Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GreyRabbit]

Hullo,

It seems to me that many people who go to teach in Korea start out single (as in, not married, regardless of a bf or gf) and I also read somewhere that women who find out they're pregnant have a higher chance of getting the boot because the boss doesn't wanna pay maternity leave or whatever.

As for me, I'm engaged, and my intended and I both would like to go to Korea to teach after we get married (both his parents are Korean and they moved to the U.S., so he's Korean-American as he was born here). Are there enough jobs for married couples? Or do they strongly prefer singles?

Thanks

[jrwhite82]

Your best bet for a couple's position is to shoot your applications out to as many employers and recruiters as possible. There are not a lot of couple's positions by comparison to singles, but there also are not a lot of couples coming here.

Another idea, would be for one of you to apply first and get accepted, then the other can follow and find work on the ground. You said your fiance is Korean-American. He should be able to qualify for an F-4 visa then. This is very beneficial to you. First, it gives him a lot of freedom with work. Therefore, if you can't find a couple's position, you can get a singles position, and he can come with you without a job. Then find one near by once you get here.

I'm not sure if the spouse of an F-4 visa holder is eligible for an F-2 visa. That would be great for you, because it would give you the same freedom in finding work. Something you should definitely look into.

GEPIK/EPIK have also been known to place couples in the same town. So they are worth a shot as well.

One of you can get an apartment and the other can collect the housing allowance from your employer. More money in the bank!

[nikki15]

My husband and I got married before we came to Korea too. We actually only went through one recruiter, and had to two jobs we could choose between. I think it is a little more difficult to find a couple job, but I see postings for them...I am no expert though. I doubt you will have any problems. But, I would apply though many recruiters like the previous poster said so that you have more options.

We also have a very big two bedroom apartment that was provided by our Hagwon

[GreyRabbit]

Thanks!!

And if I were to get pregnant whilst there, would I be likely to get the boot or something similar, even though I was married?

[jrwhite82]

I think you'd have better luck with a public school if you plan on getting pregnant. GEPIK provides 2 months paid maternity leave and one month unpaid in their contracts. Whereas hagwon contracts don't provide this, and usually have a clause saying if you miss over 3 days of work they can fire you.

But I honestly don't know any women who have gotten the GEPIK maternity leave. And I also don't know any E2 visa holders that got pregnant while here and stayed through their pregnancy. So my knowledge is based on the same things you have read probably. But I do know the differences between the contracts.

If your plan is to get pregnant here, you definitely want to look into what kind of medical services are available to you. They do things a little differently here.

Furthermore, if you do lose your job (and therefore E2 visa) you can switch to a dependent visa that is connected to your husband's E2/F4...I think.

Edit: I forgot to mention, if you are applying for a couple's position, expect all kinds of personal questions about your plans to have children. Your best bet is to probably not tell them you plan on having children after you arrive.

[emmahearst]

Yeah but if both of you find jobs, it's like a dream come true. Nothing is easy.

[willteachforfood]

There are plenty of couples working here and plenty of couple jobs.

We even were offered jobs at 6 different universities to work as a couple.....only one of the schools we applied to had a no-couple policy. Of course this was after we were already in Korea, you'll have to start at a public school or hagwon when coming from overseas.

[naturegirl321]

I'm married, but support my hubsnad since he studies. If you want to work int he SAME school, it might be hard. But it should be pretty easy to find work in the same town.

For housing, your work might get you a bigger place or you could ask both your schools for housing allowances. Just keep in mind you'll have to come up with key money.

SOME schools might offer bigger houses to married couples. I have a few friends, wife works, husband stays at home, that get bigger housing.

[naturegirl321]

[GreyRabbit]

Thanks so much for the advice! Yea, I'm not planning on getting pregnant while there, but I just wanna be prepared as much as possible, just in case it does happen =)

[willteachforfood]

[naturegirl321]

[loubird]

Hello, I am currently pregnant, working at a public school through GEPIK, and married to a Korean-American man. I told my school this week (that is I told my co-teacher, who will tell the vice principal when the time is right). I also asked a GEPIK coordinator if I really am entitled to maternity leave, and she assured me that I was.

Everything will be fine for you if you do happen to get pregnant over here as long as you have a good relationship with your school and aren't incompetent. In fact, having a baby over here is actually much less expensive than having a baby in the U.S., and the government will even offer you a debit card just to help cover the (truly minimal) costs.

My husband did not get an F4, as we could not get all of the required paperwor, and we were afriad that if he was in the Korean family registry he might be made to serve in the army (the consulate warned us it was possible). We both have E2 visas and live together in an officetel (small apt) that is provided by my school. His school gives him a housing allowance, so that's a nice bonus too. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

[GreyRabbit]

[GreyRabbit]