Korean Job Discussion Forums

[westies121]

Hi,

I've combed through posts related to the CEPIK program in Chungnam, but thought I would post here because I feel my questions are more individual and need a separate post. I've taken a leave of absence from my MA because I really, really need a break and thought about teaching in Korea. I need a 6 month gig, though, so I can return to school in the fall. TMEnglish contacted me about a 6 month thing with the CEPIK program and then put me in touch with Maple Consulting.

I guess I have a few questions:

(1) Is being picked up by Maple Consulting from TMEnglish unusual? Are these recruiters trustworthy? Anyone had experience with them?

(2) What is it like living in Chungnam? I guess there's no way for me to determine where I'll end up exactly, but I'd like to be near a big city (I'm gay).

(3) Any general, overall comments about CEPIK? Is it a good program?

Thanks.

[Raganji]

EDIT: Yikes! I had posted here some information about CEPIK then realized that I have experience not with CEPIK but with another program with a similar name. Please disregard my previous comments, I obviously have no clue what I am talking about.

[local711]

Westies,

I am in the same situation as you. I asked them to put me in contact with former or current teachers to hear from people who have went there what it is like. Have you found out any information since making this post?

[TheUrbanMyth]

[AsiaESLbound]

There is also Seosan which is about 150,000 people. It's not urban like Gyeonggi and Seoul, but Seoul usually takes me 2 hours to get there in the daytime and 1.5 hour at night or early morning due to traffic conditions. I'd say sacrificing some of your lifestyle is necessary, gay or straight. Even a city of 150,000 isn't hopping with straight or mixed nightclubs, but there are mixed bars where anyone goes though I wouldn't think gay people are out here. It feels more like a town of 15,000, but without fast food restaurants. You could always go to Seoul on weekends as many of us do. I go like every other weekend for a change of pace and scenary.

[eIn07912]

They appear to be recruiting aggressively. They could be a bad thing.

I'm looking for a job now (harder than you'd think for a guy with 3 years experience) and they've sent me half a dozen emails or more by multiple people.

I say it could be bad because it could mean nobody wants the job so they are willing to hire anybody. Granted they've seen my resume and photo, but I haven't interviewed with anyone or exchanged more than an email and they are sending me contracts urging me to sign them and send it in.

I seriously considered it for about 2 mins. Chungnam is way the heck out there. I hear the standard of living is high, but there's like nothing to do and no one there. I need the city, or at least be a few subway stops from the city.