Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bundangbear]

Greetings!

I just arrived in Korea this week. I have taught in Japan and in the US, where I am from. I have read so many horror stories and such on the net, that, despite what many of my pals who are here had told me, I believed what people were saying: Korea sucks, all hagwons suck, and don't go. Well, I beleive that could not be further from the truth, based on my first week. This is so much better than working in Japan, and everything is all strawberries and new appliances. (Literally and metaphorically.)

I think most people who post stuff like "This life sucks" do have bad situations, but most people who have good situations don't post anything. People love to vent, but when things are going well, who needs to vent to the support group known as Dave's?

So, I landed, and was greeted at the airport. My apartment had all new, as in in-the-box-new TV, VCR, microwave, rice cooker, kitchen ware, stereo, bedding, and there was even the next days breakfast in the fridge--jam, milk, bread, apples, water. I work 4 hours a day, 6 days a week, and the owner of the school is really cool and friendly. I get 2.3 million. All the other teachers are great. I asked for an advance of 500,000, and I received it the next day. The job is in a really nice and modern area of Bundang, near Samsung Plaza.

I know this sounds too good to be true, and if I were not living it, I may be skeptical, too, especially after all the horror stories out there.

How did I get this job? I did my homework. I had friends who advised me, and I only accepted a school that met ALL (not some--all) of my criteria. I spent 6 months broke and living with my family doing this job search, and it was worth every second of it. I DID NOT USE A RECRUITER. I TALKED TO THE SCHOOL DIRECTLY. I suggest you do the same. And the school asked a lot of questions about My teaching style and my experiences. (Yes, this school would probably not have hired me fresh out of college--they want teachers with some ESL experience.) Id they show so much concern about the kids, then they must care somewhat about the teachers. In my case, a lot.

I honestly hope this helps some of you out. There are good places out there: do your homework. Thanks!

[Imbroglio]

I like hearing good news... good for you!

[Harvard Material]

Does sound nice bundangbear. Does this school have a name?

[rapier]

sounds good, well done. I'm interested to hear your impressions after a couple months (hopefully still good).

[kangnamdragon]

I hope the majority of jobs are really like this.

[Bulsajo]

I'd be willing to bet BB works next to Chorim station and lives in an office-tel on the other side of the Lotte Dept store, am I right BB?

[Gollum]

[bundangbear]

Yes, after a few months my impression very well might change. Ok, i'm charmed a good bit by Bundang, but I'm on a visit to a buddy that lives in Songtan, and this area is SOOOOOOOO sdifferent from where I live. Yup, all Korea is not Bundang. A lot of it is poor and depressed and the people are more pushy. But I haven't even seen a cigarette butt on the street yet in my neighborhood.

NOPE. I live a short bus ride or slightly long walk from Seohyeon Station, where Samsung Plaza is. I've been to the Sunae Station area around the Lotte Dept. store and it is soooooooo much more run down and crappy than my neighnborhood. It's the nicest neighborhood i've ever lived in. I come from poor, working class (pulp and paper work is family--does anybody know how crappy that work is??) family, so i'm not trying to brag or BS, I'm just sharing my own shock and amazement at my great situation with all you out there.

Granted, things change, and I'm a pretty bi-polar kinda guy myself, but, ya gotta admit, when you're on the high end of the bi-polar thing, life is as grand and wonderful as it ever could be. And just a month ago I was slaving my ass off and living paycheck to paycheck teaching 8 hours a day with an evil boss and I got yelled at if students didn't renew thier contracts--this was in Toride, Japan. And I lived in a closet and slept on the floor and it cost 20 dollars toi take a train one way into Tokyo. Anyhow, thanx for listening....

pundang pear...uh, pundang bear...bundangbear

[Bulsajo]

[eamo]

[Bulsajo]