Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rachel2003]

Hi,
For those of you who are considering going through EPIK, you might be close to changing your mind after reading some of the criticism it has received on this forum.

I know that a lot of people have incredibly negative views on EPIK but my boyfriend and I are having a great time over here. Also, we're currently running a poll on our website which, so far, has yielded very positive results.

http://strange-lands.com/2010/05/epik-poll.html

Most of the friends we've made here also have had excellent experiences. Obviously there are things that we don't find great over here but no job is without fault.

[Solarian]

Isn't the only alternative to EPIK a hagwon?
Having worked in a hagwon for 8 months now, I would honestly be wiped out in a nuclear attack by KJI than continue to work there. There is honestly nothing worse than working in a hagwon.

[thegadfly]

Well, every hakwon I have worked in has been more pleasant than working in a US public school...there are bad jobs everywhere and of every type, but there are also good ones. I prefer hakwons to public schools in Korea (and the US for that matter), but that is just my own experience and opinion....

[Rachel2003]

Actually, there are a number of alternatives to EPIK; like SMOE, GEPIK, and applying directly to the schools/universities themselves.

[theshadowranger]

I liked EPIK until they rejected my application earlier this week and wouldn't tell me why. I'm looking at all of the alternatives so that I can return to Korea.

[guava]

[theshadowranger]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooook

[Troglodyte]

[JD_Tiberius]

[xratnqmx]

I dont know if its EPIK or the school systems here.. but they like to abide by the contract when it's convenient for them. Im sick of being screwed over but I know a lot of people who have had nothing but great experiences soo I guess it's a toss up

[NYC_Gal]

Incheon hires through a recruiter, and not EPIK. The contract is not an EPIK contract, but is (as far as I know) identical. I had to go on an EPIK training thing last year, so it is under the jurisdiction of EPIK, but you'll have better luck through recruiters.

Korean Horizons is one of the recruiters for Incheon, if you don't mind being in a satellite city to Seoul (about an hour [sometimes less] by train). I like it here.

[Hank the Iconoclast]

The EPIK middle schools I had in Buyeo were quite good. I had wonderful co-teachers and students. Wanted to stay another year but my wife couldn't handle the rural area. The EPIK high schools I worked in Haman, in Gyeongsangnam-do, were a joke. Conversation English has little place in the Korean high school. Total waste of time and glad to be working at a university. Feel sorry for the person who eventually replaced me.

[jamiemexi]

What is the best company to apply to?

[Ramen]

[passport220]