Korean Job Discussion Forums

[The Great Toad]

I got the reject slip from EPIK for a sweet Bussan (ok well I should have gotten a Boys Industrial Middle school so maybe not that sweet ) public school job --- here is the quote




Dear <Lord Toad>,

Thank you for your interest in EPIK, Korea's public teaching opportunity.
After taking time to fully consider your application, we regret to inform you that your application has not passed this stage of the application process.

We strive to evaluate each individual application on a thorough and objective basis. Therefore, our decision is final and not eligible for appeal. Also, please understand that we are not permitted to release any information related to the reasons for not passing any applicant. We strive to select candidates that will be a strong fit for a public school English teaching position in South Korea. Your application was not passed to the next stage of the process because our staff was not convinced that you were a strong fit for our program. So, the decision is not necessarily a reflection of your ability or qualifications as a teacher, but rather your suitability for EPIK.

We appreciate your understanding and we hope that there are other opportunities for you to work abroad or pursue your interest in international education.


Regards,
<xxxxxxxxx>
EPIK Coordinator
Room 301, 43 Ihwajang-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-810
Republic of Korea
+82.2.3668.1400

English Program in Korea
www.epik.go.kr

The last time I was this hurt and anguished was when my current school decided to strictly follow my contract and had me teach TWENTY - 4 weeks of solid 5 days in January Winter camp with ZERO extra pay - imagine my indignation when I saw not only would I not get extra camp pay but the camp would last basically the whole of January. Horrendous and gross it was.....

Anyhow this hurtful rejection has made me defensively think it is becasue:

A: I am not quite a 22-24 year old blond haired blue eyed boy- AGE
B: I would start out at the top of their pay scale - HIGH WAGES

Regardless I am very hurt about this and I guess I will have to go back and work for the US gov again or some stupid law enforcement job where I will get killed... no I think I should just go back to being a lifeguard again maybe get a job with David Hasselhoff- this higher thinking type job bosses are not on to my great thinking they just want hawt girls and guys to do esl right out of uni they can pay 1.9 mil a month to... I think I am going to call Lee MUng Bak and complain after I post this...

Anyhow anyone else here who may end up in Formosa or Thailand teaching in Sept?

[Fishead soup]

EPIK is famous for it's 11 month contract to get out of having to follow Korean law a provide a months salary. It was a mutation of the Koretta program.

[Weigookin74]

[The Great Toad]

Thanks Mr Fishhead that makes me feel better - I am still sad about it I would have enjoyed Busan.

[Fishead soup]

EPIK was formed becouse the Korean was listening to disgruntled Korean teachers complain that the working conditions, and contracts offered the original Wannamin were too generouse.

The Koretta teachers were making over 2000 dollars and paid in US dollars they were getting the same vacations as the Korean teachers.
There were no camps no workshops no seat warming.

The first EPIK contracts were horrible. Most of the first timers in EPIK were completely left alone in the classroom despite the fact that most of them were told they would be co-teachings. Lots of teachers had to stay in homestays while waiting for appropriate housing.

EPIK has a very checkered history.

[cragesmure]

[decolyon]

It's the salary thing. I'm upper mid on their salary scale, in Korea now, with all documents ready for a new visa tomorrow if had to, and glowing recommendations. Got basically the same letter.

It's a schools market now. They're flooded with FOB grads from State side that will bust hump 40+ hrs for 2MKW and wont complain about desk warming. If I was a manager, I'd hire those people to.

I've also seen a lot, and by a lot I mean somewhere around 30% of a hundred or so, contracts that exclude housing. I said that was going to be the next thing to go and I was right. First I said lower salaries. Came true. Then I said self-funded flights. Came true. Then I said no housing. Came true. Next, they'll lobby to get the completion bonus cut totally or at least, cut in half. Mark my words. I'm like a psychic man. That's what having a business degree will do to a man. Just train you to look at a situation and how to maximize revenue by eliminating inefficiencies and redundancies. Cutting fat here, plugging leaks there. Business school took my soul away and replaced with Terminator like vision. Everything is a dollar. Everything has a cost to benefit ratio. And right now my friends, we all provide the same service... a pretty white face. Just some come a hell of a lot cheaper than others.

[soupsandwich]

O.P..,

There are worse things in life. EPIK is becoming more of a joke, along with most other public school contracts.


You have other options.

1. China
2. Japan
3. Vietnam
4. Taiwan


Korea is not the "end all, be all" market in the ESL industry.

You can also still go with a private school.....but you would be taking your chances.


Best of luck, OP.


soupsandwich