving the UK. This involves an interview at a Korean embassy? Not that easy if there is only one korean embassy in the UK and it's in London (400 miles away from Glasgow).

[morrisonhotel]