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DLat
Joined: 05 Apr 2011
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 Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 9:51 am Post subject: GEPIK recruiters and other newby questions |
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I�m strongly considering applying to GEPIK for an ALT position next spring. I�m American. I will receive my BA in August, then plan to take a TEFL course in September/October. I have some questions for any here who have experience or opinions to share.
1. Which recruiters have a good track record for placing teachers with GEPIK? There seem to be many out there� I�ve found online CorVia, Reach to Teach, Footprints, TeachAway, GreenHeart, Korean Connections, Korean Horizon, WorkNPlay, TeachESLKorea. Which are good ones? Who should I steer clear of?
2. For GEPIK, is it best to choose just one recruiter to work with? Or do they have access to different positions, which might make it better to work with more than one?
3. Is it true that one should not apply to both GEPIK and EPIK? If I don�t get accepted to GEPIK, I would hope for an EPIK placement somewhere else in South Korea. But I think from what I�ve read, that Korean schools frown on people applying to both.
4. How competitive is GEPIK? Is EPIK the same? I will have a BA in math and a 120+ hour TEFL certificate. Work experience, but no teaching experience. White male. I�ve heard that there is less demand for men. What do you think my chances are with GEPIK or EPIK?
I appreciate any answers or advice from more experienced members here. |
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vw08
Joined: 08 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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Based on my experience..
1. I've worked with Footprints and Korean Horizons and have had a good experience with both. Check out the thread on recruiting firms and you'll find out a bit more about which to work with or avoid.
2. No idea, a current GEPIKer might have a better idea.
3. Go ahead and apply to both. There are other programs available for you to apply for throughout Korea if you want to teach at a public school. Several provinces do their own hiring in addition to hiring EPIK teachers.
4. Competitiveness changes year to year depending upon how many positions are available and how many applicants they receive.
There's my two cents. Good Luck!! |
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DLat
Joined: 05 Apr 2011
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks VW for your answers. I'll go check the other thread about recruiters you mentioned.
I hadn't figured out that there were some public schools that hire outside of EPIK/GEPIK. Knowing that now makes more sense of some recruiters sites I've seen. I really hope for GEPIK. I want to be near to Seoul without being in the city. |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Ttompatz has a great quote about recruiters that pretty much says "use as many as you can as they're not here to help you, they're just here to place you so they can earn a dime."
With GEPIK the school hires you before you come to Korea, so dont let a recruiter push you into a position that sounds fishy.
You can apply to EPIK and GEPIK. Lots of people do it.
It sounds like you may need to do a bit more research. 
searcheslcafe.com is pretty helpful (if you need answers sooner than later).
GEPIK can be very competitive in the nicer, newer, "planned" cities that are closer to Seoul. There are rural locations (some in name only, and some that really are in the middle of nowhere) that you can probably get into easily. |
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NohopeSeriously
Joined: 17 Jan 2011
Location: The Christian Right-Wing Educational Republic of Korea
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| Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 6:45 am Post subject: |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
| There are rural locations (some in name only, and some that really are in the middle of nowhere) that you can probably get into easily. |
I would never recommend rural GEPIK schools. Even an 8 year veteran NET wouldn't agree to place his position there. |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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| NohopeSeriously wrote: |
| shostahoosier wrote: |
| There are rural locations (some in name only, and some that really are in the middle of nowhere) that you can probably get into easily. |
I would never recommend rural GEPIK schools. Even an 8 year veteran NET wouldn't agree to place his position there. |
I'm in a rural GEPIK location and I love it. In fact I'm renewing again. I know of others who have the same feelings, and they're all young and outgoing like me. If you're social enough, you can have a fun time anywhere. 
I said "name only" though because I have some friends who technically work in rural schools, but they're under an hour away from Seoul by subway (faster by bus/taxi).
There seems to be no set standard in determining what rural is in Gyeonggi (school wise).
GEPIK may be slightly more competitive this year though because they are cutting a lot of teachers - which means that many of the more rural schools probably wont receive a NET anyway. |
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different
Joined: 22 May 2003
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| Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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I'm in an anti-Gyeonngi mood today. I think a rural Gyeonggi area will have the racism. simple-mindedness, and lifelessness of Bumblefuck Korea married with the arrogance of Seoul, as if it's part of Seoul. The worst of both worlds.
Last edited by different on Sat May 28, 2011 3:35 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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| different wrote: |
| I'm in an anti-Gyeonngi mood today. I think a rural Gyeonggi area will have the racism and lifelessness of Bumblefuck married with the arrogance of Seoul. The worst of both worlds. |
Maybe I'm not being clear in what I posted.
SOME RURAL DESIGNATED SCHOOLS IN GYEONGGI ARENT RURAL.
That being said, ESID. Some rural places probably are "lifeless and racist" (not sure I can necessarily say Seoul isnt either of these two things) but mine isnt. Ive been here for 2 years and people in my town are still fascinated with me. I'm sure there are people in my area that hate foreigners, but I spend most of my time with the plenty of people who dont, so I wouldnt know.
Then again, quite a few people in my town (parents and college grads) went to college in Seoul (I know at least 4 SKY grads who live around me) and then moved out because they wanted clean air, larger housing, or they just wanted their kids to experience a slower paced Korea - so maybe thats why they're a bit more open minded.
I would definitely recommend that an ESL teacher pick a more urban area, but with GEPIK, since you have the benefit of knowing where you'll work before you arrive, I wanted the OP to know that sometimes when the school says rural, it actually isnt.
Best thing to do: look at a map and dont trust your recruiter.
Last edited by shostahoosier on Sat May 28, 2011 4:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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different
Joined: 22 May 2003
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| Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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| I updated my previous post to make it more clear and sour. Anyway, I'm not saying Seoul is open-minded or truly alive either, but it's better than a rural area of Gyeonggi-do will be. Have you ever stood outside on the street talking to female students from your own middle or high school? Watch every other ajosshi stop and give you a dirty look. And my experience is that all those Koreans who continue to be fascinated with you for more than a few minutes have problems truly seeing you as a human being or connecting with you in a meaningful way. |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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| different wrote: |
| I updated my previous post to make it more clear and sour. Anyway, I'm not saying Seoul is open-minded or truly alive either, but it's better than a rural area of Gyeonggi-do will be. Have you ever stood outside on the street talking to female students from your own middle or high school? Watch every other ajosshi stop and give you a dirty look. And my experience is that all those Koreans who continue to be fascinated with you for more than a few minutes have problems truly seeing you as a human being or connecting with you in a meaningful way. |
I updated my post too.
I'm not saying wanting Seoul is bad either as it's the best you can do in Korea.
I'm sure the ajosshi would stare at me in Seoul too if I stopped and talked to high school girls. I dont really have a lot of concern for people staring though. I stare back (politely) and that always seems to work.
As for your experience with Koreans - like I said every situation is different, and I can tell the difference between being treated like a token, acquaintance or friend. I have that same problem in problem in Seoul. It's not the rural location, it's Korea.
This isnt me defending all of Korea or being an apologist, this is me defending my location. A rural area (or even Gyeonggi) might be a horrible experience for some people but in my situation it isnt.
You'll have a better chance at having a fun time in Korea if you go with a larger city, but there are some real (rural) gems out there too. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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There seems to be no set standard in determining what rural is in Gyeonggi (school wise).
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The issue has been brought up at different orientations.There are rules for it and there is a master list but GEPIK refuses to post the list on their website. |
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NohopeSeriously
Joined: 17 Jan 2011
Location: The Christian Right-Wing Educational Republic of Korea
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| Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
| I'm in a rural GEPIK location and I love it. In fact I'm renewing again. I know of others who have the same feelings, and they're all young and outgoing like me. If you're social enough, you can have a fun time anywhere. |
I'm assuming you're working at a middle school. Middle schools in a real rural Gyeonggi-do area aren't as typically bad as rural elementary schools.
I taught in a very rural elementary school in Anseong. It's what you call a "worse than a hagweon" scenario because these kind of non-enterprise schools will rape you energy in a bad way.
| Quote: |
| GEPIK may be slightly more this year though because they are cutting a lot of teachers - which means that many of the more rural schools probably wont receive a NET anyway. |
GEPIK is horribly managed from the inside. GEPIK will royally screw itself as some veteran GEPIK teachers I've talked to. |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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| NohopeSeriously wrote: |
| shostahoosier wrote: |
| I'm in a rural GEPIK location and I love it. In fact I'm renewing again. I know of others who have the same feelings, and they're all young and outgoing like me. If you're social enough, you can have a fun time anywhere. |
I'm assuming you're working at a middle school. Middle schools in a real rural Gyeonggi-do area aren't as typically bad as rural elementary schools.
I taught in a very rural elementary school in Anseong. It's what you call a "worse than a hagweon" scenario because these kind of non-enterprise schools will rape you energy in a bad way.
| Quote: |
| GEPIK may be slightly more this year though because they are cutting a lot of teachers - which means that many of the more rural schools probably wont receive a NET anyway. |
GEPIK is horribly managed from the inside. GEPIK will royally screw itself as some veteran GEPIK teachers I've talked to. |
No, I work at a real rural elementary school. I teach K-12 and love it. The two closest elementary schools have 23 and 110 students respectively (I think they've both lost their NETs)...so yes..I dont live anywhere near a city. Like I said thought, ESID, as a guy further down the road hated his rural school.
I dont entirely understand your last sentence, but if you're saying what I think you're saying I'm inclined to agree. GEPIK is horribly managed and probably will find that they have screwed themselves with the whole new intake thing. Unfortunately, EPIK is horribly managed too (from what I've heard) so I guess that doesnt leave many options if you're in Korea...which is why the next contract will be my last. |
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NohopeSeriously
Joined: 17 Jan 2011
Location: The Christian Right-Wing Educational Republic of Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:54 am Post subject: |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
No, I work at a real rural elementary school. I teach K-12 and love it. The two closest elementary schools have 23 and 110 students respectively (I think they've both lost their NETs)...so yes..I dont live anywhere near a city. Like I said thought, ESID, as a guy further down the road hated his rural school.
I dont entirely understand your last sentence, but if you're saying what I think you're saying I'm inclined to agree. GEPIK is horribly managed and probably will find that they have screwed themselves with the whole new intake thing. Unfortunately, EPIK is horribly managed too (from what I've heard) so I guess that doesnt leave many options if you're in Korea...which is why the next contract will be my last. |
It seems that you're a very lucky case. A rare case.
And you did understand my thoughts perfectly. GEPIK is totally mismanaged. |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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| NohopeSeriously wrote: |
It seems that you're a very lucky case. A rare case.
And you did understand my thoughts perfectly. GEPIK is totally mismanaged. |
Oh yes, I agree that I lucked out with my location.
RE: GEPIK
What I dont understand is - why are things managed so poorly?!
I dont need someone from GEPIK to hold my hand, but it would be nice if someone could answer my occasional questions.
Why is the "Dr. GEPIK" book always one year behind when they pass it out at "training"?
What are the coordinator's duties? As far as I'm concerned mine is completely useless. I've been here for about 2 years and I've gotten maybe 4 emails from her, 3 of them being completely useless and the other being incorrect information (so I guess that makes them all useless).
Ive heard of other coordinators being awesome, but I dont think that mine even does the minimum.
I'm sure it would get annoying to try to keep hundreds of foreign teachers happy, but thats not what I'm asking for....I just want someone to answer my questions HONESTLY and to keep me updated about changes.
These arent hard things to do.
Sadly if it werent for Dave's or really helpful Korean friends, I would be in the dark about a lot of things (visa documents, taxes, contract changes etc.). |
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