Korean Job Discussion Forums

EmilyEmily · Joined: 13 Jun 2011

I am going to Jeju with EPIK in August. I own a couple suits but would prefer not to bring them since I wore them only on parent nights and job interviews this past year and they usually sit in my closet. I don't want to waste the suitcase space. Do I need them, honestly? I have plenty of semi-professional work outfits (blouses, skirts, trousers, dresses) that I wore all the time as a teacher in the US, so will this pretty much be acceptable?

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Highly depends on your school, but usually women have a lot more leeway. Also, if you are young and attractive and you work at an all boys' school stay away from skirts.

tomstar86 · Joined: 09 May 2009 Location: Daegu, South Korea

Depends on the school.

For example, I'm not allowed to wear shorts at my hagwon - then again, I'm male and my gorilla legs would either a) terrify my students or b) result in students swinging on said leg hair.

The (all slim) female teachers in my hagwon walk around in hot pants with their asses hanging out, or in skin tight jeans, complete with killer heels.

Don't pack anything that shows a lot of boob or shoulder if you can help it (no spaghetti straps) - your employer will thank you for it.

Tom

http://waegook-tom.com

isisaredead · Joined: 18 May 2010

do what most normal, adult, teachers do in this country - dress as you would for any professional job.

i don't understand how teachers wear shorts and a t-shirt to work in this country.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

AtmaWeapon · Joined: 30 Jun 2011

There is a major double standard in the dress code for teachers here, at least from what I have seen at my hagwon. Girls are literally allowed to wear whatever they want, while guys have to wear pants with a dress shirt or polo. I've brought this up at a meeting but I still haven't gotten an answer as to why this is.

rainism · Joined: 13 Apr 2011

ajosshi · Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Location: ajosshi.com

Airborne9 · Joined: 01 Jun 2010

As most people have said it depends on your school. As its an EPIK School and if you are a man youll your best bet to to bring plenty of shirts or polo shirts and proper pants such as slacks or suit pants. no need to bring the full suit. They may want you to wear a tie but probably not.

yellowdove · Joined: 19 Aug 2009

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

partyjunkie101 · Joined: 13 Apr 2011

yeah women can wear whatever they like it seems. I'll be honest, i've been a bit of a rebel of late and coming in every 2 days with a t-shirt on. nobody has said a thing. If they do my response will be that they polo's are in the wash. How bizzare that men are targeted in schools while women can wear skirts up to their arses or baggy shorts.

My advice would be never go in shirt and tie on your first day cause that sets the standard for the rest of your time there. just play it casual as possible. its working for me!

trying2getthere · Joined: 10 Oct 2010

Congrats on landing the EPIK job!

I'm not sure about public school, but at my hogwon I wear what would be considered causal office attire everyday: dresses with proper sleeves (no sleeveless dresses or tank-tops here), blouses/shirts, skirts, dress slacks/khakis, and the occasional pair of jeans when there's 4 inches of snow outside. Keep in mind that you're coming when it is HOTTT. You won't want to be wearing anything. Lately I've been wearing strictly skirts and dresses. If you have any cap-sleeve cardigans, you'll want to bring them along to throw over tanks.

Also CONTRARY to what another poster said, you CAN'T buy everything here. You can get t-shirts, but they're all one size DOESN'T fit most foreigners (especially if you're a woman with anything over a B cup). You'll be able to find plenty of shoes, if you're under size 8. The largest skirt size they have in most stores is medium. Sometimes you have to ask for it because they don't keep it out on the sales floor. Also, you have to do an extensive search to find a skirt that's long enough (most Koreans wear MINI skirts... I simply don't feel comfortable in that length everyday, especially while teaching).

This is my experience living in Gwangju. Things may be different than the above in Seoul, but I think many posters here forget that not everyone is going to be living there. I've never been to jeju, but I understand that, since the shipping is expensive to get goods to this island, the selection is even more limited and more expensive.

Back to your original question, I don't think there's any reason to bring the full suit, but don't come over with a suitcase full of spaghetti straps and shorts, either. Hope that helps.

Best of luck! I hope you love it here, I do!