Korean Job Discussion Forums

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Is it necessary to write "hot water provided" in a Korean contract for housing? Should not hot water be provided in standard housing? Should I be expected to buy and install a water heater? Have you bought and installed a water heater in your apartment (provide by your university or hakwon)? Have you thought about it? Does your hakwon or university have a rule for rationing hot water and electricity?

Water Heaters
http://www.warmwater.net/
Rinnai
http://www.rinnaisale.co.kr/shop/shopbrand.html?xcode=002&type=X

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I lived in a place that allowed only 2 minutes of hot water in the morning during the winter...just enough to get my hair wet, not enough to rinse the shampoo out, much less wash the rest of me.

I mentioned it to an adult class I was teaching at the time. There was a remarkable lack of sympathy. Several students said they didn't have even 2 minutes of hot water. They seemed to think I was soft. The general consensus was not to complain about things you can't change.

My solution was to move to a place where I could control the amount of hot water.

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

If you taught here during the war, it's understandable to not have hot water, but now- NO WAY!!!

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Personally, I feel that if you are a mere foreign University instructor, rather than a full Korean professor with a Ph. D, you don't deserve hot water.

Nor do you deserve to be paid the same.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

What exactly does the contract say? Contracts used to say something like "western style housing". That would imply hot water.

kidcharlemagne · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

you seem to be way too demanding... and i guess you expect gas to come out of your gas range stove? and i suppose you expect them to provide you with a flushing toilet as opposed to having pigs living beneath the squatter, eating your sh*t? you sound like a complete momma's boy - suck it up and enjoy the cold showers in the winter, it'll make a man of you...

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:01 pm Post subject:

On the one hand, many foreigners assert that this country is little more than a 3rd world country got rich quick, and yet many expect to only find 1st world conditions.

The fact is, Korea is a bit of both.

Figure out what you truly need and what simply want, and act accordingly: It can make the difference between withholding your teaching services to buying yourself what isn't automatically provided.

We could all be a bit more careful with our assumptions and ensure we are getting what we expect.

BTW, my job is in a smaller community on an island, so I had reason to ask about specifics like quantity of hot water. This thread should be a wake-up call for those applying to the big cities too.

I often compare Korea with China, and am fortunate for the relative advantages, and adapt to the disadvantages (the saunas are cheap and plentiful - for the many times our boiler or water has had problems).

How much is a hot water heater? Offer to pay half. It's still a lot cheaper than paying for your own apartment and the cost is likely minimal over the length of your contract.

It's a little frustrating, yes. But I don't understand the anger, and the moral outrage.

Alyallen · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject:

To the OP,

I was in Korea back in 2002 as an exchange student living in the dorms. We didn't have hot water for very long either. I don't know if it is a standard for the winter but hey....I guess it saves water and energy bills. There truly is nothing more than invigorating than a cold shower Rolling Eyes

If you can get it written into your contract...go for it....But it seems like contract enforcement in general is an issue, so you might appear to be a crybaby over water....

Fight the good fight....When it comes down to it, I'd rather be without hot water, then without a paycheck...

AlyAllen

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

My univeristy has gotten a lot better in this regard. And it is all do to the change in the dorm's director. Before we had a hot water rationed, but now it seems to be there almost 24 hours a day. I think they actually save money by keeping the tank warm most of the day, instead of heating the thing up from cold three times. Now as the last sentence suggests, it is on most of the time.

As to the contract issue, one might want the word utilities placed into the contract, maybe even stating what utilities will be provided.

I hate going with out a hot shower. I could really live in Korea without central heat, a space heater would be fine, but I can't live without a hot shower.... it has become second nature to me.

own_king · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Location: here

OP I'm with you. Hot water is essential especially in the winter and especially since most bathrooms are not heated. But I do agree that maybe it is best not to make such a big deal about it. Hot water heaters are not very expensive. You can pick one up at Carrefour or LG Mart for about 50,000 Won or thereabouts. I think getting the school to pitch in half is a good idea though. Believe me come winter you'll be glad you have it.