Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

I'm interested in renewing in the same POE (Busan), but changing schools. My number one concern is moving to a different part of the same city - my target area is not something I'd consider a 'destination area' like Haeundae or anything - for those who know the area, I want to live close to Kyungsung University. Other than that, I'm fairly flexible.

What are the chances that I'll be able to get this transfer? And what can you tell me about the transition - timeline, procedures? How does moving apartments take place?

Any information or advice you could give me would really help! I feel like i'm stumbling around in the dark!

[wiganer]

A year has gone quick eh? So you are enjoying yourself? Nice one!

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

Haha, I know, right? Yeah, it's been crazy! I absolutely love Korea, but my school can be a bit of a headache. O_O Anyway I commute about 2.5 hours after school to a martial arts class so as if wanting to get away from evil middle school 3rd graders weren't enough of a reason to transfer...having an extra 10 hours or so a week to lie around at home would be.

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

Bump - does anyone have any information??

[winterfall]

Don't overestimate your worth. You can't really demand things from the POE. The transfer option should be on the renewal form. You can't request specific area, You might be able to list a specific school but it's still largely a crap shoot. You might end up in a better school or worse off. It really depends on how the POE is feeling that day

If you've saved enough money for the key deposit you can move yourself and take the housing allowance. And they're "Try" to put you in a school by your house. I say "Try" cause it's really hard to tell if they care. Besides, Busan is relatively small. The most time you'll spend commuting is about an hour.

And your housing isn't decided by the POE, it's chosen by your school.
Basically just think of moving as how it was when you first came over. Your just given a new school and shown your new apartment. So you finish your current contract out, and then pack your things and leave

Your school might ask you to leave your current apartment early and you'll have to find a place to store your luggage over the summer break

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

I don't think asking, "I'd like to work/live near Kyungsung" is the same thing as demanding things from the POE. And as a second year teacher, I'm sure a heck of a lot less work for any potential co-teacher, so I don't think wanting to live near a certain (non-high-demand) part of the city is too much to ask.

And I don't really care about the quality of the school (I mean, obviously I do, but there's no way for me to say, "Please, put me in a school I'll enjoy working at.") The only thing I'm requesting is location.

And Busan is not 'relatively small'. I live near Seomyeon and commute to Yongho-dong (near Kyungsung) for my class. That's less than half the way across the city, and it still takes me about an hour both ways. Maybe if I had a motorcycle I could cut the commute in half, but there's no way in heck I'd live in Hopo and work in Jangsang, for example.

And I wouldn't be moving over summer break; I'd be moving over winter/February break. But your point is still valid.

Anyway, thank you for trying to help, but you haven't really given me any advice, you've basically just said, "You're going to be miserable and nobody will help you."

So. If anyone has any actual experiences to share or tangible advice to give me, I'd appreciate that a lot more. Thanks.

[southernman]

I transfered within the same POE, during the August break.

It's all very simple, I'm just out of Busan but on the subway line.

You get the form asking if you want to re-sign. Fill it in, heres a section for requesting a transfer. Which you fill in. How specific you want to be is up to you. I just requested getting transferred to a larger school where I could teach afterschool English classes to students.

I got a phone call from a Supervisor at the POE offering a job at a large school and she promised me afterschool English classes.

Got to my current school, yes its large but there is no afterschool English teaching jobs for me. The school have a private company to do this.

So I say go for it, but even if you get verbal confirmation from a Supervisor that your request has been met in full don't actually believe things until you are in place.

The actual Visa extension is incredibly easy.

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

Thanks for the advice. ^^ Good to know it can be done. Sorry about the afterschool classes, but I can see how that'd be an easy mistake to make...she probably just asked the school, "Do you have afterschool classes?" and didn't make sure you could teach them.

Did you get to see your school before you signed the contract? If not, when did you see it? And how did moving apartments work?

Thank you!! ^^

[winterfall]

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

[Weigookin74]

Don't think I'd want to work in Busan. I hear you're going to get evaluated every couple of months and fired on the spot? I mean according to who's standard? How stupid is that?

[Ramen]

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

I agree with you, it's hella stupid, but Busan is my hooommeee nowwwww ^^

[southernman]

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

Nice enough students...what more can you ask for?? Certainly would be an improvement over what I have now, lol...

Anyway, thank you so much for the info! Anybody else have anything to share?