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locthebloke
Joined: 18 Aug 2011
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 Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:38 am Post subject: Best way to try for a GEPIK job for Spring 2012? |
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Hi all. A friend of mine who is leaving for Goyang at the end of the month has gotten me quite interested in trying my hand at a teaching job in Korea. He got his job through our university's ESL program which has connections in GEPIK. Though I have not spoken with the head of the program yet, someone in her office said she didn't think they were going to send anyone in Spring... Is this just the school program's prerogative or is there actually a chance there will be no Spring 2012 GEPIK contracts? (I have been doing a lot of research and it is my understanding that GEPIK is scaling back positions?)
If it should be possible to get a GEPIK contract and it turns out I can't go through my uni's ESL program like my friend, what would be the best way to go about trying to secure a GEPIK contract for Spring 2012? Perhaps someone who recently got a GEPIK job might have some advice for me? I realize these kinds of questions are asked a lot, but the volume of threads is overwhelming and I'd prefer to have one place I can check back at for any advice. Even after reading a lot of these forums I'm a little at a loss as to how to get this going (I know it's probably a little early to even start the process for this spring).
Thanks! |
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minos
Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Location: kOREA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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lol, goyang....now that's a boring place that requires a car. Commuter city with large distances between communities.
I doubt they'll fire all teachers....and why not try SMOE or even leave a University for a PS gig? |
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| minos wrote: |
lol, goyang....now that's a boring place that requires a car. Commuter city with large distances between communities.
I doubt they'll fire all teachers....and why not try SMOE or even leave a University for a PS gig? |
My gf lives in Goyang - 30 minutes to downtown Seoul on line 3, about 20 minutes to Seoul Station on the Gyeongui line, 10 to DMC which is a straight shot to Itaewon if you're so inclined, plenty of buses around there, taxis from there to the west side of town are plentiful and cheap. It's actually a great place - outside of the city but still close. Granted, you COULD get stuck on the rural edge of Goyang, but you could be stuck IN Seoul far from a decent bus line and subway station, so it's a wash.
OP, the province cut the budget for GEPIK. They say they'll start hiring again for March, but the truth is they don't know if they'll have the money or not. You want to work there, just get a recruiter. Have ALL of your documents in order, contact a recruiter (notably worknplay or korvia - they are the big public school recruiters) and tell them what you want. If I were you, I'd study a map of the province and know where you want to be. You want to be near your friend, okay, but do some research on transportation - you could both be in Goyang and be an hour away from each other, and looking at a map it may seem that living in Seoul near Sinchon Station would be fantastic for getting to Goyang using the Gyeongui line, but those trains only come once an hour. I.E. - do your homework. What is physically close could have terrible transportation options, and what is distant and away from any subway/train line could be sitting on the main bus route that runs 22 hours a day. |
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Pinehurst
Joined: 14 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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| I would start with ordering the FBI CRC in late Sept. since it takes 7 weeks and can not be older than 6 months on the start date which should be early March. Make sure that you have all your docs at time of interview. Look into getting the CRC apostille at your state not DC. If you must go the DC route do not use US mail it will add about 3 weeks to the normal 5 week wait. |
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jrwhite82
Joined: 22 May 2010
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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| minos wrote: |
lol, goyang....now that's a boring place that requires a car. Commuter city with large distances between communities.
I doubt they'll fire all teachers....and why not try SMOE or even leave a University for a PS gig? |
Someone has apparently never been to Goyang. I know very few people there who have cars here and they are all very happy.
Minos is right about applying to other positions as well. Don't limit your options. |
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ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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| nathanrutledge wrote: |
| minos wrote: |
lol, goyang....now that's a boring place that requires a car. Commuter city with large distances between communities.
I doubt they'll fire all teachers....and why not try SMOE or even leave a University for a PS gig? |
My gf lives in Goyang - 30 minutes to downtown Seoul on line 3, about 20 minutes to Seoul Station on the Gyeongui line, 10 to DMC which is a straight shot to Itaewon if you're so inclined, plenty of buses around there, taxis from there to the west side of town are plentiful and cheap. It's actually a great place - outside of the city but still close. Granted, you COULD get stuck on the rural edge of Goyang, but you could be stuck IN Seoul far from a decent bus line and subway station, so it's a wash.
...
You want to be near your friend, okay, but do some research on transportation - you could both be in Goyang and be an hour away from each other, and looking at a map it may seem that living in Seoul near Sinchon Station would be fantastic for getting to Goyang using the Gyeongui line, but those trains only come once an hour. I.E. - do your homework. What is physically close could have terrible transportation options, and what is distant and away from any subway/train line could be sitting on the main bus route that runs 22 hours a day. |
It isn't that tough to get around in Goyang. You know most people here migrate to Hwajeong or LaFesta/Jeongbalsan so two people could meet in the middle, no problem. Or just meet up in Seoul.
@ Sinchon/Seoul Station rail connection
There are the express buses which are a helluvalot more reliable than the Gyungui line- 1000,1200,1900,2000 with some local blue buses run to Ilsan faster than the train and they run later as well.
Edit: I forgot the MBus that runs to Madu in 2 stops. |
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locthebloke
Joined: 18 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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Hey guys, thanks for the insights. To be clear, I'm not necessarily looking to be stationed in Goyang, I'd just really like to be in Gyeonggi-do so I'd have to go through GEPIK (well unless I could get a SMOE job but I've heard it's hard to get one).
Also, while going in spring would be nice so I could potentially meet up with my friend, I'm not committed to it and would be fine leaving in a year (he may stay another year anyway). But it's probably way too early know what GEPIK's situation will by the time I'd start getting stuff together for an August leave, I assume?
It seems like on my time here I've heard nothing but bad about recruiters.. But if I somehow can't go through my university I wouldn't have any other choice really, no?
Seeing as I'm getting mixed responses about Goyang, does anyone have any recommendations as far as places to be stationed in Gyeonggi-do? (Also, where NOT to be? I've heard Yeoncheon is bad news). I know I may not have that kind of freedom but it would be nice to know anyway.
Thanks! |
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minos
Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Location: kOREA
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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| jrwhite82 wrote: |
| minos wrote: |
lol, goyang....now that's a boring place that requires a car. Commuter city with large distances between communities.
I doubt they'll fire all teachers....and why not try SMOE or even leave a University for a PS gig? |
Someone has apparently never been to Goyang. I know very few people there who have cars here and they are all very happy.
Minos is right about applying to other positions as well. Don't limit your options. |
I work part time there once a week.....It's a planned city with alot of new apartment buildings....and not much else. Alot of space between districts.
If your on the edge closer to seoul, it's not bad at all(if you only hang out around hongdae). I work near the opposite edge....pain in the butt getting around(think american suburbs and you'll know what I'm talking about). |
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